7 things school failed to teach us | Bishal Rijal

As a 21-year-old, I’ve realized that many important lessons were not taught in schools/colleges.

These things schools failed to teach us when we were in our schooling.

While school serves as a crucial foundation for our education, providing us with knowledge and encouraging critical thinking skills, it is only the beginning of our learning journey.

I believe that learning is a never-ending process and it’s essential to continue growing and acquiring new knowledge every day.

Over the past few years, especially during the pandemic, I’ve had the chance to expand my horizons and discover new things.

I am enthusiastic about sharing these experiences and insights with you through this blog.

I hope that this platform can inspire and encourage others to continue learning beyond what’s taught in school.

Moreover, I believe that schools should strive to update their curriculum and create a supportive environment that encourages students to think creatively.

This enables students to think beyond the confines of what’s taught in the classroom.

The school failed to teach us some important points.

It’s OK to fail

Failing can be more valuable than winning. Winning provides pride, but failure allows us to learn, grow and become stronger. Failing helps us build strength and tackle future challenges with greater confidence.

In school, the focus should be on learning, not just competition. Competition can lead to pressure and discrimination among students.

A study showed that 10.7% of 206 medical students in Nepal had thoughts of suicide in the past year. 18.4% had these thoughts at some point in their lives.

It’s important to remember that it’s okay to fail. What’s not okay is giving up. Support others who may need your help and keep pushing yourself. A wise person once said that kindness is always worth it.

It’s okay to be different

Everyone has unique interests and talents. It’s important to be true to yourself and not try to copy others. Instead, learn from others’ experiences. If you have different interests than those around you, it’s okay to be different.

If you’re not interested in traditional academic courses, focus on your passions and put your all into them. Schools often fail to encourage self-exploration, so it’s up to you to find what truly brings you joy and fulfillment.

Comparing yourself to others is not fair competition. Each person has their skills and abilities, so give yourself time to discover what makes you special. A book called “Ikigai” can help you find your passion. I am also on a journey to discover my passions and try new things.

How to earn money?

In my opinion, money is important but not everything. It’s important to work hard and acquire skills that can earn you money, but not at the expense of self-improvement. Money should result from your hard work, not be the only goal.

Schools teach us to finish our education, get a job, and start earning, but the world has changed. In your 20s, focus on developing skills and continually growing. A wise person once told me that “the 20s were a time for exploration and trying new things, not settling”. This advice has helped me to seek new experiences and opportunities.

We should also focus on creating passive income, which offers financial freedom. Learning new skills and reading books about passive income can help with this effort.

Personal finance

I’ve come to realize that managing money is just as important as earning it. Nowadays, we often waste money due to the capitalist environment around us. People spend without properly budgeting their finances.

Proper budgeting of income and expenses can help ensure you are spending money on the right things. Although schools teach formulas that are rarely used in real life, it’s still important to understand them for personal benefit. There are many tools available on the market that can help with financial calculations.

Personal finance is all about keeping track of your income and expenses. Starting early with healthy financial habits will make your future much easier. There are plenty of books and videos available to help expand your knowledge of personal finance. Some recommended titles include “The Psychology of Money” and “Rich Dad Poor Dad.“

How to deal with rejection?

Rejection is a fear that many people face. Unfortunately, we aren’t taught how to deal with rejection at school. However, a wise person once told me that if you view rejection as a step closer to success, you’ll approach it positively. Rejection is a part of life and must be embraced.

School leads us to believe that rejection means being a loser or a failure, but success can’t be achieved without facing rejection. It’s important to be brave and prepared to deal with rejection by practicing and facing it. Rejection can be a powerful motivator to work harder.

We face rejection in various aspects of life, such as jobs, relationships, family, society, and friendship. If we’re rejected, it’s a sign to upgrade ourselves and focus on personal growth. I recommend reading the book “The Courage to be Disliked” to better understand how to handle rejection.

Investing

Knowledge investment is essential for students and working professionals in the 21st century. While school focuses on preparing you for a job and saving, investing is the key to achieving financial freedom. With inflation on the rise, investing is necessary to withstand the increasing cost of living.

Saving is a crucial step in investing, but investing should be the ultimate focus. There are several investment options to choose from, such as

• Common stock or equity shares (high-risk)
• Mutual funds (medium-risk)
• And debentures (low-risk).

For a more structured approach, consider a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). The power of compounding, also known as the 8th wonder, is a key concept in investing.

To broaden your knowledge of investing, consider reading books and taking classes on the subject. A recommended book is “The Intelligent Investor“.

Don’t talk about mental health

In the 21st century, mental illness is a common problem. Some people suffer from imaginary thoughts, while others experience real trauma, depression, and other mental illnesses. Unfortunately, schools are often silent about mental health.

Only 10% of adults report having a lifetime mental disorder and 4.3% currently suffer from one. It’s important to support those with mental illness and to prioritize your mental health.

Just like physical health, mental health is equally important. A healthy mind leads to better outcomes, so it’s crucial to take care of it.

To improve mental health, consider meditating, exercising for at least an hour daily, eating healthily, engaging with society and the environment, and learning new skills. Schools may not have taught us these things, but it’s never too late to learn and master them for a healthy mind.

If you want to know what skills you must learn during your college journey must explore, The 9 skills you must learn in college

Conclusion – things school failed to teach us

In conclusion, these are my thoughts and experiences put into words. Although I had wished to learn these 7 things before the age of 21, I still have the chance to grow and continue my education. I hope you have gained insights from my learning journey. Keep learning and keep growing!