Life skills I wish I had
As a septuagenarian, I often find myself pondering how different things might have been had I been equipped with essential life skills during my school years. Drawing from personal experiences, I believe the American school curriculum should not only prepare students for college, but also empower them to navigate life beyond academia. Given the diverse trajectories students embark upon after graduating, and the varying degrees of parental guidance, it is imperative that schools bridge the gaps in essential life skills education. By doing so, we not only facilitate students’ transition into adulthood but also bolster their competitiveness in the global economy, ultimately benefiting society at large.
A quote that I stumbled upon online accurately captures my observations: “We go to school to learn everything except for the three things that matter most: how to manage our health, how to manage our money, and how to manage our relationships.”
Here are some fundamental life skills that I believe children should be equipped with before they leave for college. I wish I had access to these growing up:
Cooking
Basic culinary skills are indispensable for promoting healthy living and self-reliance. I found myself having to grasp the basics of cooking from my older sister, whose husband was pursuing a Ph.D. at the same U.S. college where I was completing my graduate studies. During my two-year stay with them, my sister shouldered the cooking and household chores. However, when I relocated to another U.S. college, sharing a house with two other students forced me to be self-reliant, where the rudimentary cooking skills I acquired proved invaluable. Yet, I do lament not having acquired these skills before high school graduation. Having grown up in India with enough domestic help, we overlooked the importance of cooking as a fundamental skill.
Nutrition
It is astounding how many of us lack even a basic understanding of nutrition, even though our well-being hinges on our dietary choices. During my 30s, I struggled with being overweight. Fearing premature mortality due to poor health, I became vigilant about my diet and taught myself everything I know now about eating right. I subscribed to health-related newsletters to stay abreast of developments in diet and nutrition. By being disciplined about my daily walks and intermittent fasting, I eventually managed to regain control over my weight.
Hands-on Work
Engagement in practical projects nurtures problem-solving abilities and creativity. This is imperative in a social media-driven digital world. In my upbringing in India, opportunities to engage in hands-on projects were scarce, both at home and in school. For instance, no building blocks, LEGOs, puzzles, or science kits were available to stimulate hands-on learning. Instead, reading, indoor games such as cards, carrom, word-building games, and traditional board games constituted our recreational activities.
Public Speaking
Proficiency in communication skills is essential for personal and professional success. During my formative years in India, public speaking classes were nonexistent in schools and colleges. When tasked with delivering a seminar at a graduate school at an American university, I found myself at a disadvantage. Fortunately, my employer later mandated all managers and supervisors to undertake the 14-week course in public speaking.
Financial Literacy
During my high school and engineering college days in India in the sixties, no courses were offered on financial management. Consequently, I had to navigate the intricacies of managing my personal finances on my own. I had to teach myself how to invest to combat inflation, accumulate savings, and prepare for unforeseen financial setbacks. While my mother’s meticulous tracking of expenses served as a model, I struggled to adopt the practice. Lacking formal training in financial literacy, I adopted a philosophical approach to spending, prioritizing needs over wants and ensuring that my expenditure aligned with my values. Although I am relatively content with my financial management skills, formal training in financial literacy might have enabled me to manage my finances more effectively.
Emotional Intelligence
Cultivating our emotional quotient, or EQ, enhances relationships and mental well-being. Poor interpersonal skills can mar personal and professional relationships. EQ strategies that children will hugely benefit from include: emotional awareness, empathy, active listening, self-regulation, coping skills to handle negative emotions like stress and disappointment, negotiation skills, and ability to compromise.
Cultural Competence
Appreciation of diverse cultures nurtures empathy and global citizenship. This is critical in a country like the U.S., which welcomes as citizens people from across the world. An understanding of cultures from where large numbers of people immigrate to America, the commonalities and differences in their worldviews, will help foster better relationships and minimize conflicts among communities.
Knowledge of Spiritual Practices
Exploration of diverse spiritual practices promotes understanding and tolerance. The basic tenets of all major world religions, if taught to children before they graduate from high school, will help them understand both, strengths of communities and roots of conflicts. All major religions at their core serve to make people more ethical, moral, legal, and upright citizens.
