In the grand scheme of education, highschool is often viewed as the passageway students cross in order to have their futures molded for them through the classes they take and the curriculum they learn. While college preparation and career pathways are definitely prominent features in said curriculum, there is always a question floating around in the minds of students; specifically upperclassmen. Many of them wonder if high school genuinely prepares them for all the aspects of their future, specifically
independent living.
“After high school, I plan to major in biomedical engineering,” said Shayna Shekhar, 12. “I don’t think classes have prepared me for much outside of academics. I think career planning and the finance class is definitely necessary, but maybe culinary should be as well. Some people just can’t cook.”
Along with Shekhar, several other students believe that the education system’s requirements for graduation tend to prioritize academic subjects over practical life skills. There are classes offered to students to teach them life skills, but it is their choice to take them as those classes are not required for graduation. Some students believe that classes like human growth & development along with culinary essentials should be added to the short list of required graduation courses.
“I think culinary should definitely be a required class because some people do not know how to cook the most basic things,” said Spencer Boyd, 9. “I also think that Human growth & development could be required because people should learn how to raise a baby and if they don’t see that happening for them in the future, they could at least gain some empathy for those who do.”
While high school plays a crucial role in preparing students for the future, its current focus on academic achievement often neglects other essential aspects of adulthood. Many students believe they are not fully prepared for life outside of the classroom, but they hope for the best for future graduates so that they can not only excel academically, but be comfortable with the thought of independent living.
