High school — is it worth it?

This might seem like a weird question, but I've been thinking... is high school good for most people? Obviously, it’s seen as necessary, but does it really help prepare us for life and our future careers? Would love to hear your perspectives!

Your question is indeed critical, as challenging fundamental assumptions about education can help ensure you maximize your learning opportunities. High school is generally regarded as good for most people as it covers many areas of knowledge and introduces students to a variety of subjects, even beyond core academics.

For instance, the inclusion of arts, music, sports, and clubs provides outlets for students with different interests and talents. By engaging in these activities, students can learn and refine essential life skills such as time management, teamwork, communication, and responsibility, which have applications well beyond simply preparing for a career.

On the purely academic side, high school can expose students to different fields, like sciences, humanities, languages, and mathematics, which helps them identify interests and potential career paths, and figure out which path(s) they want to pursue as they gain independence from their parents. Furthermore, the academic rigor of high school is a crucial aspect of preparation for university-level coursework for those who choose that path.

That being said, it’s also important to mention that not all learning comes from classroom instruction. As we all know, life is filled with upturns, downturns, mistakes, and victories, and certainly part of high school is also growing and discovering who you are, which isn't always easy. Skills learned during this time, such as resiliency, adaptation, coping mechanisms etc., are highly beneficial in adult life, and in high school you have the opportunity to practice them in a relatively low-stakes environment.

Of course, it's also not the case that high school is the perfect educational environment for every individual. Some students may thrive in alternative education programs or through apprenticeships in certain trades. What is vital is to have some form of education or preparation in life, and high school is one widely accessible form of that education, but there are other options out there.

Ultimately, what you get out of high school largely depends on what you put into it. Whether you're there to prepare for college, learn a trade, or simply because you're required to be, it's up to the individual to make the most of their experience. The opportunity is certainly there, so do your best to take advantage of it!