School Reformation

One can learn from a simple observation that apathy, pessimism, and helplessness are side effects of school. Although these common emotions are not the bath water of every student, research has shown that with simple actions in different situations, one can oppose their struggles with these negative feelings. First, by increasing action and productivity in the classroom, students can leave class feeling more fulfilled and determined to face the next day. Second, offering equal opportunity for all students to pursue career education, constructing stability, promise, and strong aspiration in them. Third, using subliminal messages to increase general optimism in students. And lastly, increasing teacher appreciation, creating reciprocated optimism.

To decrease unhappiness and apathy in the classroom, the administration can require teachers to incorporate a hands-on activity in their teachings at twice a week. This would result in students' confidence in the learning material. It would also give the students an elaborate rehearsal, efficiently assisting the learned information into their long-term memory. Ensuing this would have a subtle cost, the changes made would not put financial strain on the administration, only creativity from the teachers. According to the Pursuit of Happiness, a book written by psychologist David Myers, researches have discovered that people experience exhilaration in a flow with an activity that fully engages their skills. Flow experiences boost their sense of self-esteem, competence, and well-being. Furthermore, people report more positive feelings when interrupted while doing something active, something that engages their skills. Meaning and challenge need to be present in an activity to experience this positive flow. This can be seen in Mrs. Szczesny's scavenger hunts, or Mrs. Arm's dissection activities. Students display excitement and enthusiasm, and spend a long time anticipating certain infamous activities. It would be beneficial to make this enthusiasm constant, by requiring teachers to use activities such as these on a weekly basis.

Before students can thrive in the classroom, a larger task must be accomplished. A consensus needs to be reached, and the learning desire of the entire student body needs to increase significantly. What better way to accomplish this then to start preparing students for what gives their lives purpose, careers. The school should offer grades nine and up, classes and workshops focused on career training. For instance, there could be a class for students who wish to enter the medical field. The students could do mock procedures, and the teachers could book field trips to hospitals. The same goes for other careers. Enacting these classes would be more troublesome than the last, and cost a substantial amount. New teachers and officials would need to be hired, as well as new materials, and gas money for field trips. In the Pursuit of Happiness, David Myers points out that through work one defines themselves, and builds a legacy that gives their life meaning. If students start to feel at an early age, meaning in their life, and stronger aspiration propelling them more and more each day, than students would start to want to come to school, and desire to learn more about their career, and the classes required to finish school, permitting them to focus on their calling. David Myers also explains that work adds to ones personal identity. One of the main causes of insecurity and apathy is a lack of personal identity, which is present in almost all adolescents. If the school were to help instill identity among students, there would be a significant rise in academic success. Lastly, David Myers writes that through work, one identifies with a community, and constructs a social identity. What better way to increase cooperation in schools then to make students feel like they belong in the school they're in. By offering career training and job shadowing workshops, students will experience similar psychological side effects that which David Myers describes, defining themselves, identifying themselves, and creating a social identity.

Through it all, students will look forward to the next day of school.

In order to make the last two proposals work