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In modern education, success shouldn’t be confined to grades alone. It’s time to broaden our definition of valuing skills like critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. By shifting the focus from grades to skills, we can empower students to thrive in a world that is always changing.
Although learning how to figure out if a triangle is obtuse or acute is super fun, what about the crucial information we need to know in order to be successful adults? There are growing concerns from students about how to handle the real world once they are out of school, concerns like how to do taxes, how to live on their own, how to support themselves. When asked if he had any concerns about the lack of education on being an independent adult and how to live successfully, Lee Nelson, senior, responded with “It’s good that we have classes like financial literacy, but sometimes I think the content is too baseline,” he starts, “It’s important to know how to budget, what a mortgage is and why saving is important, but sometimes it feels like they’re just feeding us things we already know, rather than teaching us more valuable financial skills we will actually use.” Here we see another great example of why life skills should be taught along with the importance of getting good grades. Like Nelson mentioned, it just feels like they’re teaching already known knowledge.
Along with the lack of crucial information on being a functioning member of society, there seems to be a lack of a creative outlet for a lot of students. Creativity is essential to the everyday lives of adults for numerous reasons. Firstly, it fosters problem-solving skills, enabling individuals to approach challenges with innovative solutions. Whether it’s finding a new approach to a work project or solving a personal dilemma, creativity allows adults to think outside the box. Additionally, creativity enhances communication and collaboration by encouraging individuals to express themselves uniquely and engage with diverse perspectives. Creative pursuits offer a means of self-expression and stress relief, promoting mental well-being in the midst of daily pressures. Overall, creativity infuses vitality into adult lives, enriching experiences, fostering personal growth, and cultivating a more vibrant and fulfilling existence. There are even health benefits to being a creative person. Forbes Magazine states that “Creativity reduces anxiety, depression, and stress… And it can also help you process trauma. Studies have found that writing helps people manage their negative emotions in a productive way, and painting or drawing helps people express trauma or experiences that they find too difficult to put into words.” so it even improves mental health, emotional connections and life skills.
Overall, creativity infuses vitality into adult lives, enriching experiences, fostering personal growth, and cultivating a more vibrant and fulfilling existence
Emotional connections are vital in the real world for several reasons. First, they foster empathy and understanding, enabling individuals to relate to others’ experiences and perspectives. This improves communication, teamwork, and collaboration, essential in personal and professional settings. Emotional connections also provide a sense of belonging and support, reducing loneliness and promoting mental well-being. They strengthen relationships, creating bonds of trust and loyalty, crucial for personal and professional success. Moreover, emotional connections enrich life experiences, providing meaning, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. Ultimately, they contribute to a happier, healthier, and more connected society. Along with emotional strength and being able to make those connections, mental health can play a big role in being able to build those connections along with also strengthening them. However, some feel as if school doesnt help with improving mental health. Sure there are resources such as Hope Squad and school guidance counselors, but some students feel like they just aren’t enough. When asked if she feels like the school does enough to help improve students’ mental health, Emma Hedgepth, senior, said “No, there’s a bunch of things they could do to help. One of them is moving school even an hour later even if it means getting out later. Having more filling meals, changing the grading system so it’s more lenient would help a lot.”
In conclusion, integrating life skills into high school curriculum is essential for preparing students to move onto adulthood successfully. By giving them practical knowledge and competencies in areas such as financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, we empower students to thrive in many different personal, academic, and professional settings. Instilling these skills fosters resilience, adaptability, and a sense of self-efficacy, ultimately contributing to the holistic development of individuals capable of making informed choices and contributing positively to society. As we strive to empower the next generation, prioritizing life skills education in high schools is not just advantageous but imperative for shaping competent, responsible, and well-rounded citizens.