Prepare For The Future by Leda Carys

Prepare For The Future by Leda Carys - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I think about the future of education, I don't just imagine better classrooms or faster technology. I imagine schools that prepare students for the lives they will actually live. Over the next ten years, I hope to see education change in ways that connect more directly to the skills, responsibilities and opportunities we will face outside of school.

One change I would like to see is replacing study halls with classes that teach survival skills for adulthood. Many of us spend hours in study hall quietly working, but we could spend that same time learning skills that every adult needs, like budgeting, time management, or even preparing for the driver's permit test. Imagine if schools offered workshops where students practiced creating a weekly budget, setting goals, or scheduling their time effectively. These are skills that affect every part of our future, no matter what career path we choose, yet they are rarely taught directly in classrooms.

Another area I hope education improves is helping students bridge the gap between school life and the outside world. Too often, students are left to navigate important milestones on their own, like getting a driver's permit or finding volunteer opportunities. Some students have families who can guide them step by step, while others don't, and that creates a gap in who succeeds and who struggles. Schools could help by providing outlines, links, or step by step guidance so students aren't left behind. For example, a short seminar on how to prepare for the learner's permit test could make a huge difference for those who might not have outside support.

Volunteer opportunities are another area where schools could lead. Volunteering has been one of the most meaningful parts of my own education, giving me not just hours of service but lessons in patience, responsibility, and leadership. But for many students, finding volunteer opportunities feels confusing or overwhelming. If schools volunteer, just create a clear database of opportunities, it would help more students get involved. It would also teach us that education is not only about personal success but about giving back to the community.

All of these changes come back to one idea: preparing students for real life. In ten years, I hope education shifts from being mostly about tests and memorization to being about applications and connections. We will always need math, reading, and science, but we also need to know how to apply those skills to our daily lives. Students should leave high school not only with academic knowledge, but also with confidence in handling adult responsibilities like managing money, scheduling their time, navigating government systems, and contributing to their communities.

If education can grow in this direction, students will graduate not just as test-takers, but as well-rounded young adults ready to face the future. I believe the classroom of tomorrow should teach us how to balance a budget alongside managing an essay, and how to be engaged citizens alongside being successful students. That is the kind of education I hope to see over the next ten years.