In school, the focus often revolves around different generic subjects. However, there are life skills that are typically not part of the curriculum. These skills play a vital role in navigating adulthood. Here are 20 things that school students would greatly benefit from learning.
How to set and achieve goals
Setting goals is extremely important for students because it helps them concentrate on the important things in life, encourages them to put in effort, and gives them a better chance at success. There are tons of benefits to goal-setting, and by creating objectives related to academics, professions, personal growth, and social interactions, students can accomplish their desired results in every area of their lives.
Self-defense skills
Schools should play a role in providing a setting for children to explore their boundaries and learn from their mistakes. Many students lack the self-confidence, skills, and awareness to ensure their safety. Self-defense training at schools can help with confidence backed by both readiness and physical competencies, which can discourage harmful displays of behavior. It can also improve attendance rates, reduce bullying, and improve mental resilience.
Learning from failure
When students embrace their mistakes, it provides them with opportunities for learning and becoming more effective problem solvers. Whether it’s in tackling assignments, creating genuine bonds, or engaging in sports, students develop perseverance as they learn from their mistakes and learn how to recover from failures by admitting to and correcting their mistakes more easily.
First aid skills
Many schools don’t teach first aid skills to high school children. Providing this type of education can greatly improve their skills and willingness to assist in emergencies. It will also boost their understanding of health-related matters and self-care practices, thereby nurturing a generation of individuals who can save lives.
Time management
Mastering time management is a skill that helps ensure that students are effectively prepared and focused to handle their daily routines and meet academic deadlines. Developing this skill can contribute to positive outcomes. Teachers need to teach their students to actively learn and cultivate good time management habits.
Career planning and development
Education that focuses on career planning is highly valuable to children. It helps students align with their goals and career aspirations and increases their enthusiasm for learning. It also boosts their self-confidence and promotes a mindset that supports decision-making. Varthana’s article ‘Why is career planning so important for students?’ talks about how, in an academic setting, this ability serves as a “road map to success.”
Local laws and regulations
Unless you’re in law school, teaching local law and guidelines in all schools can be useful to all students. It helps them understand their rights and responsibilities as members of society while also nurturing their critical and rational skills. Additionally, studying the local system increases awareness about social justice issues and encourages active engagement in civic matters.
Stress management skills
Students have been facing high levels of stress that are impacting their overall well-being. A recent survey led by The Allstate Foundation revealed that 62% of teenagers feel that anxiety hinders them from embracing their desired identity. Students also have the added responsibility of managing their homework, extracurricular activities, and household chores. Teaching them stress-management skills can significantly help them.
Decision-making skills
Teaching children how to develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills from an early age is critical. It gives them a chance to become more autonomous, boosts their self-confidence, and greatly advances their competence in making better decisions and choices independently.
Creative problem solving
Engaging in problem-solving activities can supplement student’s presentation skills, especially when they engage in discussions with peers and share their knowledge and interests. Additionally, problem-solving promotes listening and communication aptitudes as students gain a better understanding of different viewpoints and concepts presented by others, fostering a sense of teamwork.
Personal growth and self-awareness
Becoming more self-aware is a valuable skill for everyone to have. It helps us feel grounded, self-assured, and efficient. These qualities are particularly important for high school children, as they start developing critical skills at a young age, such as building positive relationships and making responsible choices.
Literacy on Health
Published findings in the journal BMC Public Health discovered that students who had access to health education experienced positive changes in many aspects, including gaining knowledge about their well-being and adopting positive mental health behaviors. It also reduces the stigma around mental health issues and makes it easier to ask for help when facing difficulties.
Essential survival skills
Gaining survival skills such as using a compass, providing aid, and setting up shelters can be invaluable during emergencies. When children are taught fundamental bushcraft survival skills, they grow into confident individuals who thrive in any situation life presents. It helps them become more adept at finding solutions and thinking creatively.
Job applications and interview skills
Effective verbal communication is crucial during interviews, as it allows you to confidently convey information about your education, skills, and professional background to future employers. When students understand how to apply for jobs and shine in interviews, it can help them advance in their lives and career prospects.
Household chores
Teaching children how to do household tasks is useful for their personal development. By having teachers and parents teach students and assign them chores, they can help their growth. According to an article published on centerforparentingeducation.org holding children responsible for their chores can develop their sense of accountability and contribute to their progress.
Communication skills in classrooms
Effective teaching requires a combination of both knowledge and communication skills. As a result, teachers should be proficient in all four communication modes—listening, reading, speaking, and writing and should teach students the same skills. Applying these within an education system impacts students’ academic accomplishments and contributes to professional growth.
Collaborative teamwork abilities
Communication and social skills such as listening and effective speaking can help students enjoy working in teams and with others. By working with other students (and future colleagues), students can learn the importance of respectfully listening to their leaders and authority figures to effectively carry out their assigned roles.
Emotional intelligence skills
Having emotional intelligence can greatly benefit students in their personal and academic lives. It empowers them to shine in an educational setting while navigating situations with ease as well as help them to manage stress, think critically, and improve their overall capabilities.
Critical thinking skills
Thinking beyond boundaries is incredibly helpful when it comes to problem-solving and nurturing innovation in students. The ability to think critically gives students the power to evaluate, examine, and combine information. This can help them to solve problems easily and make better decisions overall.
Financial education
Despite recommendations from establishments like the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which have suggested financial education should start as early as possible, not all schools have paid heed to this advice. Most money habits are formed in children, by the age of seven. It was only in 2014 that this subject was introduced into secondary school curriculums, but not in all schools or countries. CF
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