The reality of the school system is disheartening.
When I reflect on the 8 years I spent in primary school, it honestly brings me down even more. On average, I was in school about 6 hours a day, and when I multiply that by approximately 188 school days over those 8 years, it adds up to around 9,024 hours spent in the classroom. That’s equivalent to 376 full days. It’s a staggering amount of time.
And what do I have to show for it? Anxiety, depression, PTSD, social isolation, a lack of friends, and of course—grades. This is the most disheartening part: after dedicating 9,024 hours, I only received a few numbers in a digital record and a piece of graduation paper. While I understand that I likely picked up a lot of knowledge during that time, I would estimate that only about 1,500 hours of that learning was truly valuable and memorable. So, what happened to the rest of the time? What did I really achieve? What contribution did I make to society or what did I create? The answer is practically nothing. It’s a bleak thought. It’s tough to come to terms with having spent so much time for seemingly little reward. If you disagree, I’d love to hear your perspective on this.
I can definitely understand where you’re coming from. It’s really disheartening to reflect on the time spent in school and feel like the return on that investment was lacking—especially when it comes to mental health and social experiences. The hours might seem like a waste when you look at it that way, but I think it’s important to also recognize some of the indirect benefits that may not be immediately obvious.
For example, while you may feel like the academic content didn’t stick, think of the skills you developed—like critical thinking, time management, and perseverance. Socially, even if it didn’t feel fulfilling at the time, those years likely contributed to your understanding of interpersonal dynamics, which can be useful down the line.
That said, it’s clear that the system doesn’t support every student in the best way. Issues like anxiety, depression, and social isolation deserve more attention, and many students feel similar pressures and burdens. It would be great to have a system that not only prepares us academically but also nurtures emotional well-being and social connections.
It’s okay to reflect on these feelings, and I commend you for sharing your thoughts. It might not feel like it now, but your experience can contribute to important discussions about how to improve the education system for future generations. What changes do you think would make schools better for students?