7 things we should have learned in school but never did

Let’s be honest: school taught us a lot. Algebra, history dates, photosynthesis… sure.

But the older we get, the more we realize that some of the most important life lessons were never part of the syllabus.

No one pulled us aside to explain how to manage money, navigate emotions, or deal with real-world challenges like taxes, burnout, or building professional relationships. And now? We’re out here Googling “how to adult” on a daily basis.

Here’s a list of 7 things school should’ve taught us — backed by experience, a few regrets, and a whole lot of “Why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”

An adult life without strong financial understanding is nothing but a mess. Making money is important, but what’s more important is how we plan, use, and save that money. People who are financially literate are better equipped to avoid debt traps, handle financial emergencies, and achieve their life goals. With limited knowledge, people often end up calling the share market “gambling” or similar terms. Whereas in reality, it’s just limited knowledge that makes them unaware or even foolish. Meanwhile, when you see the colleague sitting next to you planning their money systematically without any hassle, it makes you feel, “Why only me?”

“You can count on me, like one… two… three, I’ll be there”—this viral Instagram track actually reminds us about being there for each other. Mental health awareness is becoming a crucial phenomenon nowadays because it helps recognize, understand, and manage emotional challenges, leading to better academic performance, healthier relationships, and overall well-being. In the simplest terms, it makes you a better and more sensible human being.

Even if you have the best idea in a room of a hundred people, unless you pitch your idea or say it out loud in a convincing manner, it’s just another failed idea sleeping in the corner of your idea-brimming mind. In schools, we were taught how to give viva exams, how to read paragraphs—but were we ever taught how to convince people with words?

Here comes the art of storytelling. Stories make information more memorable and relatable than abstract facts. Why do we like watching historical movies instead of just memorizing historical dates and years? The answer is emotion. Human beings function with emotions. The ability to effectively communicate ideas through storytelling means half the work is already done.

As soon as you get into the corporate rat race, thousands of pressures and complexities add on to your life, and you end up feeling overwhelmed. This is where mindfulness plays an absolutely crucial role in navigating adult life. It equips individuals with tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, improve focus, and enhance overall mental and physical well-being—skills essential for handling the complexities and pressures of adulthood.

In a professional setup, if you don’t network and connect with the right people, you’ll be left behind with your ideas—alone. Not everyone will be the best communicator; some will be the sweetest, and some will give you a really tough time. But to survive in corporate life or any professional environment, you have to master the art of dealing with everyone and learn how to get your work done without offending anyone.

Growing up, we are not always encouraged to discuss politics or our personal rights. One common assumption parents make is, “We are there for our child. You don’t need to worry.” But here the question is: “For how long?”

Learning about how society works—things like how the government is run, what your rights and responsibilities are as a citizen, and how you can get involved in your community—is nothing but basic.
Personal rights, on the other hand, are the freedoms and protections every person is entitled to, like freedom of speech, the right to privacy, and the right to a fair trial. Knowing about civic education and your personal rights gives you a strong hold in society.

In your career, negotiation will help you land greater opportunities—better jobs, better pay scales, a better image. Yet when do we learn that? Most people only learn to negotiate through trial and error, missing out on the benefits of structured guidance and practice. This lack of formal education leaves individuals less prepared to advocate for themselves or handle disagreements.