High Schools should offer more life skill courses

By Jenna McLennan

April 30, 2021

I am in my senior year of high school, but I haven't learned much about how to make it through life after graduation. I haven’t learned how to pay bills, how credit works, or how to change a tire.

There are kids that do not have a parent to help support them after high school, and sometimes, they don’t even have the support while in high school. Schools do not know a kid’s support system. Because of that, schools all over should offer classes to help learn and navigate the real world.

Life is expensive, you should be taught to finance your money and learn the best way to pay bills. There should be classes that teach kids how to do all these things. Classes could go further than money, cooking classes, learning about cars and what to do when something breaks. There are simple life skills that every kid should know.

Many people say kids need to have general education, learning math, science etc. Yes, that is important, but how are kids supposed to live their own life not knowing how to even do so? Schools want you to succeed in life but don't give you help on how.

When you graduate, algebra and chemistry won't matter unless you're going to college for that. I am lucky enough to be taking a class right now called Financial algebra. It has taught me things that I have never even known about.

If we had more classes like the financial algebra class I take, and I will say it has helped me a tremendous amount, it would help millions of kids as well. I think kids would be more interested in the class. Many kids are excited to graduate and start their own life and with that knowledge they can.

I spoke to a senior in South Colonie and they had to say “In 10 years, the math we learn wont matter. I just started paying my phone bill and if it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't know where to send the money or how to even get in contact with the company to do so.”

Many students also enroll in colleges that they can't even afford, and end up in debt when they start their adult lives. If we had more classes that educated teens on the price of colleges, with all the hidden fees and tricks, they would be able to make smarter decisions for themselves.

Credit cards are a big deal as well. Many upcoming adults don't really know what a credit card is. They think it is free money and will blow through it fast. When that check comes in at the end of the month, and they have to pay it back, many don't have the money to do so and end up in debt.

Why should we have students waste their time learning things they will forget easily, when you could have them learning life lessons that they might remember better?

If classes that focused on life and how to navigate their futures were offered to students, it would encourage them to be more engaged and excited to be on their own as a successful adult.