15 Tough & Expensive Life Lessons School Does Not Teach You | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

15 Tough & Expensive Life Lessons School Does Not Teach You

School doesn't teach you the real nitty-gritty scenarios about life. You learn these tough-cookie lessons when they hit you smack in the face.

13
15 Tough & Expensive Life Lessons School Does Not Teach You
wokandapix

School doesn't teach you the real nitty-gritty scenarios about life. You learn these tough-cookie lessons when they hit you smack in the face.

1. How to prioritize your relationships.

Family or friends? This friend or that friend? This event or that event? This potential work partner or that one? Prioritizing relationships is difficult because it means you inevitably - against everything you stand for, no matter how hard you fight it - have to place a higher value on someone or something.

2. How to sit in an office all day long. And feel great about it.

While school, sadly, may prepare you for sitting down for 8 hours (ridiculously large eye roll of disgust) it doesn't teach you how to like it. Sitting down for 8 hours a day is against everything human bodies are made to do. That fact remains for school and for work.

3. How to really, accurately, file your taxes (you know, on time and correctly).

Seriously. It's a lot more difficult than just plugging in numbers because tax laws are constantly changing. What applies to you may not apply to me. And then, heaven forbid, you start a business!

4. How to forgive someone for not having common sense.

They went and did something stupid and now you have to smile through that fury of emotions.

5. For that matter, school doesn't teach you what constitutes common sense.

The actual definition for "common sense" (the noun) is "good sense and sound judgment in practical matters." That's all we get, folks. Good luck walking around this world identifying what those extremely vague conditions mean and how they apply.

6. How to swallow adults acting like children and continue as if it's "acceptable."

Aye caramba. The backstabbing. The pettiness. The cheating. The blaming. The de-friending from social media. The whining. The pointing fingers. The neediness. I can't.

7. How to navigate an argument with a significant other.

School doesn't teach you how to love. And it certainly doesn't teach you how to passionately disagree with someone you love. It can be one of the thickest jungles to travel through seemingly alone.

8. How to let go of something you really want.

Disappointment is a wretched feeling. Defeat is isolating. It's a hard place to exist in.

9. How to get along with your in-laws.

Like trying to understand love, learning how to love your partners' parents can be challenging. They raised your partner (with all of their wonderful qualities, quirks and emotional scars), so you appreciate them but also have to accept (or deal with) what they so lovingly - or maybe not so lovingly - manifested in your partner.

10. How to change a flat tire or precisely where to put in washer fluid v. antifreeze.

Um, yeah. We'll just leave that right here because, apparently, it comes with consequences.

11. How to execute big-time city, state-wide, national or international ideas or dreams.

When you have a game-changer idea, schools may not always be the most encouraging. Instead of thinking big, some schools think small and tell you all of the reasons why you can't do something. (Personal note: As a dancer, I was told many times by educators that I needed to think of a "real job" instead of given support to create a plan for the career I wanted).

12. How to process terrorism and unanticipated violence like shootings and bombings in schools or at marathons.

I understand why school's struggle to handle this: who is really prepared to tell a room full of innocent children that they could be shot any minute? It's a terrible truth to have to deliver to smiling faces excited to learn. It's a terrible truth to have to carry as a parent. It's a terrible truth.

13. How to accept dogs when you're not a dog person (or cats, if you're not a cat person).

Pet lovers tend to assume everyone loves their precious baby: not true. So when they come into your space, lick you, jump on you, leave their precious baby fur everywhere, poop or pee on your carpet, it's difficult to take a deep breath and smile.

14. How to deal with the super unpleasant emotions like jealousy, anger, anxiety, depression.

These emotions weigh heavy and they can suck all of the joy from a room. Dealing with them will also affect your decision making and possibly lead you to a darker and more stressful place.

15. How to stand up against workplace bullying from a co-worker or superior.

You don't expect to be bullied by a co-worker or boss, but unfortunately, bullying doesn't stop on the playground. Dealing with workplace bullying is more difficult because it could potentially affect your work, finances, mental state and promotions.

School does a great job, but it simply can't cover all of these tough and expensive life lessons. These lessons, you learn the hard way.

The good news is: day by day, we become better at life. We become more resilient, stronger, smarter and so much more. So leave here knowing you are the smartest you've ever been today, and tomorrow you'll be a life genius.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181695
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8539
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453410
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23866
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments