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One of my old friends from university, while trying to finish her PhD in America, once moaned in a letter to me that it was so stressful that she wanted to die. But what prevented her from that unthinkable act was the thought that if she were to be born again she would have to start from Prathom 1 and go through all that homework once more. She finally graduated.

University life for all students consists of all kinds of experiences, both good and bad. And so comes the expression "school or university of life" - all the good and bad experiences you have in your life.

I have come this far because the school of life has taught me well.

Then we have the adjective "old-school", which describes ideas or traditions that are old-fashioned.

I did not know before that your boss was old-school.

And with all these words about school, we have "school of hard knocks". When somebody learns something in the school of hard knocks, they learn it as a result of difficult or unpleasant experiences.

It was the school of hard knocks we went through in the last two years, but it also made us more prepared for any difficult time to come.

The word "school" is also used as a collective noun when referring to a large number of sea animals or fish swimming in a group.

As we were surfing, a school of dolphins was swimming nearby.

 

We can also use it to refer to a group of poets, writers or painters whose style is similar to that of a particular reader.

I like the poems of the Romantic school; something like Endymion by Keats.

 

There is also the "school of thought", which is a set of ideas or opinions shared among a group of people.

We learned many schools of thought about HR management but I am not impressed with any.

 

Not only does "school" function in a sentence as a noun, but also a verb meaning "to train" animal or a person to do something or "to teach" a child.

It is never a bad idea to school small children in proper manners; teach them young.

Complete the sentences using the expressions explained:

1. You can see that this painter possesses the style of the Renaissance … .

2. The training won't be easy and they all have to learn in the … .

3. I wonder how long it took to … that tiger to perform.

4. Look at that … of clown fish, which one is Nemo?

5. Whenever Mary looked back to her … she felt so grateful to her parents.

6. The tribesmen told us their …  about the creation of mankind and it was interesting.

7. Your idea of not sending our daughter for overseas education is very ….

Answers: 1. school, 2. school of hard knocks, 3. school, 4. school, 5. school of life, 6. school of thought, 7. old-school

By Parnsap Yomanage