At this point, I can write a five-paragraph essay with my eyes closed and memorize 40 vocabulary words in one night. I know how to dissect a frog, identify every part of a cell, and recite the Pythagorean theorem without blinking. But in 2025, high school students are still graduating without ever being taught how to build credit, understand what paycheck deductions mean, or recognize burnout. We’re learning how to solve problems, but not the kind we’ll face immediately after graduation or even during our first year of college, when we’re suddenly expected to manage a budget and our own well-being.
The process of learning itself: thinking critically, managing deadlines, and using logical reasoning, teaches us how to approach problems in real life. But despite everything we’re taught, we’re still not being prepared for the realities that follow high school. By junior year of high school, we’re expected to have an idea of what we want to study in college and what career to pursue. But how can we choose a path when we don’t understand what these jobs consist of: the day-to-day responsibilities, the lifestyle, the income?
Earlier exposure to real-world skills and career awareness would help students make smarter decisions, not just pick a major based on what sounds impressive or familiar. Financial literacy classes could teach the true cost of college, and beyond- not just tuition and textbooks, but rent, interest on student loans/credit cards, insurance, groceries, and all the everyday expenses that come with living independently. Mental health education could help us manage stress before it spirals and reduce the stigma around asking for help. Career education, through internships, pathways, or hands-on experiences, can show us what different jobs are really like, beyond just their titles…