An Unschooler’s Future

Everyone at some point of their learning journey gets anxious over what the future may hold, and unschoolers are no exception. As the world becomes even more competitive and disruptive, with new technologies like AI redefining work and productivity, the lack of job security unschooling provides- despite the freedom and flexibility it offers-  is a valid fear for students to have.  

It may then be of some comfort to remind ourselves that, even with the changes in the work environment we see around us, unschoolers have been able find a place in the world and do what they love as a fully fledged profession.  Today, we feature such 2 unschoolers who have walked this path, and ask them questions on their work, life skills, social life, and general thoughts on their unschooling experience.  

Let’s welcome our guests, Niom and Sukun!  

Sukun wearing one her many hand painted sarees!

Hello, I’m Sukun.   

I’m 21 years old, and my life has been anything but ordinary. I left school when I was in the 2nd grade, and instead of following the traditional path, I chose unschooling—a journey of learning through curiosity, creativity, and real-life experiences.   Art has always been my language. Right now, I run KALAREE, a fashion brand where we hand-paint cotton sarees, turning them into unique pieces of wearable art. Before this, I had my own online art studio, where I created over 300 custom paintings, sketches, and illustrations for people all over. 

But my world isn’t just about art. I love exploring—whether it’s fashion, singing, dancing, or hosting my podcast. I also enjoy volunteering at events, meeting new people, and soaking in different experiences.  I was born in Indore, but Goa has been my home for the last 10 years. The freedom, the sea, and the creative energy here have shaped me in so many ways.  Most of all, I love being an unschooler. It’s given me the space to grow, experiment, and become the person I am today. I don’t think I’d have this courage, this curiosity, or this deep love for learning if I had stayed in a traditional system. Life is my classroom, and I’m here to explore every bit of it. 

Niom by the beach!

Niom (They/Them) is a 25 year-old Unschooler and Swaraj Khoji who has been working with and teaching through ‘play’ for the past 6 years. Niom has worked with schools and organisations like The Atelier, Anubhutee Learning Center, Swacardz, Prem-a-Culture, Project Ishq, Sahara Aalhad, Deep Griha and was co-founder of Let’sPlay! Niom’s exploration of play has brought them to a place of continually falling in love with life.

Niom wishes to share this gift with the world and is integrating it into their work by bringing people together to experience it, in different ways, as a community. 

A key benefit of unschooling is the freedom it offers to students in pursuit of what they truly enjoy. Let's see some of real examples with our guests and their endeavours!

Did your homeschooling experience influence your career choice or the way you approach your work? If so, how?   

Sukun:  I'm not sure if it has influenced but unschooling surely gave me enough time to actually try and then choose it as my career, I have been interested in arts since I was a child so for me it was wonderful to have so much time to try each and every part of it, the only challenge is lack of discipline and I like to work in my own way, and I definitely get distracted really fast, but my journey has turned me into a doer instead of just thinking and I am not afraid to fail.  

Niom, at work!

Niom: Yes. I work in education because of the opportunity I got to educate myself. I have had the freedom to choose and make my own decisions. And I am passionate about sharing this gift with others. 

Aside from the challenge of a career, a common fear unschoolers may have is with demands and challenges of everyday life in a new environment. So, how did our unschoolers fare at building life skills?

What life skills did you gain or miss out on through homeschooling that you find useful or challenging now as an adult?  

One of Sukun's hand-painted fabrics

Sukun: The most valuable skill I’ve gained is understanding my emotions and putting them into words. Along with that, I’ve learned to make friends easily and connect with people of all ages. I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything by not going to school—instead, I’ve gained freedom, self-awareness, and the ability to learn in my own way. My journey has taught me more about life than a classroom ever could, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. School isn’t the only path to growth, and I’m happy with where mine has taken me.  

Niom: Being able to socialise with all age groups from toddlers to the elderly is a very useful skill I have been able to use to get to know people beyond the superficial. 

A student may be well prepared to start working or even a business, but going out into the world with a dream can seem like a big leap forward.  What exactly is that like?

Our unschooler experts tell us more. 

What was the transition like - if there was one - from being homeschooled to going out into the world?

Sukun: No, I didn’t really have any big transitions. The only time was when I decided to take the 10th-grade exam—just to experience what exams were like. And honestly? It was the worst. Spending a whole year learning just to pass a test felt pointless. I’d never want to study that way again, always worrying about exams instead of actually enjoying what I'm learning. That experience just confirmed for me that traditional schooling isn’t my path.

Niom: During teenage years it was very difficult, because I had no idea how cruel other kids could be. It’s been a lot easier as I’ve entered adulthood, because I’ve decided to carefully choose whom I surround myself with.   

And finally, speaking from the heart, let’s hear more about unschooling as an experience.

Looking back, what do you feel of your home schooling experience, and what would you change if you could relive those years?

Sukun: Looking back at my journey, I realize I've done so much and met so many incredible people. Every experience - big or small - has taught me something and shaped who I am today. My life has been full of different flavors - sweet, bitter, sour - but I cherish them all equally. There's nothing I would change, because each moment made my story richer. I wouldn't trade this life for anything. I'm especially grateful to my parents for choosing this path for me. Their decision gave me the freedom to grow in my own way, and for that, I'll always be thankful.  

Niom: I certainly longed for a group of peers to experiment and explore with and I am still in perpetual search for such groups. Though I have many regrets, I feel that is a part of life. And I have no regrets that I am unable to live with :) 

Much has been said by our guests, and hopefully their stories can be of some inspiration to all of us, homeschoolers or otherwise.  These are just 2 out of multiple such students pursuing all sorts of projects across various fields of interest. But, If there is one thing that remains common among all unschoolers, it is the ability and the will to chart their own path for their future. 

Written by Adhitya Sivaraman 

Good day! My name is Adhitya Sivaraman. I am now 19 years old and have finished my studies from an online school. I am currently serving my 2 years of National Service in Singapore. When I'm not out running or marching, I enjoy reading non-fiction, writing argumentative pieces, and keeping myself up to date on current affairs.