How to Be Life-Prepared, Not Just College-Prepared

Man cannot live on bread alone. Schools cannot teach only academics either.
It's not enough these days to simply get a good academic education. ACSM040-444ExamEven the best academic education isn't enough. If a school only prepares kids for college but not for life, are they really doing their job of educating our children? Too many schools today still teach to the test grade. They are more concerned about their numbers than they are about what the kids are learning and how prepared they are once they graduate.
Information alone is not knowledge. If you really want to know how to do something or learn as much as you can about a subject, the best way is to experience it. There are many practical applications that could be incorporated into the core subjects so kids could actually experience what they are learning and how to apply it to real life. Whether they get an A in the class is immaterial. Many kids are merely memorizing the information for the test because too much emphasis is placed on grades.
It's common for schools to offer the PSAT test so kids can practice for the actual SAT test. The purpose of taking the PSAT isn't to increase their knowledge. It's about getting a higher grade on the SAT, all for the sake of getting into college.
If high schools focus only on preparing the kids for college, what happens after that? Too often, college education is similar. Information in... answers out. Tests, grades, and eventually graduation. What about real learning, basic skills, and general knowledge? Even college doesn't do a good job of preparing young adults for the real world. Many graduate without knowing how to marketing themselves, how to be creative when looking for a job, or more importantly, how to create their own job especially in today's economy. Unless you are in a field where you will need a license to work such as medical or legal, many degrees are nothing more than a piece of paper. Think of how many people are not even working in their field or worse, how many can't find a job at all once they graduate.
The best education, starting as early as upper elementary grades, would be to incorporate marketable skills into the curriculum and discuss other opportunities besides college like entrepreneurship or learning a trade. Instilling good work ethics, teaching verbal and written communication skills (and I'm not talking about just writing boring reports), and giving them an overall introduction to the business world would be aACSM040-444exam much better education overall. Not only would they be more successful in college if that's the path they chose, but they would also be better prepared for life regardless of what their passion is.
There is some indication that the education system is starting to recognize some of these problems but it will still take a long time to make the necessary changes and improvements. If you are a parent or even a student, don't wait for the schools to catch up. You can take matters into your own hands and augment your child's education or your own education with the skills that will make you better prepared for life.
Don't know where to start? The easiest place is online. Just remember that no single source is the ultimate solution for everyone. The key is to research, read, and digest as much information as possible to get a well-rounded understanding of the topic or problem. Then find what works for your situation9L0-623 and take action.
You or your child CAN be prepared for life, not just college.