The difference between the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the application of the Pythagorean Theorem, and the memorization of the Unit Circle are all things we learned in high school and will likely never use again. However, there were some important life skills that seemed to escape the curriculum. Here are 16 things I wish I learned in high school.

1. How to change a tire.

Panicking on the side of the freeway unsure if you even have a spare tire in your car is not my idea of a fun afternoon or even worse, night.

2. How to change your oil.

Where is the oil receptacle in a car, anyway?

3. What all of those lights on the dashboard of a car mean.

And how long after said suspicious light goes on do you have to get it checked? A week? A month? Or does my car have two hours to live before it explodes? This would be helpful information.

4. How to cook.

Because you know, survival and all.

5. How to do laundry.

Wash everything on cold. Always.

6. How to do taxes.

I know they're due April 15th. That's it.

7. How to pay bills.

Checks? Debit? Credit? Cash?

8. How to open a bank account.

I remember my sister mentioning a CD once. I still have no idea what that means.

9. How to build stuff.

You can't just put a mattress on the ground and call it a bed forever. At least, that's what I've been told.

10. How to apply to college.

For how much pressure was put on all of us to go to college, we never actually learned how to apply.

11. How to apply for financial aid and scholarships.

And that you'll probably need more than FAFSA will give you.

12. How to perform CPR.

Not like this skill could save someone's life or anything.

13. How to perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

Again, saving people's lives is pretty important.

14. How to sew.

I'm not saying I need to make a wedding dress or anything, but sewing a button that fell off a $50 coat would be nice.

15. How to write a resume and cover letter.

They also don't warn you of the wave of excitement and terror that settles on your shoulders once you send the email or deliver the application.

16. How to interview for a job.

The subjectivity of "business casual" will forever irritate me.