Growing up, I loved going to school. I enjoyed learning, socializing with friends and participating in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. But when I think back on my days as a student, I remember the people and experiences fondly. However, I do not feel the same way about the environment I was in.
My high school was constantly under construction while I attended, and it was anything but pleasant. Dust was everywhere, loud drilling occurred all day long, and bizarre routes between buildings meant that I was almost always running late for class.
But education should be enjoyable! And thankfully, there are plenty of schools and universities out there that actually prioritize creating an exciting learning environment. Bored Panda has scoured the internet to find photos of the most interesting and brilliant things students have spotted in their schools, so we've gathered some of their best finds down below!
#1 Saw This In A Classroom After Class
Image credits: NativeSummit
#2 Say Hello To My University's Library Cat
Image credits: BipolarMindAtNotEase
#3 Stairs At Balamand University, Lebanon
Image credits: oubelin
There are plenty of days when I’m frustrated with being an adult, often when it comes time to pay rent or buy my own groceries. But I have to admit that I’m very thankful to be done with my school days. I had a great time, and I made some amazing friends. But if I had the chance to go back in time and do it all again, you couldn’t pay me enough to trade in the freedom I have now.
According to a 2022 study from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the Yale Child Study Center, almost three quarters of students report having negative feelings towards school. And when asked to rank the emotions that they most commonly feel, students most often reported feeling tired, stressed, bored and calm. Happiness came next.
#4 Our School’s Service Dog, Lucy, Made It Into The Staff Page Of The Yearbook
Image credits: grass-vaughan
#5 University’s Way Of Showing How To Correctly Wear Your Mask
Image credits: ariyl
#6 They Had A Bike At My School To Blend A Smoothie That They Were Handing Out At Lunch
Image credits: _Nrpdude_
It makes sense that so many students don’t have glowing reviews about their time in school. Despite how many adults tell kids and teens that they’re in the best years of their lives, it often doesn’t feel like that. One fifth of students experience bullying, and only 50% of girls in 9th grade would describe themselves as confident. Being a kid should be carefree and easy, but the reality is that it’s not all sunshine and roses for everyone.
And being a teen is almost always worse. KFF reports that one fifth of teens report having symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 20% admit that they’re not getting the therapy they need due to the cost, being scared of what others may think and simply because they don’t know how or where to go for help.
#7 My School's Library Has A Banned Book Section
Image credits: madethisforposts
#8 This School In Vancouver, BC (Canada) Installed A Slide, So Kids Can Take That Instead Of The Stairs To Leave The School
Image credits: palmerry
#9 There Is A Free “Period Pack” At My School For Girls Who Are Unprepared For Their Periods
Image credits: thicc-nibba420
So what can we do to better support our students? Well, one of the first steps should be focusing on cultivating a safe and inviting learning environment. Teachers cannot control what is going on in a student’s life outside of school, but they can work to improve their experience in the classroom. According to the University of Buffalo, students have more trust in themselves and their educators when they are in a positive learning environment.
#10 My Environmental Science Class With Real Plants On The Wall
Image credits: daily_joe
#11 My School's Library Has Noise-Level Guides That Change Color When It Gets Too Loud
Image credits: Blackborealis
#12 My Cooking Class Has A Mirror On The Ceiling So We Can See What The Teacher Is Doing
Image credits: Levelis
Instead of creating a classroom where students feel judged or unsafe and second guess themselves constantly, teachers should work towards making students feel supported and comfortable. They should know that mistakes are acceptable and inevitable, and they should feel like their ideas are heard and listened to. Students should be invited to share their thoughts openly, and teachers should respond accordingly. A collaborative environment is much more exciting than one where teachers simply speak and students simply listen.
#13 These Medieval Ruins Were Randomly Found Under A School Gym Hall. The School Was Founded In 1276 And Is The Oldest School In Finland
Image credits: jones_666
#14 My University Library Has A Wall Where You Can Quite Literally Take A Seat
Image credits: Naco88
#15 Science Teacher’s Desk Is A Fish Tank
Image credits: moneymattharris
Getting students engaged in learning can be a challenge, but it’s certainly worth it for teachers who see their class’ grades improve and who get to work with excited young minds every day. When it comes to getting students more involved in their learning, Education Week recommends building great relationships with students. One way educators can do this right off the bat is by working together with students at the beginning of the year to create rules for the classroom. This gets the class involved, and it allows everyone to feel part of the decision making in the classroom.
#16 My School Put Colored Bricks In The Shape Of The Handicap Logo Instead Of Painting It
Image credits: kHusKee
#17 Chemistry Teacher Made Their Classroom Ceiling The Elements
Image credits: Plebsplease
#18 Pre-School Placed A "Picture Day" Reminder Sticker For Us On The Middle Of My Son's Back So He Couldn't Remove It
Image credits: sbvp
It’s also wise for educators to ask their students questions to get them engaged in the classroom. It’s easy for students, especially kids, to completely zone out during a lesson. But when they’re asked to actively participate and share their thoughts, paying attention becomes a lot more important. Plus, it’s another opportunity for them to realize that their teacher is actually listening to them.
#19 These Parking Spots For Alternative Modes Of Transport At My Uni
Image credits: TheRealLuftwaffel
#20 My 1st Grader Lost A Tooth During Class And The School Sent It Home In This Tiny, Tooth-Shaped Container
Image credits: smugmisswoodhouse
#21 This Bottle Has A Map Of All The Water-Filling Stations Around Campus On It
Image credits: ivb107
Educators can provide opportunities for choice for their students as well. This might mean giving the class an option between two different assignments every now and then or letting them vote on which day out of the week the next math test will be. They might even be able to earn rewards as a class, and they can vote on whether they would rather have ice cream or a movie as their prize. These simple things can keep kids much more engaged in their lessons.
#22 My University Library, Ladies And Gentlemen
Image credits: HiDDENk00l
#23 This Cat Bus Is For Transporting Japanese Preschoolers
Image credits: BaronVonBroccoli
#24 Look At How This Third-Grade Teacher Decorated Her Door And Hallway
Image credits: The Classroom Key
And of course, having an interesting learning environment can make students much more interested in what’s going on at school. Whether it’s a beautifully designed library, funny meme references on hall passes or places to lock up their skateboards during the school day, the more comfortable students feel at school, the more excited they will be to go there. And we all want students to enjoy their education; it’s not meant to be torturous!
#25 The Hallways Of My Norwegian High School
Image credits: Simple-joe
#26 My School’s Bathrooms Have Pedals Instead Of Handles
Image credits: allygator314
#27 I Thought You Guys Would Appreciate This. This Is My School Library
Image credits: seedlessthesis
Are these photos making you jealous of the students who get to attend schools with all of these wonderful tools at their disposal, pandas? I have to admit that I would have been thrilled to go to some of these schools or universities, but I’m still very grateful for the education I was able to get. Keep upvoting the pics you find particularly fascinating, and let us know in the comments below what the best thing your school had to offer was. Then, if you’d like to check out a similar list from Bored Panda, look no further than right here!
#28 My University Makes Notepads Out Of Recycled Paper And Hands Them Out To The Students
Image credits: UrBrotherJoe
#29 A Classroom In My University Has A Tree Growing Inside Of It
Image credits: Everdale
#30 This Tiny Door For 1st Graders At The School My Mom Teaches At
Image credits: TideSinger
#31 I Have A Gender-Neutral Bathroom At My High School
Image credits: McquacK__
#32 I Learned Today That My School’s New Science And Technology Building Has Thermochromic Tables
Image credits: b_mco
#33 The Stair Handrails In My Uni's Biology Building Are Held Up By Little Snails
Image credits: taco_saladmaker
#34 This Uni Puts Up Games Its Graduates Worked On
Image credits: virus-Detected
#35 My Professor Uses A Wooden Keyboard And Mouse
Image credits: TheOfficialNoire
#36 This Middle School Has A Skateboard Locker
Image credits: pjfrank
#37 My Uni Has Solar-Paneled Benches With USB Charging
Image credits: Myd00m
#38 University Printer Rotates Each Separate Document To Avoid Confusing Multiple Students' Work
Image credits: p50cal
#39 In My School, You Can Come Here To Sleep If You’re Tired
Image credits: Elephanttortise
#40 These Bollards Outside A School Are Shaped Like Pencils
Image credits: arn04gb
#41 Transylvania University At Halloween
Image credits: md_reddit
#42 This Little Door At My University
Image credits: MotorBicycle
#43 An Ancient Roman Well Is Visible Under The Floor Of My School In Italy
Image credits: Silopante
#44 This "Chemist Tree" That My School’s Science Department Made
Image credits: ajamacicarus
#45 A Law Professor Shared A Photo Of The Pens Her Students Used For Cheating, Calling The Trick An Art Form Of Sorts
Image credits: procesaleando
#46 This Sign At My University Has The Number For The Library Police
Image credits: Flattermedal
#47 This Painting In My School Library Is Painted On The Wall Itself, But It Is Still Framed
Image credits: 24GamingYT
#48 Food Is Allowed In The Library At My College
Image credits: paradoxinfinity
#49 This Twinkie Has Been In My Classroom For 10 Years
Image credits: cheezeypeas
#50 My School Has A Set Of Tools And A Pump To Let You Repair And Maintain Your Bike In Front Of The Entrance
Image credits: reiner_09
#51 I Work At A School, And They’re Starting To Put These In! I’m The First To Use This One. One Step Closer
Image credits: only_bc_4chan_isdown
#52 My School Just Installed A CVS Vending Machine Full Of Medicine And Hygiene Products
Image credits: CommandLionInterface
#53 The Woodworking Program At My School Sent Home 140 Remote-Learning Kits This Week, With Power Drills too
Image credits: bigsauce17
#54 My School Uses Purple Carpet To Indicate The Classroom Doors That Swing Out
Image credits: EricByDefinition
#55 There Is A Piece Of The Berlin Wall On My School's Campus
Image credits: IndyaBendya
#56 My Local Community College Has Collapsible Monitors That Can Automatically Go Down So You Can Have More Desk Space
Image credits: vapenewell
#57 The Health Class In Our High School Has A Moldy Bread Display On The Wall To Show How We Should Wash Our Hands And Phones
Image credits: ChartFrogs
#58 Columns At A School Are Pencils
Image credits: keliix06
#59 This Scoreboard At A High School In Mississippi Says "Us" And "Y'all" Instead Of "Home" And "Guest"
Image credits: Twizzyu
#60 The College Has These Signs On The Cafeteria Tables. They Flip To Red If You Don't Want Strangers Sitting At Your Table
Image credits: alghost9
#61 My Anatomy Teacher’s Bathroom Pass Is A Human Leg Bone
Image credits: LuciusWasTaken
#62 This Actual Periodic Table My University Has
Image credits: egrith
#63 This Doorknob For A Maintenance Closet At My School Has Knurling On It To Prevent Slipping When Workers Have Gloves On
Image credits: kozman7
#64 Robots At Oregon State University Deliver Food And Drink To Students On Campus
Image credits: gecko324
#65 My School 3D Printed A Tiny "Out Of Order" Sign For The Printer
Image credits: Tater_Hater2
#66 My Science Teacher's Clock
Image credits: eoghan_perra
#67 So My School Uses These Instead Of Chairs Now In A Couple Of Classes
Image credits: motlaghreyhan
#68 My Mom’s High School Gave Graduates Wallet-Sized Copies Of Their Diplomas
Image credits: reddit.com
#69 My School Has Racks In The Front Office For Kids To Put Their Skateboards On During The Day
Image credits: Boopnoobdope
#70 My Son’s School Is Teaching Metaphor Via Tupac's Poetry
Image credits: imalwayshongry
#71 Students At My Town's College Rub This Statue's Nose When They Pass By, Going To Exams, For Good Luck
Image credits: dublinp
#72 Therapy Dog At My School Has Socks So His Nails Don't Make Noise On The Floor
Image credits: knightTime17
#73 Some Of The Trees At My College Have Outlets On Them
Image credits: sematico
#74 This Vending Machine At My School With Basically Everything For Every Occasion
Image credits: MatthewvdV
#75 University Of Uppsala's Anatomical Theatre Where Bodies Were Dissected In Front Of An Audience (Built In 1663, Sweden)
Image credits: kaaattttt
#76 My School Museum Has A Bob Ross Painting
Image credits: dootdoot1997
#77 My Biology Teachers' Wall Of Key Chains
Image credits: TempestheDragon
#78 I Go To School In Ottawa And We Write Our Exams In A Hockey Rink
Image credits: homicidal_penguin
#79 The Kid Beside Me In Class Has A Keyboard Made Of Light
Image credits: Hey444
#80 My School Used To Be A Bank, So My Class Has A Vault In It
Image credits: Brennanthenerd
#81 This Artwork On A Rainwater Tank At My Daughter's School Uses The Seam In The Middle As Part Of The Art, With A Convincing Effect
Image credits: salesberg
#82 University Of Tennessee’s First Corpse Flower Bloomed! The First Bloom Happens 7-10 Years After Planting. It’s Called A Corpse Flower Because Of The Smell
Image credits: nursbear
#83 My Robotics Teacher Has A 1948 Olympic Torch
Image credits: mCheezee
#84 Found A Pac-Man-Themed Desk In My German Class Today
Image credits: willp23
#85 New Hall Passes At A High School
Image credits: NordyNed
#86 My School's Bathroom Has A New "Wash Your Hands" Sign
Image credits: ImAPlebe
#87 My Professor Has Paper Clips In The Shape Of Clothes Hangers
Image credits: K4k4shi
#88 University Library Has Puzzle That Everyone Can Take Part In
Image credits: name_ezy_2_4got
#89 Our School’s Magazine Publication Intentionally Placed A Physical Hole In Its Latest Issue
Image credits: Outplayed66
#90 Waterfalls In My Uni Building When It Rains
Image credits: ThatManMelvin
#91 My Art Teacher Has Sealing Tiles That Were Painted By Students In Her Classroom
Image credits: ArThUr_AyReAuLt
#92 In My Design Tech Class, The Stop Buttons For The Machines Are Far Larger Than The Start Button For Safety, Allowing You To Hit The Stop Button With Your Leg In Case Of Emergency
Image credits: Raito103
#93 This Pencil Vending Machine At The Local Middle School
Image credits: wyn13
#94 The University Gym Girls' Bathroom Has Not Only Free Condoms But Also Free Lube
Image credits: DES8111
#95 My School Has A Real Hippopotamus Skull
Image credits: HecticSpaghet
#96 This Poster At My School Is Something Else
Image credits: The-Flickster
#97 My School Put Up Pride Flags For Pride Month
Image credits: Sbstn__12
#98 The June And July Stamps On This Date Have No Ink On Them Because They're Used In A Public School
Image credits: ToddlerOlympian
#99 Concrete, WA High School Is Built Over The Roadway That Leads To It
Image credits: Black_Magic_M-66
#100 The Countertops In This Bathroom At My University Are Made Out Of Metal Millings Encased In Resin
Image credits: holycornflake
#101 My School Put Up Whiteboards To Stop Vandalism In The Toilet Rooms
Image credits: realtgis
#102 This Spot In My High School Where People Pivot On The Stairs
Image credits: metiusbabie
#103 My School Brought In A Distracted Driving Simulator To Keep Kids Off Their Phones While Driving
Image credits: andromedat
#104 The Pool At My University Is On The Second Floor
Image credits: wildstubbs
#105 My University Library's Christmas Tree Is Made Of Books
Image credits: MGThanatos
#106 The Bathroom Tile In This School's Science Building Is Decorated With The Periodic Table Of Elements
Image credits: dmahr
#107 This High School Still Had A Backstreet Boys "Got Milk?" Ad In 2022
Image credits: MrbBoxMan
#108 My School Has A Sculpture Of The Piranha Plant From Mario
Image credits: Rookie556
#109 This High School Nearby Keeps Narcan Next To The AED Devices
Image credits: UncleFuzzySlippers
#110 I’m Proud Of My Classroom
Image credits: lad1993
#111 Our School Still Uses The Power Macintosh G3
Image credits: insert1337
#112 Students Lean On The Wall During Lectures (The Ghost Classroom)
Image credits: Allgen
#113 My School Stores Laptops In A Pile On The Floor
Image credits: SuperHipGrandma
#114 My School Issues IDS With Hidden USB Drives In Them
Image credits: winden88
#115 Vape Sensor Notice For High School Bathrooms
Image credits: URappinAwful
#116 A Bear Trap At A Primary School
Image credits: MrStiesri
#117 Just Saw This In A Classroom At Our Local Elementary School
Image credits: soltrigger
#118 Clock In My School's Chemistry Lab
Image credits: Theweirdposidenchild
#119 My School Sells “Hydrogen Infused Water”
Image credits: 1Teddy2Bear3Gaming
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