Single Survival: a unique approach to the basics of adulting

By Reagan Rozzi

All students are required to pass a Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) in order to graduate high school, but the most difficult decision is selecting which specific course to take. PFL classes are designed to prepare students to take their next steps after high school. Five course options that vary in core subjects are available, one of which is Single Survival. The course has been around for years; however, the school has recently hired Mr. Kristian Stitt for the position. Stitt’s approach: forming an already-essential curriculum into a unique and worthwhile class.

Photo of Kristian Stitt provided by Owasso Public Schools

An average day in Single Survival begins with a social first five minutes. Classmates are given time to catch-up and check-in, always concluding their conversations by relaying their daily affirmations, “You are loved. You have a purpose. You matter.” During the last five minutes of the hour, the students socialize once again and end the class with the same affirmations. These words are not a requirement in the curriculum, although Stitt personally feels that these reminders are a crucial part of every day. 

“Knowing that you have a purpose and a meaning in life…every single person that steps into my classroom needs to hear that,” Stitt explained. 

Stitt bases his course heavily on self-discovery and self-confidence, especially in their current unit, “Finding a Purpose.” He even noted he has already begun to see some growth in his students. One in particular, senior Eli Williams, also expressed the growth that he has seen in himself. 

“One thing I’ve enjoyed is challenging myself with public speaking,” Williams shared, “...to my surprise, I loved it and got over the fear I had.”

While the course focuses on necessary real-world skills that are needed to thrive as an individual, such as the ability to speak unaccompanied in front of large groups, another fundamental portion of the course relies heavily on collaboration. Every Friday is a “Family Friday,” where Stitt asks his students to keep their phones on his desk and designate the hour to play board games with each other, as a family would. His hope is that the students are able to make genuine emotional connections, ones that cannot be formed through a screen. 

Forming close-knit relationships with classmates can be–and already has been–beneficial to students. Considering that the course is designated to aid in planning a future after high school, these ties may be of great use in terms of possible career relations. 

When asked if they would recommend this class to any junior or senior, both Williams and Stitt replied with a resounding “yes.”

“I wish I would have had something like this,” Stitt stated. 

While in high school, Stitt was enrolled in a Family and Consumer Sciences class, but he specifically feels that this course, targeted toward upperclassmen, is even more valuable because of its realistic lessons.

Williams also mentioned his appreciation for Single Survival by conveying how Stitt is “insanely nice” and complementing the “healthy classroom environment.”

Stitt works diligently to keep his students continuously thriving. While the class teaches students methods of living on their own, Stitt also encourages camaraderie and group-oriented activities. Forming personal bonds with others is one of the major steps during this childhood transition to adulthood. Single Survival is only a class option for juniors and seniors at this time, but Stitt’s course is worth the wait for any underclassmen.