Did school have a positive impact and equip you with the tools you needed for life? Or did it mould you to view education negatively, leaving you with more questions than qualifications?

Let’s dive in.

The Beginning

“I enjoyed school.”

Seven years of secondary education, and that’s my summation.

For me, school was a tale of two stories. At first, I was a quiet, significantly overweight kid with big, unruly “get up and go” blonde hair. It’s hard to imagine the response my mum must have given to the hairdresser when asked, “What are we having today?”

Despite my size, I was good at football, which eventually became a pivot point in my schooling experience.

By age 14 (Year 10), I had started to blossom. I slimmed down, became the school football captain, and my social life flourished. This role played a significant part in shaping my overall school experience.

Academically, however, school was just “okay.” I didn’t fail, but I didn’t excel either. My GCSEs and A-level results were mediocre, but I didn’t particularly care. My focus was on the social and sporting aspects of school rather than academics.

When I reflect on how school shaped the adult I became, I realise it had a profound impact. It provided some positive experiences, but it also left scars that took years to notice.

All Roads Lead to a Test

There’s no escaping this: academic success in school is largely measured by exams. While alternative routes like coursework exist, exams are still the dominant method of assessment.

The problem? Exams don’t suit everyone. They require preparation, focus, and a specific skill set that many 16-to-18-year-olds haven’t yet developed. Test anxiety is real. I experienced it firsthand, and back then, there was no “exam training” or support for the psychological pressures of exams.

Ohata’s study (2005) revealed that most participants feared taking tests due to the negative consequences of getting a bad grade.

Years later, as an adult aged 27, I found success in exams. What changed?

• I studied a subject that was interesting and relevant to me.
• I was motivated by career goals and personal ambition.
• My poor school experiences drove me to do better.
• Time and money were on the line, which heightened my commitment.

Exams mattered more to me as an adult because I chose to take them, and they aligned with my aspirations.

Trifoni and Shahini (2012) note that testing has become an inherent part of our society. It’s used not just in education but in every sphere of life, with many important decisions based on test results.

The Big Problems

There are two major issues with how school operates:

Big Problem 1: Academic Success Defines Pathways

Your immediate pathway after school often depends on success in subjects you might not enjoy. Many institutions require high grades in a broad range of subjects just to consider you, perpetuating the false narrative that without 5 A-C grades, your life is ruined.

Big Problem 2: Life-Changing Decisions at 16 and 18

At 16 and 18, you’re asked to make decisions about your future when you barely understand life. Looking back, many people realise the choices they made then weren’t the right ones, but it’s never too late to reverse those decisions.

Mental Scars Aren’t Forever

For some, school scars last a lifetime. Many people avoid exams altogether after leaving school, believing they’re “bad at exams” or “not academic.” But these are misconceptions.

If you could redo Year 10 and 11 as a 30-year-old, you’d likely achieve better results. Why? Because you’re no longer a child. You’ve developed resilience, focus, and life experience—traits that make a huge difference in learning.

Things Out of Your Control

Success at school often depends on factors outside your control:

• Was your school well-resourced and supportive?
• Were the teachers and leadership team effective?
• Did the environment suit your learning style?

With the right support and resources, anyone can excel. I’ll argue that point with anyone until the cows come home (though I still wonder where the cows go in the first place).

Social Experiences Count

I asked 10 learners in teaching roles if they enjoyed school.

• 30% said yes.
• 30% said yes and no.
• 40% said no.

When I dug deeper, those who enjoyed school thrived in diverse communities and had supportive teachers. Those who didn’t were often bullied or lacked connection to the environment.

Your Subconscious Self

School often conditions us to see ourselves a certain way:

• Were you popular or not?
• Top set or bottom set?
• Confident or anxious?

These perceptions may not reflect the adult you’ll become. Remember, you didn’t choose your school environment, and you were still a child making decisions with a limited understanding of life.

For me, school was mostly positive, but it left me underprepared for the challenges of adult life.

Important Life Skills the Curriculum Forgot

School teaches many valuable things, like writing and maths. But it often overlooks critical life skills like financial management, emotional intelligence, and mental health awareness.

For example, I spent hundreds of hours in French class and left knowing three phrases. If that time had been spent learning financial literacy, it would have served me far better as an adult.

Let’s Conclude

Here are three key takeaways for adult learners:

1. Your success at school was likely determined by timing, not ability.
2. The decisions you made at 16 and 18 were made by a child, not the adult you are now.
3. School social experiences often define how you felt about education, but they don’t define your potential.

Some people discover a love for learning early, while others take longer. If you’re in the latter group, remember: it’s never too late to rediscover education. Your journey is still ongoing.