5 Crucial Skills I Wish I’d Been Taught in School
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” Mark Twain’s famous words ring true for many of us when we reflect on our formal education. As invaluable as many of the lessons we learned in the classroom are, there are essential life skills that many of us had to learn on our own. Here are five crucial subjects I wish I’d been taught in school.
1. Filing Taxes: Nothing can be more daunting for young adults than navigating the labyrinth of income tax forms, deductions, credits, and other related information. The ability to understand tax terminology and to file taxes accurately is crucial in preventing costly mistakes and unnecessary stress. If taught in school, young people would approach this annual responsibility with much more confidence and ease.
2. Financial Literacy: In an era where personal debt is at an all-time high, learning how to budget, save, and invest money effectively is indispensable. Understanding credit, including the impacts of credit scores on purchasing decisions and how interest rates work, should be as fundamental as learning to read or write. This knowledge equips students to navigate the financial challenges of adulthood.
3. Critical Thinking in the Age of Misinformation: The era of memes, viral misinformation, and pseudo-scientific claims demands rigorous critical thinking skills. Schools must prioritize teaching students how to discern credible sources, identify biases, and independently evaluate the validity of information. These skills are invaluable in a world where false information can spread faster than ever before.
4. Responsible Social Media Use: In a world where our digital presence can significantly impact our personal and professional lives, understanding responsible social media use is vital. It’s essential to know what kind of information to share online, how to maintain privacy, how to build a professional online image, and understand the long-term implications of a digital footprint.
5. Starting a Business or Freelancing: Not every student will pursue a traditional career path. Many will turn to entrepreneurship or freelancing, yet our education system seldom prepares students for such ventures. Offering basic business education, such as creating a business plan, understanding marketing, and financial planning, can foster entrepreneurial spirit and open doors to non-traditional career paths.
As the philosopher Herbert Spencer once said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” The key is to transform our learning into actions that can shape our lives positively. If you’re interested in learning more about these skills or looking for support in your personal development journey, join my 12-week accountability coaching program. Let’s take steps toward our better selves together.