Finance for a Better Future by Chelsi

Finance for a Better Future by Chelsi - November 2021 Scholarship Essay

When I was in high school, I was walking by a class but was unsure what the class name was. I saw someone I knew in there and asked what class they were in, and they mentioned it was Finance. I at the time did not know we had Finance class as an elective option, and I did not think there was a need for the class since we were in high school. After graduating, I now know why some people were taking Finance and think there should be more of an emphasis in schools about the class.
I remember asking my friend how he was able to choose the elective. He was saying only a few people were able to join. I remember saying that not fair it should be open to all and how I would love to know more about the class. He says they learned about savings, money terms, budgeting, and anything else that has to do with money. I remember it being an interesting class but not so interesting to change my schedule around. Looking back, I wish I had changed it because I think that class would have been greatly beneficial overall. I believe it would have saved me thousands of dollars and taught me how to save and budget. The class would have shown me how to take care of money and have a better relationship with it. I think having Finance classes in all schools would be beneficial to all children. Finance is just as important of a class as Math, English, Social studies, and Science is. although there are times where math has questions like if you have $20 dollars and you need to buy a cat litter box for $16. How much do you have left but this isn’t enough? With an emphasis on Finance in school it can help them learn how to write a check, use a credit card, what debt means and how to get out of it. Obviously, what they learn would depend on the grades. Children and teens can benefit from the classes as well. If these classes were available sooner, they would have helped millions of teens after high school and going to college. We see now in the news how young NBA players are going bankrupt because they do not know how to responsibly manage the amount of money they are given. I am sure this is not the only instance this is happening. but I do now this all could be lessened if there was more of an emphasis on Finance in schools.
Some would think like me why should there be an emphasis on Finance? I would say that what we are learning in math is not enough. A lot of us are not taught what healthy money habits look like. This would help us as a society be better with our money. Schools need to make Finance a requirement so children and teens can be well equipped with all things' money.