School wasn’t just a place to learn about math or spelling. It quietly installed a whole operating system in us that we are still running as full-grown adults. And honestly? Most of it is outdated, glitchy, and low-key harmful. We picked up cues on how to behave, when to speak, when to stay quiet, and how to survive authority without rocking the boat.
And the real problem? Nobody told us when to uninstall those lessons.
So here we are – now we are adults, drained, and still behaving like someone is about to grade our whole personality. Time to face those habits that moved in with us… and never left.
Asking for Permission to Do Basic Things
At school, they told us to raise a hand before speaking or doing anything. These days, grown-ups still pause before doing anything. Instead of jumping in, they look around for approval. We even double-check to make obvious decisions. A feeling of “nervousness” sets in when we consider doing something without permission, even when there is no one in charge anymore.
Acting this way turns you into a follower, not someone being respectful. Real life does not have hall monitors. Every minute you spend waiting on approval, you’re missing big opportunities.
Treating Authority Like It’s Untouchable
Teachers used to be the final authorities. Rules were rules. They didn’t bend. If you spoke up, you would be in detention, or worse. This learned behavior sticks with us way past school years. Now we hesitate from calling out managers, company policies, or shady calls. Because we think whoever has the authority knows what’s best and is doing things for the best of a reason, when in reality, many times, they don’t.
School taught us to obey blindly. They never taught us how to think critically. Now that we are grown-ups, we are still blinded by this obedience. We stay in jobs we hate, put up with toxic coworkers, and are in situations we should absolutely question – but don’t.
Waiting to Be “Chosen”
Schools made it look like chances only show up when you’re chosen. Whether it’s a teacher, coach, or boss, you put your hand up and stay silent and pray that someone will notice you. As adults, we are still doing that. We wait around for a nod from our boss, a promotion, an invitation to something, and a sign that says it’s okay to make a move.
We are hesitant to voice our opinion, pursue jobs and opportunities – mostly ’cause we’re stuck believing approval comes from outside. Here’s the real deal: growing up means betting on yourself before anyone else does… and no school ever taught us how.
Thinking Being Silent Meant Being “Good”
The idea of “silence is golden” has been around for a long time. In many schools, shy or quiet students receive compliments from their teachers; creative or talkative students are given the label of “disruptive.” So, pretty soon, we picked up the message: fitting in was better than standing out.
As adults, we still continue to practice this idea of silencing our voices: we bite our tongues, put up with total nonsense, and sit quietly when asked something during meetings, even when we know the very right answer.
Comparing Yourself to Everyone Constantly
Ranking systems, class positions, and best performers. Everything was built into constant comparison. That was school and exams, and results. But that mindset never left. Today it is jobs, paychecks, love lives, promotions. We compare everything unconsciously.
Seeing someone move forward hits like falling short yourself. This habit of comparing ourselves against each other has stripped us of the ability to feel fulfilled, at ease, or see our lives in a broader perspective.
Waiting for Instructions Instead of Taking Initiative
In school, we only got rewards for following instructions and not for being creative. Therefore, you would sit back and wait for assignments. Instead of being creative, you would wait to be told exactly what to do. We were very much stuck on checklists. We stayed within lines and boundaries that kept us safe.
These days, unclear situations throw you off. When no one tells you what to do, you just go blank. Taking the lead seems very dangerous because classrooms taught you that going off script had serious consequences. Nobody taught you that life doesn’t come with manuals.
Thinking Mistakes Are Embarrassing
Doing something wrong in class felt like public embarrassment. People would laugh, pass judgments, and look at you sideways. That memory stays with you. So, now, you avoid taking risks and learning new skills. You feel that it is safer to blend in with everyone else than to stand out and risk being viewed as the clumsy one. However, the truth is that personal growth is messy. All grown-ups make mistakes.
School conditioned us to fear making mistakes instead of learning from our mistakes. Today (several years later), when you make a small mistake, the same fear sets in, and you freeze with fear that never lets you go.
Ignoring Your Body to “Push Through”
Bathroom breaks were scheduled; eating was on a timetable. If you were tired, you would just push through. The system taught you to ignore your physical needs just to keep up with unreal expectations.
Now we skip meals, ignore burnout, brush off fatigue, and glorify exhaustion. If you’re relaxing and taking a break, you feel guilty for not doing something meaningful. Getting things done seems way bigger than staying well. Sure, that mindset might’ve worked in classrooms – but now, as grown-ups, it only brings burnout, bitterness, and overload with the added pressure of unlimited demands.
16 Subjects They Never Taught Us in School (But Should Have)
These are the classes that should have made the syllabus but were crowded out by mitochondria facts and Shakespeare soliloquies. Here is a list of school subjects that don’t exist anymore (or never did)… but honestly, they should’ve.
16 Subjects They Never Taught Us in School (But Should Have)