If I could create a class that all students in grades K–12 were required to take, it would be a Life Skills class. I believe this class would have a great impact on students because it would help them learn real world skills that they can use outside of school, not just academically. Although subjects like Math, English, and Science are important for students' future in education, students also need to be prepared for life outside of the classroom. I believe that school should expand its focus on life skills that students will need once out of high school. Traditional classes help students grow academically and prepare for college, but they don’t usually teach the basic daily skills. Many students have questions about life outside of school like managing money, cooking, or understanding how credit works. Although some students can ask these questions at home and get lessons from parents/guardians, not all students have this opportunity. Some parents/guardians work long hours or they can't find enough time to teach these lessons. This class would ensure that every student receives this important knowledge. This class would be designed to match the age and developmental level of students. In early elementary school (1st and 2nd grade), students would learn about cleaning up after themselves, personal hygiene, staying organized, and basic safety rules. They would also begin to explore healthy eating habits and what to do in case of an emergency. As students move into upper elementary grades (3rd-5th), the classes would introduce topics like time management, teamwork, and understanding the difference between spending and saving money. These skills would help students begin to take more responsibility for their actions and choices that are appropriately designed based on their developmental stage. In middle school, students would learn to create and follow personal schedules, set short- and long-term goals, and start practicing basic budgeting. This would help students stay organized and see how much progress they have done to achieve their goals. They would also learn basic cooking skills, how to deal with stress, and how to make smart decisions when facing difficult situations. First aid, safety in public spaces, and how to manage a small paycheck would also be introduced towards the end of the 8th grade. By the time students enter high school, the topics would become more advanced. Students would explore job readiness, such as how to fill out medical/work forms, prepare for interviews, and act professionally. These key things would help students build confidence when looking for their first job. They would also learn how bank accounts work, the basics of credit and loans, how to vote, and an introduction to local laws. As students approach graduation, they would learn about adult responsibilities like renting an apartment, understanding health insurance, creating a realistic budget, and filing taxes. This life skills class would also provide students with a safe space to ask personal or difficult questions about life. While teachers wouldn’t tell students what to do in every situation, they could offer suggestions or help guide them to responsible choices. Teachers should always keep in mind that students come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, so major personal decisions would remain the responsibility of the student and their family. Overall, a Life Skills class would give students the fundamental knowledge for the real world. It would also give students the confidence to take a step into the real world and not wait until high school to start applying these skills. Every student deserves the chance to learn how to thrive not just in school, but in life.

I have always worked hard in school to do my best and get good grades. I know that if I do good in school it will benefit me in the long run and give me more opportunities in life. My parents have always been supportive when it comes to school. The support of my parents is one of the things that motivates me the most to focus on my education and have various educational goals. I would like to attend a university in the future not only to pursue my dream career but also to make my parents proud. Right now I am working hard to get good grades for my last year of high school. I would like to finish high school and graduate with a high G.P.A. I am also taking a dual enrollment class my senior year of high school to be able to get ahead in college and potentially save time & money in the future. After high school I would like to go straight into a 4 year university as a psychology major. During my time in university I plan on working a part time job to be able to pay for my school. I will apply for scholarships and take out loans if needed to be able to pay for my classes. I would also like to do volunteer work during my time in university. I would prefer to do volunteer work in a setting where I will work with kids. Doing so, I will be able to get experience for my dream future job working with children. As of now I don’t know exactly in what field I want to go in after my four years in university but during my time in university I will be able to study more of each of the different fields of psychology and I will then be able to decide what I want to do after receiving my bachelors degree. Although I don’t know what I want to do for my masters degree now, I do know that after getting my bachelors degree I want to work towards getting a masters degree to get more job opportunities. Based on what I decide to study in graduate school I will try to find a job working with kids that is the best fit for me. In the future I would like to work with children and positively impact their lives. Whether it is in a school setting or another setting I want to be able to have a positive impact on their lives. I would like to help children with either their physical or mental learning abilities. I know that working with young kids can be difficult but I think that it's important to help them grow and prepare themselves for the future which is why I would like to have a job working with children in the future.