Why Life Skills Should Be a Required Class in School by Clay

Why Life Skills Should Be a Required Class in School by Clay - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

An elective or extracurricular activity I think should be a required class is life skills. Life skills are things everyone needs to develop over time, but there are some important lessons students should not have to wait to learn the hard way. A life skills class would help students prepare for the real world by teaching everyday tasks that may seem small but make a big difference in someone’s life.

Not every student has the same support system at home. Some students might not have the chance to learn how to do chores, cook, manage money, or even wash their clothes. I personally know that some of these things can be confusing if you’ve never done them before. For example, something as simple as using a washing machine the right way or cooking safely on a stove can be confusing or even dangerous without proper instruction. When schools make life skills a required class, it levels the playing field. It gives all students, no matter their background, a chance to learn the basics they’ll need in college, in their first apartment, and as adults.

Life skills classes should be hands-on, not just worksheets or lectures. Students learn better by doing. When you actually practice something like cooking a basic meal, writing a check, or changing a tire, it sticks with you. According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, hands-on learning helps students build confidence and retain information longer than just reading or hearing it ("What Is CTE?"). This is why a class like this should include labs and activities that mimic real life.

One of the most important areas life skills should focus on is financial literacy. Many students graduate high school without understanding how to budget, save, file taxes, or use credit wisely. A study by the Council for Economic Education found that only 25 states in the U.S. require students to take an economics course, and even fewer require a full course in personal finance (2022 Survey of the States). This means millions of students enter adulthood without the tools they need to manage their money. Life skills classes would help prevent common financial mistakes like overspending or falling into credit card debt, which can take years to recover from.

Another major topic that should be included in life skills is basic home and self-care. Things like cooking a healthy meal, separating laundry properly, sewing on a button, or knowing what cleaning products to use are all things students should know before they leave home. When I was younger, I remember trying to microwave something with foil on it because no one had told me you couldn’t do that. It sparked, and luckily nothing caught fire, but that moment taught me that some of these “little things” are actually serious. A class could prevent things like that from happening in a college dorm or first apartment.

Some people might argue that students should learn these things at home. While I agree that families should teach their children these skills, the truth is not every home has the time, resources, or ability to do that. Some parents work long hours or weren’t taught these things themselves. It’s not about blaming anyone, it’s about making sure all students are prepared for life. Schools already teach subjects like math and science to prepare us for careers. Life skills prepare us for living, and that’s just as important.

I also think life skills would help students feel more independent and capable. When you know how to take care of yourself, it builds confidence. You’re not afraid to go away to college or move out on your own because you know how to cook, clean, manage your money, and handle everyday responsibilities. It’s a class that could truly change the way students view adulthood, not as something scary, but something they’re ready for.

In conclusion, life skills should be a required class in schools because it gives students real-world knowledge they can use every day. It helps bridge the gap between school and adulthood and ensures that students leave high school prepared for more than just academic success. Whether it’s learning how to do laundry, cook safely, manage money, or take care of themselves, these are lessons that last a lifetime. A life skills class isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.