24 Essential Life Skills Millennials Wished They Learned in School Instead of the Pythagorean Theorem

Life doesnt come with a manual, yet schools are expected to prepare us for it. On the r/Millennials subreddit, a user named u/DustyRZR asked: What do you wish you had learned in school from an early age? Here are some of the most insightful responses that highlight gaps in education:

1. Stress management: Techniques like deep breathing, stretching, and meditation were rarely mentioned but could have helped students cope better.
2. Financial literacy: Learning about money is limited in high school. Even now, teenagers often dont engage with financial lessons unless it involves trends like crypto.
3. Self-care: Skills such as personal hygiene, cooking, stress management, setting boundaries, and knowing when to seek medical help.
4. Handling abuse: Guidance on recognizing cycles of abuse and practical steps for escaping harmful situations was missing.
5. Social skills: Understanding human behavior, reading social cues, cooperating with others, and learning authority respect are crucial but often neglected.
6. Foreign languages: American schools offer minimal language education, leaving students less prepared than peers in other countries who start young.
7. College guidance: Courses explaining how to choose a major, apply to universities, and navigate scholarships would be beneficial.
8. Mental health practices: Some teachers now introduce breathing exercises, stretching, and meditation to help students manage stress.
9. Critical thinking & fitness: Lessons on nutrition, learning from failure, questioning authority, and independent thinking are rarely emphasized.
10. Consent: Modern classes are more comprehensive, while older lessons were limited to no means no.
11. Practical home skills: Basic household maintenance is often overlooked.
12. Elective inequality: Course availability varies by school district, giving wealthier students more opportunities.
13. Communication: Skills like negotiation, conflict resolution, and effective listening are essential yet under-taught.
14. Civics: Basic civics education was often replaced with entertainment rather than meaningful learning.
15. Mentorship: Programs supporting young men could help them grow into happier, more fulfilled adults.
16. Abuse awareness: Schools rarely cover how to recognize and avoid abusive situations.
17. Independent thinking: Education focuses on memorizing facts instead of teaching students how to analyze and think critically.
18. Networking: Learning to build connections beyond structured games is rarely addressed.
19. Life skills: Managing money, paying taxes, saving, homeownership, and pensions are practical lessons most students never receive.
20. Questioning authority: Encouraging students to challenge assumptions and take calculated risks is often ignored.
21. Music theory: Exposure to music education often comes too late.
22. Philosophy: Early introduction to philosophy could foster deeper thinking skills.
23. Emotional regulation: Schools that prioritize emotional intelligence provide life-changing experiences for students.
24. Cooking: Simple meal preparation, like making basic dishes, is a skill many adults still lack.

What lessons do you think should be mandatory in every school? Share your thoughts or respond anonymously using the form below.

Author: Sophia Brooks