Dear Editor,
At first I thought the opinion article “High school doesn’t prepare you for university” by Arlene Campbell was a spoof. In case she was serious, I’d like to respond to her points.
Campbell says, “No one ever gave lessons that centered on information we’d need to know,” such as household cleaning and meal preparation. Secondary school has courses on nutrition and hospitality, but no instruction on household cleaning. Surely assisting parents with household chores is the most effective way to learn to do laundry and select the right cleaning product.
She said, “ I never heard any of my teachers even suggest a lesson on skills that most people would need for their whole lives, like how much to tip, how to create a savings plan, or even how to budget.” Life skill courses, for essential level students, include how to count change and read a city bus schedule. The mandatory career studies course touches on budgeting, and there are a variety of business courses such as entrepreneurship and accounting. If she was unable to take these courses, there is a phone app to calculate tips.
The format for university papers does vary from secondary school. The requirements also change depending on the discipline of study. Some things must be learned at university.
Secondary school was not just about course content. It was a time to learn to collaborate, self-advocate, manage your time, and develop the skills to become a life- long learner. If you are blaming your high school for your current challenges, it is very likely that in a few short years you will be blaming the university for challenges finding employment, or your inability to perform in your chosen field. Be responsible for your situation, seek the information you need, and take ownership for your own success.
Marion Reidel,
Secondary School Teacher