THE new school term is an exciting time, but by sending your children through the school system, are you providing them with all the necessary skills which they will require when they move on to a job or seek higher education? What else do you need to provide so that your children are fully rounded in life issues, finances, as well as the basics of education?
The answer is relatively easy. You can ask yourself what you would have wanted to have known when you left school or moved to your first employment position.
The majority of reports and reviews suggest that most parents show a high level of interest in their children’s schooling and education during the first month of the first term. Fortunately, this coincides with teachers being revitalised after a long summer break.
Not everyone goes to school with the same agenda. Pupils will be extremely happy to see their peers again, especially those they haven’t seen since the end of last term and others they haven’t spent serious time with, discussing gossip on social media. New textbooks may not be top of their list of interest during the first week or two.
The fundamental concept of education is that children will be equipped with the necessary tools to succeed not only in their early years of life after school, but for many years after. Nevertheless, all parents and teachers will ask if school is really enough.
Across the world, top university graduates are still finding it difficult to locate suitable employment and many are struggling to even find unsuitable work. Every parent wants to know what they can do to improve the chances of their child’s success during the education route and then afterwards.
Many parents and children combine their thoughts and decide that the normal curriculum covers only the basic level of educational requirements. Taking extra lessons and supplementing the curriculum help challenge many students further.
Learning how to be engaged socially is critical during both the education and life forming challenges that lie ahead. It is clear that universities and employers look for students who have made an impact in society and have not just looked after number one.
Where individuals can gain experience, perhaps through an internship or an apprenticeship, it exposes them to the real workforce, which shows them how people live in the material world when they are dealing with a variety of problems that do not affect younger students. Relationships, financial management and further education may play a large part in understanding what happens after school ends.
Being involved socially within your community, perhaps with volunteer work, will greatly add to any CV which may look empty, in terms of experience. These actions will also prove valuable to any individual wishing to understand more about life’s positive and negative interactions, hopefully leaving a level of naiveté at the school door.
Students who are prepared to learn and evolve will look better to an employer or university, especially where the extra-curricular activities have been practised over a period of time and not rushed at the last minute to improve the CV.
By planning ahead, students can be socially and morally motivated to become more than just a part of society and better understand what the real world has to offer.