In this informal monologue, the speaker—who left school at 16—reflects on three practical skills he wishes had been taught in school to better prepare students for real‑world life. First, he emphasizes the importance of learning how to invest money early, describing missed opportunities and the potential for wealth growth. Second, he highlights the power of cultivating a strong mindset, arguing that mental training is a hidden superpower often ignored in favor of rote memorization. Third, he advocates for Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu as a school subject, citing its lessons in self‑defense, discipline, perseverance, and community, and suggesting it would act as a "cheat code" for life. Throughout, he blends personal anecdotes with a call for curriculum reform, positioning these skills as essential life tools that schools currently overlook.
Chapters
3 things I wish I learnt at school to prepare me for the real world. For anyone that doesn't know, I left school at the tender age of 16 and went straight out to work. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I picked up more practical skills and knowledge outside of the classroom than I ever did within those 4 walls. Now, if only my teachers were a bit more in touch with reality, they could have taught me a thing or 3 about what it's like to be in the real world. Today I wanted to share the top 3 things that I wish someone taught me at school. Consider it my own gift to the next generation of students. Number 1: How to invest my money. Investing your money in the right things is like planting a money tree. It may take some time to grow, but when it bears fruit, it will be sweet. If only someone had shown me the ropes and taught me the importance of investing back then, I could have made it into a small fortune. Instead, I let my hard-earned cash die in a slow death in my bank account, losing value with every passing year. But hey, better late than never. I'll have that Lamborghini very soon, don't you worry. Number 2: The power of a strong mindset. When it comes to building a successful life, having the right mindset is like having a secret superpower. It's what separates the masters of the universe from the mere mortals. Unfortunately, most of us were not taught about the sheer power and potential of our own minds. Instead, we were taught to memorize useless facts and figures just like a parrot, only to completely forget them as soon as the test was over. But just imagine if we were taught to harness the power of our minds from a young age. It literally would have transformed our realities. Number 3: Martial arts. Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a life-altering experience for me. It's not only taught me how to defend myself, it's shown me the power of discipline, the importance of perseverance, and how to gracefully tap out when one of my sparring partners is about to break my arm. If only I had discovered this martial art during my teenage years at school, it would have been like getting a cheat code for life. It would have given me a sense of direction, purpose, and community during a time when I desperately needed it. That's why I truly believe that every school should have Brazilian jiu-jitsu as part of the curriculum. It's not just a sport or martial art, it's a way of life that can transform anyone who practices it.
