In my senior year of high school, my Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Politics and Macroeconomics teacher conducted three classes where she educated her students on finances. During the process, I learned a lot about student loans, car loans, 401(k) plans and house mortgages. As a result, I struggled less with financial aid, budgeting and other financial paperwork. Despite this opportunity, I was shocked to learn how complicated it is to live on my own and take care of myself. During my first year in college, I struggled a lot with relationships, acting maturely, working part time, managing time and having to balance numerous responsibilities that I did not have while living with my parents. For this reason, high school students should have the opportunity to learn essential life skills that are necessary to become an independent adult before being thrown into the real world.

One life skill that high schools should teach is mental coaching and wellness. Athletes use mental coaches so they can improve their confidence, increase their focus, build resilience and to enhance their mental strength. Everyone should be able to be their own mental coach since these skills are important regardless of the career path one takes. Research has proven that the current generation of young adults struggle more to cope with mental struggles than the previous generation due to the pandemic, poor parenting methods and the lack of opportunities for autonomy, all of which create a lower tolerance threshold. Knowing healthy methods to manage stress and establish a strong mentality help people better achieve goals, have a positive mindset, be confident about their abilities, regulate their emotions and overall live a healthy life. Teaching mind training and self-care can help people tackle their own problems.

The second life skill that should be taught in high school is financial literacy. Finances become more complex as people enter adulthood and go beyond simply saving more and spending less. Learning about how the economy runs can help students get a better understanding of finance and make informed choices. Students should learn how to decide where and when to save and spend, how to compare costs before a big purchase and how to plan for retirement or other long-term savings. Financial skills are applicable regardless of what career one pursues. High financial literacy prevents people from making devastating mistakes, it prepares them better for unforeseen financial situations and it helps them work their way out of financial crises. Also, learning what it truly means to get a loan, buy on credit or file bankruptcy can help young adults refrain from dangerous financial behaviors and make smart decisions.

Civic education is also immensely important for students to learn. Learning about the different kinds of laws regarding safety, dispute resolution and protection of rights and why they exist can help people understand why laws are important—even if they require citizens to relinquish a part of their freedom. A lot of people are unaware of the details of the law and may end up doing something illegal without realizing. Also, knowing the duties and rights that citizens hold can protect them from mistreatment and abuse from those in power by encouraging people to fight against injustice. Learning about our rights, how laws are created, how to act in certain situations—attending court or getting pulled over, for example—what is legal or illegal and the possible consequences for each violation of the law can help young adults avoid situations where they are fined or falsely convicted.

Basic chores and life skills should also be taught. Knowing how to cook meals can help people save money from eating out at restaurants and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to do basic repairs can help people save money from having to pay repair services, use items for longer periods of time and keep their assets, especially their house and cars, in good condition. Also, learning about healthy habits can help individuals make better decisions and refrain from dangerous habits. A lot of these skills were unnecessary when we were younger since our parents helped us with them; however, as we get older, we must learn how to live independently. Although some people might believe that we learn from our mistakes and that these skills do not need to be taught professionally, it can protect us from unnecessary struggles and problems.

Lastly, schools should focus on social and communication skills. Although most people learn how to interact with others in a school setting, other social skills are needed to become an adult. Skills such as writing professional emails, writing resumes and cover letters, performing strongly in job interviews, maintaining good leadership in the workplace, building relationships and connections, professionally managing conflicts and negotiating should be taught so that people can be more successful as adults. These social abilities are also linked to one’s ability to keep their job. Skills such as effectively communicating, respecting workplace rules, taking what others say seriously and persevering through hardships are essential since the people around you have high expectations and low tolerance for immature behavior.

The real world is much different from what we see in the textbook. A lot of the things we learn and get tested on are hardly used in life, and the skills that we use everyday are not necessarily taught in school. During high school, students should learn how to act as independent adults so that they do not have to endure unnecessary trial and error on their own.