Let’s be honest — most of us have at least one story about our old school that makes us shake our heads or laugh in disbelief. Whether it was a strange school rule, a teacher who clearly didn’t want to be there, or a learning style that felt more robotic than human, many of us have walked through school gates knowing something just wasn’t quite right. And while I’m grateful for the education I received, there are definitely things I wish had been done differently.
Too Much Memorizing, Not Enough Understanding
In my school, academic success was defined by how well you could memorize and repeat. I remember preparing for a biology test where I confidently explained a concept in my own words — it was technically correct, but not word-for-word from the textbook. I got it wrong. That moment stuck with me. It taught me, not how to love science, but how to fear deviating from the script. Critical thinking wasn’t nurtured. Originality? That was a gamble. The goal was to pass, not to understand.
Life Lessons? Nowhere in the Curriculum
We were loaded with information but starved of preparation for actual life. We knew how to calculate the length of a shadow using trigonometry, but no one taught us how to manage time, deal with anxiety, or write a good CV. Emotional intelligence, digital literacy, conflict resolution — things we deal with every day — were just not part of the equation. I once watched a classmate cry silently through a math lesson. No one asked if she was okay. It wasn’t part of the “learning objectives.”
Students Had No Voice
Rules were non-negotiable, and questioning them meant “you lack respect.” I remember once suggesting we use a different method for a science experiment, and the teacher shut it down before I even finished my sentence. It wasn’t just about obedience — it was about discouraging curiosity. Decisions were made over our heads, and we were expected to just follow. That kind of environment doesn’t build confident, self-driven adults. It builds quiet compliance.
So, What Now?
Don’t get me wrong — it wasn’t all bad. I had some amazing teachers who cared deeply, and I made friends I still talk to today. But if we’re going to educate and empower the next generation, we’ve got to evolve. Schools need to be more than academic factories. They should be places where young minds are encouraged to ask “why,” not just memorize “what.” Where students are taught not just to pass exams, but to understand themselves, others, and the world they’re stepping into. What do you think was wrong with the school you attended? What do you wish was done differently — or what would you keep the same? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share this post with someone who’s got a story to tell. Let’s spark a conversation that leads to better classrooms, and better futures.
“The goal of education is not just to fill minds, but to free them.”
— Anonymous