Everyone has those two or three memorable/outstanding teachers who have shed light into our lives and have helped us to better believe in ourselves, but does the education system itself set us up for greatness? Since graduating about a year and a half ago, being in the workforce and also going to college, I do not believe this to be so...and here is why.
PERSONAL FREEDOM IS LIMITED
In high school, we do not have many rights. Ridiculous dress codes, wearing ID tags, and busywork assignments create more of a hostile environment than an inviting one. In college, students are given a much greater since of responsibility and freedom. You choose your schedule, You decide to go to class or not, and the work is tough, yet engaging.
While I am not saying we should give high school students freedom to wear, say, and do whatever they want, I am saying that perhaps all of the rules and restrictions during the K-12 years do not adequately prepare us for college. The only sort of college prep I really had was by taking AP classes, though the work those classes required was sometimes more lengthy than in college!
It is so ironic to me that we are treated like children up until graduation then two months later we have to make some of the most adult decisions we will ever make.
I believe that the school system should teach things that will actually be useful in life. I never learned about loans or taxes...and isn't that something everyone in this country needs to know about? I can, however, tell you what an anadiplosis and zeugma are.
It was not until I arrived on a college campus that I really began to learn that there is more to life than being gated in a school for seven or more hours, dodging campus supervisors who might give you detention if your shorts do not go to your knees.
My high school experience was rather pleasant, though my senior year I was bored out of my mind ready to start a new chapter of my life. I played sports, held an office position and was an active member of many clubs. I am not saying everything about the school system is incorrect, I do, however, think it needs revising.