Why Students Love or Hate School: A Personal Insight
As a former student, I can attest to the varied experiences of school that both excite and frustrate learners. My own journey through school was fraught with stress and challenges, primarily due to my autism.
Challenges of Middle School
During the 3rd and 4th grades, my stress levels significantly increased. The coursework became more demanding, and I was forced to develop new study skills. With precious little time left for personal interests, I found myself in a tense atmosphere, especially with misbehaving students constantly disrupting the class. The presence of substitute teachers often brought a further complication, leading to reports of poor behavior. My teacher seemed to accuse the whole class of misbehavior, even though I knew I was doing well, which added to the stress.
Homeschooling: A Game-Changer
The turning point came when I was homeschooled in 5th grade. This was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Homeschooling provided a controllable environment where I could thrive without the external pressures of a school setting.
Subject Preferences and School Structure
Not all students feel the same way about school. Secondary school, in particular, can be a daunting experience, especially when subjects are streamed into Arts and Science. For example, in my school, Arts and Science students were separated, meaning I had to take subjects like Business Management and Accounting, which I did not enjoy. More flexible schools allow for more subject mixing, but I opted for Arts to study Language and Literature in preparation for O and A Levels.
The rigid structure of some schools can be off-putting. As a teenager, I and my peers found it sometimes disempowering to be told how we should feel about subjects and how they deemed them necessary. Explaining the real-world application of subjects would have made them more appealing.
Engagement vs. Memorization
Overall, many schools tend to make education feel mundane rather than enjoyable. Simply stressing the importance of studying and maintaining good grades is not enough. Instead, schools should focus on showing the real-life importance of the subjects to capture students' interest. By doing so, not only will students be more motivated, but they will also be more likely to consider long-term educational goals.
In conclusion, schools often treat students more like sheep than individual human beings. While this might work for some, it certainly did not align with my personal experience. I hope this insight can shed light on why some students may love or hate school, based on their personal experiences.