Talking about school has always been an endless cycle, at least for me. When I was in school, I dreaded every moment spent in it and now that I’m out of school, I miss it. Most students who have graduated from high school will tell you the same thing. We only understand the true value of the life we had in our small school once we are out in the “real” world.

But if one asks me about school life now, I would start by saying that school has taught me an abundance of lessons. Apart from the obvious skills such as essay writing and mathematics, I have gained social skills through various opportunities that school has provided me with, such as MUN and Lilac Parity. Although I have never actively participated in these events, even the simple act of watching students interact in MUNs and TEDx has helped me learn skills that are now extremely valuable in my life at university. First impressions matter when you are in university- the way you present yourself and your social skills play a huge role in the foundation you lay for your personal educational experience. In university, you will not only have opportunities to be in clubs but you will have loads of presentations wherein you will be able to exercise these skills.

As much as we used to procrastinate in high school another skill that I have picked up along the way is time management. When you are in school, you’re experimenting with your study pattern. School is the best place to learn how to manage your time because you have constant support from teachers as well as parents. When you enter college or start a job, time management will come easily to you due to your prior experimentation period.

School is forgiving, but the “real world” is not. In school, you have teachers and parents who constantly guide you and push you to excel, but the real world does not have that privilege. Self-control and motivation is a huge driving factor in succeeding in the real world. It is something you should practice when you are in school. In the real world, if you’ve missed the deadline, no one stops for you. You are left behind. Spending too much time on your phone or watching Netflix instead of studying is an extremely detrimental habit that you need to get rid of immediately. I know it sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. In university, you will be studying a lot more than you did in school. Apart from that, you might be in a different country trying to juggle settling down and having a social life as well.

These few things are important lessons and tips that I will carry throughout my life. School is the best place to work on cultivating such skills because you will have guidance. However, do not forget that it is okay to give yourself a break from the intense academic rigour.

-Helen Karande (2019)