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What They Forgot To Teach You At School: Essential emotional lessons needed to thrive Spiral-Bound | October 5, 2021

The School of Life

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A collection of the essential emotional lessons we need in order to thrive.

A collection of the essential emotional lessons we need in order to thrive.


We probably went to school for what felt like a very long time. We probably took care with our homework. Along the way we surely learnt intriguing things about equations, the erosion of glaciers, the history of the Founding Fathers, and the tenses of foreign languages.


But why, despite all the lessons we sat through, were we never taught the really important things that dominate and trouble our lives: who to start a relationship with, how to trust people, how to understand one’s psyche, how to move on from sorrow or betrayal, and how to cope with anxiety and shame?


The School of Life is an organization dedicated to teaching a range of emotional lessons that we need in order to lead fulfilled and happy lives – and that schools routinely forget to teach us. This book is a collection of our most essential lessons, delivered with directness and humanity, covering topics from love to career, childhood trauma to loneliness. 


To read this book is to be invited to lead kinder, richer, and more authentic lives – and to complete an education we began but still badly need to finish. This is homework to help us make the most of the rest of our lives.


  • EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE essential skills and lessons to help you thrive at work, at home, and in relationships.
  • GIFT beautifully packaged in premium gift format.
  • A HELPFUL GUIDE to what really matters, written with directness and humanity.
  • A PRIMER ON LIVING WELL philosophical concepts simplified and applied to modern life.


Publisher: Ingram Publisher Services
Original Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 160 pages
ISBN-10: 1912891395
Item Weight: 0.46 lbs
Dimensions: 4.9 x 0.48 x 6.7 inches

"This practical guide has a barrage of ideas on facing the real challenges of 21st-century life, including how to understand our emotions, find and sustain love, succeed at work, fail well, build self-confidence and overcome shame and guilt. Now’s the time to banish the old school myth of a perfect life and throw yourself into making the most of what you have got." – Jane Garton, Waitrose Weekend


"What They Forgot to Teach You At School contains a number of useful tips to minimize the risk of living someone else's life... it's a manifesto for going to your grave without regrets" – Irish Times 


"Brilliant book" – Ayesha Hazarika, Times Radio


"This is a subject I absolutely love" – Jo Good, BBC London


***What readers are saying***


"This is a well thought out and well written exploration of the real life lessons that perhaps we don't get taught as children. Given what is being thrown at us at the moment, I found it really helpful to take a step back and think about things that actually matter to me and might help with clarity in dealing with stuff." – NetGalley review


"Brief, dense and uplifting – this is a great introduction to the work of The School of Life . . . A compelling and reassuring treatise on the lessons we learn far too late in life." – NetGalley review


"Amazing short book full of wisdom that definitely would have helped me a lot in the last 10+ years after school. Hopefully will get to apply some of this wisdom in what is left of my life. Definitely a book that I will be gifting to all my close friends and referring back again and again." – Goodreads review


"I completely agree with the author on the importance of learning emotional alongside technical skills." – NetGalley review


"A great guide of some of life’s values, which are most simple yet often forgotten about." – NetGalley review

The School of Life is a global organization helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfillment. The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socializing, finding calm, and enjoying culture through content, community, and conversation. You can find us online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the world offering classes, events, and one-to-one therapy sessions.

The School of Life is a rapidly growing global brand, with over 6 million YouTube subscribers, 351,000 Facebook followers, 218,000 Instagram followers and 163,000 Twitter followers.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring, and sane.