3. If you could design a class to be taught in schools, what would it be about and why? How does it reflect your values and interests?

If I could design a class to be taught in schools, I would set up a class called “Practical Life Skills”, which would include cooking, emotional management, and budgeting.

As a child, I never received any knowledge about these practical life skills in school. As I get older, I often find myself don’t know how to cook, handle emotional challenges, and spend my money wisely. It would be a lot better if I can learn them in the first place.

I disagree about children only learning academic subjects in school, many other knowledge is as important. Many students lack the knowledge of love, death and daily normative behaviors. For example, I do know how to solve functions in math, but I don’t know how to apply for medical insurance or even take the subway few years ago. Schools should teach their students those required skills before they are on their own or graduate.

It is also essential to teach students how to face emotional challenges. In their teens, students might encounter many troubles or depression, like jealousy, the doubt of not fitting into groups, academic anxiety, first love, and many others. If they lack mentors that can support them or teach how to correctly manage these challenges, some will likely get worse by solving things on their own.

Next, the cooking module would cover meal planning, grocery shopping on a budget, and simple, nutritious recipes. Students could create freely in a kitchen lab, learning skills that promote independence and health.

After students graduate, it is .

I believe this style of teaching could improve students’ independence and resilience. Sometimes responsibility and creativity are more essential that academic subjects. By equipping students with real-world tools, this class would empower them to thrive beyond the classroom. By graduation, they’d feel prepared not just for college or careers, but for life’s unpredictable challenges. In a world that’s rapidly changing, “Practical Life Skills” would empower students to take control of their futures—one small, practical step at a time.