In school, little things take on such large significance. Wear the wrong shirt and you're labeled a loser for life. Plant a wet one on your boyfriend, and once you break up, everybody whispers you're the worst kisser ever. But, as cliched as it is, life goes on. School taught me that if you move past your most embarrassing moments, everyone else eventually will, too.
Lindsey Guthrie
Edmond, Oklahoma
It's OK to admit that you can't do everything.
Arina Zonnenberg
Washington, D.C.
Practical Lessons
Whenever I asked my fourth-grade teacher how to spell a word, she would tell me to look it up in the dictionary. Not only do I still automatically look up a word when I'm stumped on how to spell it but I also pick up the dictionary just to learn new ones.
Bella Frank
Bethlehem, New Hampshire
I learned to "free-write" in college, which means spending 10 minutes writing whatever is in your head. Now I free-write whenever I feel overwhelmed. I can organize my thoughts or jot down a to-do list. If I declutter my brain, I am more productive.
Denise La Voire
Corona Del Mar, California
Learning how to read opened doors for me. Reading seems to be passive―it's quiet and still―but its impact is anything but. As a child, I read to escape. As an adult, I teach reading, in English-as-a-second-language classes.
Jenna Rindo
Pickett, Wisconsin
As a college-bound high school senior, I took a typing class. Two college degrees later, I can tell you that learning how to type was the most useful skill I picked up in school.
Claudia Pratt
San Francisco, California
How to write a letter. Each week throughout second grade, we would write a letter to a fellow student in our class. This taught me how to use words to express myself and showed me how much joy there is in receiving a letter from a friend.
Stacey Kawamoto
Kapolei, Hawaii
Once I learned how to do research, I always knew how to go about finding the information I needed.
S. Metz
Piscataway, New Jersey
Personal Lessons
Good people can make bad choices, whether about academics, social situations, or relationships. However, these decisions do not define who they are.
Kari Forde
Holmen, Wisconsin
I learned how to work in a team―how to recognize people's strengths and assign them roles accordingly. The result is a group that works harmoniously and efficiently.
Pilar M. Hernandez
Coral Gables, Florida
From a rather ugly fifth-grade experience, I learned that it doesn't matter what people think of you as long as you're happy with who you are. Also, I learned that if you kiss your boyfriend in front of your locker, you wind up in detention.
Jillian Stolgitis
Ashaway, Rhode Island
There are times when listening intently to a teacher is considerably more valuable than hurriedly writing down what she says. You walk away with a deeper understanding of the material.
Valerie Oliver
Tacoma, Washington
In sixth grade, I had to interview a representative from the Red Cross for a project. I was so shy that it took a week for me to drum up the nerve to call. When I finally did, the woman was so friendly and helpful. I realized what can happen if I set aside my shyness and reach out to someone.
Miette Wasson
Santa Rosa, California
I learned how to get along with a diverse group of people. As a Cuban American who went to an out-of-district high school, I had friends of many nationalities. This expanded my understanding of the world and how alike we all are.
Jacqueline Maria Viton
Myakka City, Florida
I learned how to think critically and ask questions.
Gwen George
Bastrop, Louisiana
Teachers are there to present material and guide you, but learning is entirely up to you. When you want to know about something, that's when you learn―not just because you're in class.
Anne Beneville
Upper Nyack, New York
Never second-guess yourself. Whether during a test or in life, your first instinct is usually the right one.
Alyssa Johnson
Olathe, Kansas
As a college sophomore, I realized how difficult my engineering major was and considered quitting. One of my professors suggested that I make sure I was switching to something and not away from something. I stuck with my major and learned that you shouldn't give up just because things get difficult.