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For example the electron configuration for oxygen is 1s2 2s2 2p4. But if an element can never have an element in the p orbital unless it has 2 full s orbitals*, then why can't we write 2p4 as the electron configuration for oxygen? Is it not implied that it has 1s2 2s2? I would think so because the noble gas configuration works on a similar principle.
*My teacher told me this.
The configuration you describe is the ground state configuration, the configuration of oxygen in which all electrons are in their lowest allowed energy states.
Substances can also be their excited states, where electrons are not in the lowest allowed energy states. Excited states happen when atoms or molecules absorb energy, usually electromagnetic radiation (but not always).
An excited state for oxygen may involve one of the $2s$ electrons being promoted to one of the remaining $2p$ spots:
$$\begin{aligned} \ce{O} + E &\ce{-> O}^* \\ 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4 &\ce{-> }1s^2 2s^1 2p^5 \end{aligned}$$
This configuration still describes an oxygen atom, but now the $2s$ subshell is partially empty.
The other reason you can't always assume that the lower subshells are always filled is that there are some exceptions to the aufbau principle. Some elements do not follow it, especially the lanthanides and actinides.
