I learned that no matter how popular you are in school, you mean nothing to anyone in the outside world. A friend I had back then learned this the hard way. He was “Mr. Popular” football player. Had his pick of girls. Friends were not in short supply. The world was his oyster -until he joined the real world and saw that all of his school clout equaled absolutely dick outside those walls. All he ever wanted to talk about was the good old days… Because that’s all he had and that’s when he mattered. He lost his life in his 40’s from what I believe was an alcohol related condition.
I learned the social cliques in high school do carry over into real life. There is no mixing of personalities or general acceptance in the real world. Everything has a label slapped on it so we know how to judge it. More times than not, someone gets a job because of who they know and not what they know.
I learned that public school is where the state attempts to produce sheep-brained robots. Think inside the box. Being part of the “in” crowd has its benefits. Looks & status means more than talent. Racism and segregation are further ingrained.
Then we go to college to try to unlearn most of the nonsense we were taught in grade school, by professors who weave politics into their educational lesson plans.
Quality of education also depends on socioeconomic status. A millionaire’s kid has avenues available that a public school student doesn’t even know exist or could be available to them.
I learned that most public school systems are corrupt at the highest level. Where I live, the person over the schools in the county had been embezzling money for years -then resigned when they were about to be prosecuted. Meanwhile underpaid teachers fund class projects out of their own pockets and school provided lunches are laughable.
I learned that at least when I was in grade school, having a learning disability that wasn’t profoundly obvious meant we were just lazy or unmotivated. Some teachers were there for a paycheck, not to help prepare us for the road ahead. Unless we were visibly or audibly disabled, we were shit out of luck – this could also be in partnership with ignorant/stubborn parenting so the school may not 100% be at fault.
Oh… Typing. My freshman year I learned to type reasonably well without looking at the keys. That skill has transferred. Everything else? Mmm… Debatable.
Just like everything else – School has become a business. College classes are stuff with filler in order to squeeze out every dollar they can. The more money you have, the better chances you have available.
And yes, there are exceptions – but one exception does not negate what is standard for the other 99.
Off The Rails 