A High School Retrospective
There are a lot of things I talk about, but usually I try to avoid high school. This is primarily because there are a lot of bad memories. Dealings with bullies, missed opportunities, kicking myself for former mistakes…but today I’m going to discuss probably the most important of these: bullshit courses. The same could be applied to my college experience, but that will have to wait for another day.
So what courses are absolute bullshit and really only serve as fluff for the teacher’s union? A lot, actually. Now sure, circumstances would probably be different if my career path was different, but remember that I’m talking about HIGH SCHOOL and not elementary or grade school or whatever the fuck it’s called now. I’m talking about courses that were required for graduation that you either did or didn’t get to choose from.
I guess the first thing I should start with is my opinions on what I actually use in the world today.
Math
The numbers are coming! THE NUMBERS ARE COMING!!
I love math. I’ve always been good at it. Always. The ability to think in such a logical manner is necessary for a wide variety of jobs and careers, but it’s also necessary in modern day living. But the real question is just how good do you have to be at math to get by? Not very, actually. Usually you can get by simply by knowing how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, provided you can do it all in your head.
It also doesn’t hurt to know basic statistics, algebra, fractions, and percentages. Why? Well, knowing fractions and percentages, for example, is helpful in figuring a tip at a restaurant. This also plays into statistics, but really, that’s only truly necessary if you’re trying to get an approximate probability or figure out the odds on something. Finally, algebra is helpful for basic deduction.
Yeah, it’s just a bunch of numbers, but the ability to scrutinize and break down something like that is very handy. Beyond that, though…calculus? Pre-calculus? Well, I suppose it would be helpful if you plan on being a scientist or whatever, but otherwise they’re kinda worthless. Trigonometry is helpful if you plan on getting into carpentry, drafting, or whatever, but otherwise it’s kinda worthless too.
So really, as long as you understand up to algebra, you should be set.
English
evr tri 2 sp33k wth sum1 hoo talx liek tihs? Yeah, me too. And goddamn it’s annoying. A better grasp on the English language means being able to more easily understand the more vocabulary inclined individuals and not talking like that on the Internet. And no, it’s not short hand, fuck you. But where should we stop when it comes to English courses?
Well, that depends on personal preference. If you absolutely suck at English courses, you’d be better off learning how to spell, speak, write, etc., then fuck higher level English courses and read what YOU want to read. Sure, you’ll seem a lot smarter if you’re well versed in various classic authors’ works, but if you’re not really into it, fuck it.
Social Studies/History/Geography
That looks familiar, but I don’t think it’s in America, so fuck it.
These all seem like important classes, but they’re not. Actually, that’s not entirely true. If you plan on travelling, yes. And you should at least know your basic history, but especially in the American school system, you don’t learn enough about world history because if it didn’t involve America, it didn’t happen. If that sounds horrible, that’s because it is. Unfortunately when I was going to school we didn’t learn much about other countries and it was awful when we did because it was unfamiliar, foreign, and typically done so sparsely you weren’t going to remember it anyway.
Chemisty/Science/Biology
Very funny, Mavis Beacon, now get back in the kitchen.
Worthless. If they’re subjects that interest you, have at them. Maybe you can make a career out of them. Otherwise, they don’t do anything for you. Ever.
Shop/Industrial Arts/Agriculture
Go roll in the mud, Pigpen.
Again, worthless unless you intend to make a career of them. And even if they interest you, if you don’t plan to do something with them, you’re just wasting your time.
Computer Courses
Obviously I’m going to say these are important, but it also depends. How quick are you at typing already? Do you plan on getting into any kind of software devlopment or IT work or whatever? If you honestly plan on taking it to the next level, stick with it. Otherwise, just basic typing and knowing how to google will suffice. And if you change your mind, there are always technical colleges that can help you brush up on your skills, earn certifications quickly, etc.
Gym
“How’d I get this rockin’, lady slayin’ bod? One word, bro: Badminton. Aww yeah.”
I may be just about the most out of shape motherfucker ever and not really sticking to any sort of workout plan, but I will fully endorse gym…in some areas. Doing basic calisthenics? Good. Running laps? Good. Teaching proper weightlifting/aerobics? Good. Unsupervised locker rooms? BAD. Unsupervised football? BAD. Playing baseball on concrete? BAD. Badminton? BAD.
For the most part, the physical education program at my school was pretty solid, but there were a number of stupid choices they’d make from time to time that definitely needed to be analyzed. Even if you’re out of shape, lazy, or whatever, gym is a good course. I would say ESPECIALLY if, but to each their own.
Art
Art can be fun. It can also be gay. It can also be retarded if you get a teacher that’s especially critical and you’re not that artistically inclined. Failing art class is one of the most annoying things that can happen to you. Never happened to me, but it almost did at one point when we had a substitute for a while covering that was a college art major. Yeah…fuck that shit.
Art is also kinda worthless. Sure, it’s a fun course, but again, if you’re not very creative, you’re probably not going to go anywhere with it.
Second Language Courses
Want to speak like a spic? Or a kraut? Or a wop? Or a nip? Or a frog? And are you doing it for any reason other than trying to pick up the foreign exchange student that doesn’t find you attractive anyway? Thought so. Pass.
Health/Sex Education
“Hu-huh…hu-huh…titties…”
Both of these are important courses, but when to teach them and how to handle them? Honestly? Right as soon as you get into high school. I know, I know…there are more conservative parents that would rather they not even learn at all, but learning early and learning correctly is key to ensuring a lessening of unwanted teen pregnancy.
Home Economics
HAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!! Get outta my face with that fucking shit. If you plan on being a good cook, that means you probably already have talent and will go on to culinary school. This course is fucking worthless. Always has been. Period.
Career Development
(Don’t say cock, don’t say cock, don’t say cock, don’t say-)
“Hello there, Mr. Andrews. My name is Stephen Thompson and I understand you’re interested in-”
“COCK!! Wait, wait…shit…FUCK!”
*Darts out the door*
Surprisingly, this is one course that usually yet get just one and only when you’re getting ready to graduate. This is something I think should be reinforced in 15 year olds and up until you graduate. I’m not saying have the same class over and over, but maybe have more courses. It’s important to know how to interview well, the right questions to ask, how to answer the tough questions, and how to prepare yourself for the interview.
Unfortunately, the best we did in our school was learn how to type up resumes. Balls.
Extracurriculars
That would be the Mr. Slave Special, correct?
This is going to be hard for me because I’m kinda torn on this one. Okay, sports? Fun, but unless you plan to make something of them they’re only going to help in the short term. Meaning it will be great for networking and being active at least when you’re young and hopefully fostering the idea of staying in shape, but there’s always the chance of you focusing more on your extracurriculars than your required courses.
And of course, you’ll be pressured to do so by your coach, instructor, or whoever, so that’s no help. Same deal goes with band club. Sure, it may be fun in the moment, but I don’t remember how to read music, play the trombone, or even who all was in the band anymore. A waste of time to say the least. Fun in the short run, but that’s about it.
Conclusion
From the sound of it, it seems as though all I care about teaching kids is sex, math, English, how to get a job, and gym. And you’d be right. Granted, if you plan on going into other careers than mine, it makes sense that others would be more important. However, often kids don’t really know what they want to do. Hell, most adults have no idea what they fucking want.
It makes sense that the teaching spectrum would be like this, trying to cover all its bases, but often they concentrate so hard on things that are really only sorta necessary in learning and won’t help you in the real world unless you plan to make something of it. And it sounds like I’m biased because of my career path, but the truth is you can’t go wrong with technology.
There are many aspects of it and you’ll need to have at least a rudimentary understanding of computers so you can type, use the Internet, and more. Even if you don’t make a career out of it, it pays to understand that kind of stuff. And I’m not saying these courses shouldn’t be OFFERED to students, but forcing them into some of these is just blind bullshit on the teachers’ parts.
Most of the points in this post look at what you need for what you will do. And you point out that even though even at adult age most people don’t know what they want to do. Average career change for a person is around 7 or so. However you are promoting vocational schooling in a way, as the idea in how far can you go with the subject in question for your job. Education is a fucked up thing in that until you make the decision as to what you want to do, then it is relevant. Don’t get me wrong GS, I like this article! You are making me rant because you made me think bro. I don’t agree with all your points, but the fact that you talk about it candidly, I appreciate it.
A subject area I’d like to point out:
1). “Social Studies/History/Geography” – I can tell you with having read many, curriculum for Social Studies in most 1st world nations is based on an idea of being all-inclusive (hence, combining all aspects of learning) towards “citizenship building.” This is nothing new, in fact the nationalism inspiring the First World War was considered in part to be caused by the subject area of Social Studies. Huh… wish I had the source for that handy. That is what “Social Studies” is, while it includes History and Geography, it is to include everything else. Zen. A pretty impossible task on paper. Yet…
With good educators behind it, it can be the most positively influencial in shaping your country and/or world. Ideally the point is to prevent ignorance, stupidity, and preventing most of the stuff we shit on here at the Nation. It becomes an issue of how well it gets implemented, and sadly it is not as good as it could be. Not about brainwashing or propaganda. Rather about giving a shit, being a decent person, having an open mind and more control of your self and environment by understanding it. I was lucky to have some kick-ass Social teachers who helped me see how to harness learning in all subject areas to my advantage. Ahh… Social Studies, a utopian ideal. (/rant)
I also took some classes beyond what ever I use them for in day to day life. Won’t lie.
I agree with G.
Also, I learned stuff in home ec. My mom was not an especially good cook, and I DID end up working with food for 14 years. I might never have gotten some of those concepts without that class. Not that everybody needs it, but I certainly don’t think it’s a BAD thing to know how long you want to cook your pasta, or how to mix muffin batter so that your muffins don’t turn into rocks.
In general, I think the more well-rounded your education, the more well-rounded your life will be. But the teachers need to be able to make the subjects interesting and relevant, and that doesn’t always happen.
It sounds like we agree 100% on this. I’ve always said that basic math and reading/writing were all that you REALLY need going into the vast majority of jobs, and the rest can be taken care of via job-specific training on your own time. The problem isn’t that they try to teach you all these other subjects. Some of them are fun, interesting, and can be of value. The problem is that they MAKE you learn them or else not get the piece of paper at the end that makes you employable. Unless you have a really progressive and enlightened prospective employer, it often goes like this: diploma >> college >> job. And unless you’re somehow independently wealthy, no job >> no money >> no food, shelter, etc. So to attach that sort of long-term pressure on a subject like art, or even some of the core shit like science or advanced math and English, is a sign of a very faulty system. Why should a lack of proof of knowledge in a subject disqualify a job applicant, if that subject is of no importance to the applied-for job?
I am a little pissed that there are not a lot of comments on this article as it was a morphine classic. Even when I don’t agree, I think this is awesome.