You’ve gotta hand it to them. These kids have opinions, plans, and a startling level of certainty about the way the world works. From career ambitions to deep philosophical positions about learning itself, they have a lot to say—and when I asked, they weren’t shy about saying it. I sat down with them in a roundtable format to talk about school, the future, and important topics like the best lunch options and the existential crisis of whether to use the hallway or the library for our group photograph. You may have thought second graders spend their days on frivolity, not so. This crew was equal parts insightful, deeply contemplative, and stone-cold hilarious.

The Dreams and the Plans

Second grade is a time when dreams start taking shape, and the students of Mount Olive already have big plans for the future. Some are drawn to careers that help others, some want to entertain, and some are already thinking about how to build and create. When asked about their dream jobs, they had no hesitation in sharing:

“I want to be a scientist.”

“A gymnastics teacher.”

“A YouTube channeler.” (We assume this is like a YouTuber, but with a little extra mystery.)

“A police officer.”

“A firefighter.”

“In the Army.”

“A nail stylist.”

One student even promised that if they opened a nail salon, our interviewer could get a free manicure—though a pedicure was firmly off the table.

'We're doing three-digit addition and subtraction,' one student proudly announced, while another clarified, 'Pretty sure we all are.' Math, as it turns out, is not just a subject—it’s a life skill they’re already preparing to use in their future careers. When asked why math is important, they didn’t hesitate to break it down: Second graders don’t mess around, the answers were surprisingly insightful:

“Because if you grow up to be a constructor, you have to, like, measure stuff the right way.”

“Because some jobs need you to know math.”

“Because when you grow up, you need to buy stuff and you have to know how to count money.”

“Because if you work as a cashier, you have to give the correct change. And I don’t mean maybe.”

We couldn’t argue with that logic.

The Deep Philosophical Questions

At one point, we posed a tricky question: If we keep learning more and more, does that mean there’s more left to learn, or less?

Without hesitation, one student answered, “More.” The rest of the class agreed.

And they’re absolutely right. Every discovery leads to more questions, and second graders understand this better than most adults.

The Food Review: What’s for Lunch?

Lunch opinions were strong. When asked about their favorite school meals, the responses were immediate:

“Hot dogs.”

“Pizza.”

“Little Italy’s pizza.” (One student clarified that the locally made pizza was the only acceptable option.)

“Chicken patty on a bun.”

“Chicken strips.”

The debate over condiments was just as passionate. “Ketchup, yes. Ranch? No.” The judgment was firm.

Advice to Our Younger Selves

We asked these wise second graders what advice they would give their younger selves back in kindergarten. The responses were equal parts practical and profound:

“I would tell them what second grade is like so they can be prepared.”

“I would tell them to always focus.”

“If I got hurt, I’d tell my younger self not to do what I did.”

And the most unexpected takeaway? “You gotta be ready for the Christmas concert.” Good advice for all of us, really.

A Grade Full of Thinkers, Dreamers, and Doers

Second grade is a magical time when students begin to see the world in bigger ways. They are learning multiplication, asking deep questions, and thinking about their futures—all while having serious opinions about school lunch and the importance of wobble stools.

One thing is certain: the future is in good hands with these young minds leading the way. And if you ever need your nails done, a house built, or a scientific breakthrough, just check back in with them in about 15 years.