There’s a lot I learnt sitting on a classroom bench. Formulas, dates, definitions and diagrams. But stepping out of school and stepping into real life? That’s where the real education started.
One thing school never taught me is how to deal with people. I was never taught how to handle betrayal, jealousy, or fake friendships. In class, we learnt how to pass exams, but life doesn’t come with past questions. It gives you sudden tests, no warnings, no hints. And you either learn from it or keep repeating it.
School taught me how to cram information for a test, but it didn’t teach me how to manage my emotions when things fall apart. I had to learn on my own how to stay calm when someone disappoints me. How to stand up for myself without being rude. And how to move on when something or someone I counted on fails me.
Life taught me patience. Not the type we pretend to have in school when a boring teacher is talking. I mean real patience, like when you're applying for jobs, sending CVs everywhere and no one is replying. Or waiting for money that isn’t coming anytime soon. Or when you want to give up but somehow, you still push.
One big lesson life gave me is the power of saying "no." In school, we mostly followed orders. Do your assignment. Write your notes. Answer this question. But outside school, you need to learn to say no , to people who want to take advantage of your kindness, to things that don’t align with your peace of mind, and to yourself when you want to take the easy way out.
Another thing is money. School didn’t teach me how to handle money. I had to make mistakes, lose some cash, and learn how to save, budget and invest. I once lost money in a shady business in 2017, and since then I promised myself never again. That pain became my teacher. It taught me how to be more careful and more strategic with every coin I have.
Let’s not even talk about time management. I used to think because I passed my exams, I was good with time. But life made me realise that managing 24 hours is different when you have bills, responsibilities and pressure. Now I use a notebook, alarms, anything that helps me stay on track.
And lastly, life taught me that learning never ends. You don’t graduate from learning. Even the person you look up to is still figuring things out. Every day brings a fresh opportunity to grow, and that's what makes life interesting.
School was good. It gave me foundation. But life? Life gave me depth.
To anyone still in school or just leaving, prepare your heart and mind. The biggest teacher isn’t standing in front of a chalkboard, it’s life itself. It’s in your mistakes, your little wins, your heartbreaks, your hustle, and your daily struggles.
