It's registration season. Now is the time where we try to push forward through our degree — without severely overbooking ourselves. I only have three classes required to complete my degree, and yet I don't feel prepared for the real world of adulting. I feel like the ridiculous cost of tuition should include some basic life skill courses, you know?
As we go to register for next semester, here are the classes that really should be required by the core curriculum.
1. Cover Letter and Résumé Writing 101
Seriously, though. When did these become a thing? When were we expected to figure out how to write them? Cover letters are a huge part of the job and internship application process, so why has no one mentioned it in my six semesters of higher education?
2. Basic Interview Skills
This course would be like beginning public speaking classes. The students would learn the basics and then get multiple opportunities to practice throughout the semester. Practice lessens fear, and interviewers can smell fear.
3. How to Get a Job
I'm really not kidding about this one. I feel like no one knows what they're doing, but the whole point of suffering through 8 or more semesters of college is to get a job.
4. Group Project Manners
I thought this one was common sense, but apparently not. In every group project, I've ever been a part of, there's always someone who makes it hell. It seems that there is a real need for a course in how not to screw over the grades of several of your classmates.
5. Manners in General
Some people honestly just need a reminder of how they should treat other people. Just because your parents aren't around doesn't give you permission to be an asshole... just saying.
6. Intro to Taxes
What are they? How do they affect me? How do I do them? They are a mystery and I feel like having a class on this could really make a difference. Imagine a school whose entire graduating class understands taxes and their importance... wild.
7. Stress Management
Every time I go to the library I come across at least one student having a mental breakdown. Stress Management really should be required. Mental stability is important when getting a job also...
8. Basics of Cooking
Some people grew up with their parents making every single meal for them. Several students in my dorm freshman year didn't know how to work a microwave and microwaved metal... I don't know about you, but I think it would be smart to get ahead of microwave fires.
9. Prepping for Retirement
Retirement is a huge deal, but our classes are only focused on telling us how we will definitely use calculus at some point in our future. How about teaching us how to save our salaries so we can have some money when we're done working? Just a thought.
