In high school, I seemed to just float on through classes. I barely studied for anything and didn’t even have to try hard in classes that didn’t make much sense to me because lost points could easily be made up. My secondary education set me up for failure.

I was one of the few who did take advantage of the opportunities provided to widen my skill sets through clubs and associations. So, in some ways I was prepared. And I don’t blame my teachers for the easy classes; I blame the district and their rules for curriculum. I had many passionate teachers who tried to teach valuable lessons, but many kids brushed them aside, forcing the teachers to adjust the coursework to fit a lower set of skills.

I learned absolutely no study skills, nor did I learn how to curate an assignment without strict instructions and examples, which has lead to multiple problems.

I have a summer internship that is full of freedom and the ability to create my own ideas. I have a real workplace job with my own cubicle, with resources and the chance to collaborate with real professionals. You may be wondering what could be wrong with that. Well, I have vague direction from my boss, which gives me the reigns, for the most part, to bring in my own expertise. But I have been so programmed by high school to have someone right over my shoulder, telling me exactly what to do and how to do it. It created this mental block, a shock of sorts that I cannot seem to get out of.

I know it is not necessarily just my high school education that led me to be like this. I first noticed this when my Management 1001 class was given a ten page paper with little to no guidance. Every single one of my classmates seemed to be freaking out about it because how dare they not give us any guidance or examples.

The memorization and forced guidance that many high schoolers are put under during their high school careers have proven problematic for many students, whether they go to a tech school, a certificate program, a college or university or straight into the workforce. The lack of freedom for problem solving and creativity amongst assignments builds up walls for learning and shrinks the creativity students could be learning to use.

The lackadaisical high school curriculum also prohibits students from learning valuable skills for college where the curriculum and course loads become much heavier and time-consuming. I have no idea how to study, which is a huge problem. I slowly am learning the importance of studying and looking over parts of my classes I do not understand. While not every school has this problem, many public schools leave students without valuable skills when left without proper ability to cater to all needs.

I can’t say I didn’t learn anything from high school, I’m just saying I am missing valuable skills that could’ve been acquired during that time. I guess I just wish I could’ve gotten more out of high school. At the time, it seemed just fine, but transitioning into the real world, it seemed as if I was robbed of knowledge and opportunities I should have been given.