How Good Judgment Can Affect Your Present and Future

By a 6th grade student

Now here at Lufkin Road Middle, we receive a strong education in subjects like Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science, similar to most middle schools around the country. But as Albert Einstein once said, "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Though we learn a lot at Lufkin, there are things we are being sheltered from—things everyone needs to learn but that are not necessarily subjects. As this quote shows, sometimes learning is more than just your ordinary school subjects.

These life skills aren't being taught in school, yet they are essential as we get older and take on more responsibilities. These morals and ideals are just as important—if not more important—than ELA or Science. These qualities help shape us as people and influence how we handle challenges throughout life.

One example of these values is proper judgment. Specifically, well-guided judgment on what you want and what you need, even what's right or wrong. As we get older, these kinds of decisions become more important. Sometimes in life, we have to make a decision to prioritize needs over wants. For example, we might need to study for a test instead of going out with friends, or we might need to save money instead of spending it on something we like. When we use our brain and make the right decisions, it can help us build a better future, even when it's not the easiest decision to make.

However, many people choose what they want over what they need, especially when there’s no obvious or immediate consequence. In school, this can show up as students choosing not to do their homework or not studying because they assume they’ll get a chance to do it later. This kind of mindset of always expecting a second chance can lead to neglecting responsibilities. This carelessness will affect your life—not just in school—but in friendships, families, and later in work or college life.

Students develop this habit because schools give them too many chances. Teachers remind students of deadlines and advise them about missing work, but at the same time, late assignments are accepted and extensions are allotted pretty often. While this flexibility can be helpful—especially when a student is struggling—it also sends the wrong message: that deadlines don’t really matter, and that responsibility can always be put aside.

In my opinion, this school needs to be more assertive about teaching responsibility. That doesn’t mean being overly harsh to students, but rather being clear about expectations and holding students accountable. If students learn to take responsibility now, while they’re still in a benevolent environment, they’ll be much better prepared for the real world—where there might not be second chances. Later in life, when you miss a deadline or forget an assignment in college, it could lead to failing. At a real job, it could mean being demoted or even fired. In the real world, the stakes are high, and you can't afford to lose everything.

In conclusion, education is so much more than academics. Learning traditional subjects is very important, but so is learning how to make good choices.