I have been to school for almost 18 years (6 years of elementary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of high school, 4 years of bachelors, and 2 years of masters degree). These five things are lacking to teach in my conventional school. These are developing the passion, networking building, financial management, handling failure, and being realistic. Don’t be salty, it is just based on my life experience. I believe an experience is the most valuable teacher. Every experience, good or bad, is a lesson that can gain strength and value. So, my thoughts this time might be differ from others perspective.
Developing the passion
Passion? What is passion? Do I have one? To be honest, I don’t believe in passion. Don’t get me wrong, it is merely because I don’t know how to recognize it since none are actually explain it clearly. To be more realistic, build passion might be possible to do since elementary or high school. But I believe as people growing, they are (mostly) studying in Accounting / Engineering / Medical because of their parents advice. These major is probably more familiar in their parents ear (or in their parents career legacy). In this case, the school does not take part in developing passion, and sometimes passion changes with time.
Networking building
In my experience, a convenient way to get a job is not always about good academic background or high GPA. A high GPA is good, but networking and building friendships is sometimes what gets you a job. That is why I need to make friends with people who can connect us to a better job, both online and offline. I have been ready with an updated resume or an attractive LinkedIn profile. Furthermore, I am always be kept in mind that networking only can take me to the door, not to keep me in it. It is necessary to upgrade my skill and giving impact to company.
Financial Management
When I was growing up, I didn’t quite understand the term “sandwich generation” until I have been financially responsible as my parents begin to age. I have to manage my money wisely after my parents retired. Probably, this is what a sandwich generation feels like, even though I am not married (or having kids) yet. I think financial management is an important skill that people should have in life (whatever their background or social status). Since I am not coming from financial/accounting background, I never really learned how to manage savings, assets, and investments. I only learned it based on my parents experience which is not always relevant in this age.
Handling Failure
Failure and rejection is never easy. It’s hard on us adults. What more on kids. The schools does not really taught us about how to deal with a failure. A failure itself that will taught you to work even harder. This is what we called “the school of life”. Failure is not a bad thing. It forces you to move on and undergo the process. If something is not working out, just take a break and learn from the mistakes. They all will make you who and what you are later.
Being Realistic
Life doesn’t always have smooth running as those motivators said. When I was childhood, I live in idealism where I should get a job and reach financial freedom before 30s. But in fact, my idealism defeated by reality. When I was seventeen, my parents got divorced which remained me a traumatic experience. I was losing myself and mind at that time. I was attempt to suicide in my 20s. Still, lack of financial support to enroll college made me take an internship/part-time job. What I have learned from all the events? I learned that our idealism can kills us slowly, if not properly maintained. What makes me survive? Trying to lower my expectation and be realistic. I work hard like it is my last day and never lower my standard. Again, this is not taught by the conventional schools. The experience does.
