Seven  hours a day, five days a week, 180 days out of a year, a student is stuck in school. While in school, their eight period days are often filled with classes that will unlikely be of use to them after they graduate. I understand there is importance in learning high level trigonometry or physics, but there need to be opportunities for students to learn about other topics that will help them prepare for after graduation. Many students lack basic life skills and knowledge that is essential to life after high school. Even when students go to college, they will still need to know the basic facts of life that they are not taught in high school. 

After graduating, most students need to know how to manage their money and live off of their paychecks. It would be wise for students to be taught how to properly spend money and save for the future. They need to learn about things such as taxes, insurance and balancing a checkbook.  Even more important for college students, it is important to learn about loans: how to take out a loan and how to pay it back in a timely manner. Many high school students work. They should understand the importance of saving money and creating a retirement fund or managing their bank accounts. I am aware of the business classes offered at Altoona, but a full semester about business should not be needed just to learn about good money management and spending habits. 

Additionally, high schools need to bring back the idea of home economics classes. A class that teaches what should be basic life skills, but what many people cannot do. A class that would teach basic cooking, not a culinary class but enough to cook yourself a meal if needed. Learning how to sew or do simple mending in clothing are important skills to know. Even the basic tasks of cleaning or how to do laundry should be taught to high school students. Health class teaches students some basics about your body and how to stay healthy but these classes should establish and teach healthy habits while students are young.

Finally, school puts a lot of pressure on students about focusing on their future. Ever since my freshman year, I was expected to be completely sure about what I wanted to do when I grew up. Where I wanted to go to college? I am expected to have my whole life planned out. Schools should do more to prepare students for that. Instead of taking a whole semester class about random jobs, classes should take time to find what profession might fit the student. Classes should prepare students for after high school and finding a job. For example, teaching students how to form a strong resume, find a good job and work in a professional setting. Students should be able to be independent once they graduate from high school. They should also be able to use their time wisely in school and learn things that will actually help them when they grow up.