Got an email from a recent student, thanking me for helping her with a little technical problem she was having on her new job. Tagged on was this line:

college may teach you a lot of things but i have found it doesnt teach you everything….like how to find the hour meter or how to send a DHL package.

I guess I have a few more things to add to my syllabi. A brief list, add to it if you think of other things:

• How to buy a reliable car
• Choosing work shoes
• How to tell when you’re being lied to in an interview
• Filing your tax returns (or quarterly payments)
• How to explain you’ll be late for (Thanksgiving) dinner (Again)
• Choosing a cell phone plan
• Setting up a (secure) wireless router
• Building an archive
• Choosing proper tires and selecting a tire pressure gauge 

There’s more, I’m sure … I’m going to go ponder the difference between teacher and life coach for a while now.