What I Wish I Learnt in School

It's almost 2009 and everything we do is evolving. The way we consume media, the way we talk to and meet friends the way we travel and the way we work. The only thing that doesn't seem to be changing much (I could be wrong though) is the way we educate our kids. I only graduated 12 years ago but it seems little has changed. Not that I have actually visited a school to check in.

Here's a list of stuff I wish I had of learnt at school rather than needing another 12 years of hard lessons. I consider myself very lucky and I've seen friends fail at certain aspects of life because they weren't taught simple things.

1: Financial Education:
I think I read this in Rich Dad Poor Dad long ago but why don't schools educate kids on how to manage their money. It doesn't have to be a huge time but teach kids about money and how it works. This is a major point and shit they should even be running free classes for all the people out there with no financial knowledge at all. Don't leave this up to parents to teach their kids or we'll be in trouble. Oh and I don't mean accounting. This subject should be mandatory.

2: The Environment:
Sure ancient history is pretty cool (pyramids and all that shit) but the environment is something that kids should know about.

3: Creativity:
Creativity is not limited to just art subjects. Get the kids thinking for themselves creating things. Every subject should have a creative component.

4: Getting a Job:
I think in my highscool I had one or two lessons on this. It was a quick OK you're about to go out there here's some quick tips.

This point is one major failing of most universities (at least in the design and creative fields) fail. They have just spent 4 years studying design and I have to bend over backwards to get information on a student to ask them for an interview. I also don't think I had anyone come in and talk about "the workplace" or from certain jobs while In high school. You see it in movies with kids having a "career day" but come high school this doesn't seem to be done?

5: How to survive without your parents:
No not an orphan subject but how to cook, clean and live outside of home. I did home ec but it was less about living away from home and more "so you want to be a chef" subject. I wish I was shown how to iron a shirt properly :)

6: Common Sense:
Just in case the students live with parents who are socially backward (read: fuckwits) it should be mandatory that everyone attend a common sense class. Simple lessons on public transport etiquette, how to use an ATM, how to ride on escalators and all the simple stuff that seems to be lost on some people.

It would be great if kids (well teens) were asked to watch talks like the ones on TED or films like An Inconvenient Truth at an early age.