Many Things You'd Never Be Taught In School: Negotiation & Laundry Skills

I have heard people say that we are products of the school we attended. But in actual fact, schools do not define who we become in the real world. I like the fact that schools play a vital role in who we become in life but school can never teach you some basic principles of life.

We cannot rule out the fact that most of what is needed to build a career through intelligence and brilliance is what is taught in school. Some of the basic concepts of Economics do not match the real life situation. On the other hand, school has a lot to teach us if we pay close attention.

I believe that when we convert our experience in the Biology, Chemistry, History and Geography (all subjects though) classes, we can relate and use them in our day to day real life engagements. This is not to say that we learn all things in school. The truth is that school only teaches you the content of the syllabus which in most cases has nothing to do with the home, work life generally.

One of the basic principles that I never got to learn in school is the power of negotiation. It is true that the spirit of resilience is not taught as a topic in school but through failing and setting goals for our academic achievement, we tend to learn how to remain focused and resilient in our daily pursuits.

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a building materials firm. It was my first experience with the building construction industry.

I attended the first symposium in my career but I met the amazement of my life where contractors would double the price of a building because customers may negotiate less than the actual price of putting up such edifice.

My first job came through a connection I made at the symposium. At first, I thought I got a good deal because of the huge amount of money involved. My only joy was that I did not over-spend from the funds, else I would have run into a huge debt.

The school curriculum does not involve some of the reality of the physical world. Most of the content of the syllabus contains only theorems but fails to put real life situations as a testing ground for such theorems.

After my experience with the first deal where I had only a very minute profit, I thanked my stars that I did not fall into deficit after paying everyone who played a support role in the building project.

Soon, I became an expert in quantifying the structural design of a building before construction begins. I rather not take a deal that would put me in jeopardy. My peace of mind is necessary. Even if nah to drink garri with my family in joy, no qualms.

School does not also certainly teach you how to be a good husband or wife. You will not learn how to make your bed or even cook Oha soup at school hehe. There are possibly many things you will never learn in school.

My current neighbour once told me how his cousin's sister was sent back to her mother to learn how to make local food because she couldn't do it. The lady got married and was covering up her inability to prepare food in the kitchen by feeding her husband with foods made in restaurants. It didn't take long for her husband to discover.

Most schools are beginning to add more colour to their curriculum by adding everyday life activities to what they have to offer. A school in the Lekki axis of Lagos has added laundry into the trade subjects that are taught. You know, there is a way to put a midas touch on cloth when doing laundry, no school will ever teach you that.

There are a million and one things that the school curriculum will not even attempt to teach. You know this and know peace.

All images are mine