Schools should be teaching more life skills and less about non-useful subject-matter-related material. In this article, we run down the 10 things that need to be added to the curriculum.
Every year, millions of students graduate from high school and college, ready to take on the world. And every year, they’re met with the same harsh reality: the things they thought they learned in school just aren’t enough.
Yes, math, reading, and writing are essential skills. But what about money management? What about networking? What about interviews?
In this blog post, we’re going to talk about things like these that your schools should be teaching you but probably aren’t. As you read through each of these, ask yourself how you can address each of the shortfalls. Let’s begin!
1. How to do your taxes
Unless you’re one of the lucky few who have a simple tax return, filing taxes can be a confusing and stressful process. But it’s something that every adult has to do, so it’s important to learn the basics. At the very least, you should know how to file a 1040EZ form.
The 1040EZ form is used by taxpayers who have uncomplicated financial situations. In order to be eligible to use this form, taxpayers must meet certain criteria, including having a taxable income of less than $100,000 and not being claiming any dependents.
The 1040EZ form is relatively straightforward to fill out and can be completed in just a few minutes. Taxpayers will need to provide their personal information, as well as their adjusted gross income and the amount of taxes they owe.
Once the form is complete, taxpayers can simply sign and date it and mail it off to the IRS. By using the 1040EZ form, taxpayers can save themselves time and effort when filing their taxes.
2. How to manage your money
From loans and credit cards to investments and savings accounts, there’s a lot to know when it comes to managing your money. Unfortunately, most schools don’t offer any sort of financial literacy course. As a result, many young adults graduate from college with no idea how to handle their money.
A lot of people don’t know how to manage their money when they become an adult, and it can result in some pretty big consequences. For instance, if you don’t keep track of how much money you’re spending, you might end up overdrawing your bank account.
Or, if you don’t create a budget, you could end up racking up a lot of debt on your credit cards. Another mistake people make is not having any savings. This can lead to financial problems if you have an unexpected expense, like a car repair or medical bill.
So, it’s important to be aware of these common mistakes and take steps to avoid them. By doing so, you’ll be on your way to financial success.
3. How to network effectively
In today’s job market, it’s not enough to just be qualified for a position. You also have to be able to sell yourself and network with potential employers. But networking can be difficult, especially if you’re shy or introverted. That’s why it would be helpful if more schools taught students how to network effectively.
Networking can be a great way to meet new people and learn about new opportunities. However, it can also be overwhelming and confusing, especially for students who are just starting out. Here are a few tips that can help make networking a little easier:
Start by reaching out to your family and friends. They can introduce you to other people who share your interests and goals.
Get involved in clubs and organizations that align with your career goals. This is a great way to meet potential mentors and get your foot in the door of your desired industry.
Attend networking events and conferences relevant to your field. This is a great way to meet people from all over the country who are experts in their field.
Follow up with the people you meet. Send them an email or LinkedIn message after you meet them, and keep in touch so you don’t lose touch.
4. How to write a resume
A well-written resume is essential for landing any job you apply for. But writing a resume is harder than it looks. From formatting to choosing which experiences and skills to highlight, there’s a lot that goes into crafting the perfect resume.
And by “perfect” resume, we mean perfect for the job to which you’re applying. There really is no generic “perfect” resume, so don’t think that there is. However, you can use elements from each resume in the customization of a resume for sending to a new position.
5. How to negotiate salary
When it comes to job offers, negotiation is key. After all, most employers aren’t going to offer you the highest possible salary right off the bat. They’ll usually start with a lower number and leave it up to you to negotiate for more.
But negotiating can be difficult, especially if you’re not sure what you’re doing. That’s why it would be helpful if more schools taught students how to negotiate salary.
Here are a few tips for negotiating salary:
Do your research. Find out the average salary for the position you’re applying for so you have an idea of what to expect.
Know your worth. Be confident in your skills and experience when negotiating salary.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. If an employer isn’t willing to meet your salary requirements, you might have to look elsewhere.
Walking away from an offer can be tempting when you’ve only got one on the table. And maybe desperation means that you will have to accept the position. But don’t be afraid to voice that upon accepting any offers under what you want. That shows ambition, which can lead to your new bosses offering you more opportunities up the road.
6. How to dress for success
First impressions are important, especially in the workplace. That’s why it’s important to know how to dress for success. Unfortunately, this is something that many schools don’t teach.
Of course, the way you dress will vary depending on the industry you’re in. But there are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure you’re dressing appropriately for the workplace:
Avoid overly casual clothes. Even if the dress code at your office is casual, it’s important to avoid clothes that are too sloppy or revealing.
Stick to neutral colors. Bright colors and patterns can be distracting in the workplace.
Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. This shows that you’re professional and put-together.
Avoid excessive jewelry and makeup. Keep your look simple and polished.
7. How to manage your time
Time management is essential in the workplace. If you don’t know how to manage your time, you’ll quickly fall behind and get overwhelmed. And this is something that schools don’t teach enough of. Here are a few tips for managing your time:
Create a to-do list. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anything important.
Prioritize tasks. Some tasks are more important than others, so make sure you’re prioritizing them correctly.
Set deadlines for yourself. This will help you stay on track and meet deadlines.
Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks occasionally so you don’t get burnt out.
These are just a few tips for managing your time effectively in the workplace. There are many other strategies that can help, so be sure to experiment until you find what works best for you.
8. How to buy a car
Many high school students start working part-time jobs in order to save up for a car. However, few of them have any experience with the car-buying process. As a result, they often end up making bad decisions that cost them a lot of money.
For example, they may buy a car that is too expensive or that doesn’t meet their needs. They may also fail to negotiate a good price with the seller.
Ideally, schools should teach students about the car-buying process so that they can avoid these pitfalls. Below are some tips that every student should know before buying a car.
Do your research: The first step is to figure out what kind of car you want and how much you can afford to spend. There are many resources available online and at your local library that can help you with this research.
Get pre-approved for a loan: Once you know how much you can afford to spend, get pre-approved for a loan from your bank or credit union. This will give you leverage when it comes time to negotiate the price of the car with the seller.
Take your time: Don’t rush into buying a car just because you’ve found one that you like. Take your time and make sure that you’re getting the best possible deal on the vehicle.
Have someone else inspect the car: Before you finalize the purchase, have an experienced mechanic inspect the car to make sure that it’s in good mechanical condition. This is especially important if you’re buying a used car.
Get everything in writing: Make sure that all of the terms of the sale are clearly stated in writing before you sign any paperwork. This will protect you in case there are any problems with the vehicle after you’ve purchased it.
And last but not least, explore more than one option with a simple mindset. You can walk away at any moment. That ability to walk away will keep sellers interested in giving you as good of a deal as possible.
9. How to handle conflict in the workplace
Conflict is inevitable in the workplace. However, it’s important to know how to handle it effectively so that it doesn’t disrupt productivity. Here are a few tips for dealing with conflict in the workplace that schools should be teaching you but aren’t:
Stay calm and don’t react emotionally.
Address the issue head-on, and be specific about what you want to achieve.
Listen to what the other person has to say, and try to understand their perspective.
Come to a resolution that is agreeable to both parties.
If you can follow these tips, you’ll be able to handle workplace conflict effectively and hopefully resolve it quickly. If you can’t, then get ready for a bumpy ride!
10. How to invest your money
Investing your money is one of the smartest things you can do for your future. However, it’s also something that many people don’t understand very well. As a result, they often make bad investment decisions that cost them a lot of money.
Ideally, schools should teach students about investing so that they can make informed decisions with their money. Below are a few tips that every student should know before investing their money:
Understand the risks and rewards of investing.
Don’t invest more than you can afford to lose.
Diversify your investments to minimize risk.
Research investments thoroughly before putting any money into them.
What Schools Should Teach Boils Down to Usefulness in Life
Whether it’s managing your money or networking with potential employers, there are some essential life skills that they just don’t teach you in school. And while learning these skills may not be part of the traditional educational experience, they’re nonetheless critical for success in life after graduation. So if you want to set yourself up for success, make sure you educate yourself on these 10 topics!
That said, this list is not entirely exhaustive. What are some things that you have been able to accomplish in spite of not being used to it in other situations? Sound off in the comments section below.
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
