Life after high school can be very daunting. Leaving the place we have known for four years can be one of the most difficult experiences in our entire lives. We are used to the same schedule every day, five days a week, from 8 to 3.
This transition is going to be drastic—are we really ready for it? As a senior looking back to my junior year, I was nowhere near ready for college and the application process. Guidance counselor Holly Marshall emphasizes the importance of doing what’s best for you and to start figuring that out early.
“It’s important for students to know all of the opportunities that are available to them after graduation,” Marshall said. “Whether that be college or taking a gap year after high school to work a little bit and really explore your passions and your interests. There are a million different options and different paths that students can take. And it’s very important that students start researching and finding out their interests early on so that they know what is expected of them throughout their high school career to better plan their post-graduation career.”
This transition is going to be drastic—are we really ready for it? As a senior looking back to my junior year, I was nowhere near ready for college and the application process. Guidance counselor Holly Marshall emphasizes the importance of doing what’s best for you and to start figuring that out early.
“It’s important for students to know all of the opportunities that are available to them after graduation,” Marshall said. “Whether that be college or taking a gap year after high school to work a little bit and really explore your passions and your interests. There are a million different options and different paths that students can take. And it’s very important that students start researching and finding out their interests early on so that they know what is expected of them throughout their high school career to better plan their post-graduation career.”
10 Steps to Survive Life After High School:
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We cannot wait until the last minute or let our parents decide for us. Whether it be continuing our education in college or trade school, or even taking a year off of learning, it is OUR decision. So let’s discuss how to make this choice.
Some may love school and learning the ropes behind a new subject. So they could decide if they want to gain a higher level of education in a specialized field at a college or university of their choice. Others may work better in a place where most activities are hands-on. They can go to trade school to see which path is best for them. |
Now if you don’t fall into either of those categories, there is no need to panic. School isn’t for everyone, and some students may need a break to truly find who they are. When attending school from kindergarten to twelfth grade, kids may not be able to discover who they are capable of becoming.
For some odd reason, our society has placed a stigma around the idea of taking a gap year. A gap year is basically a time where a student can take a break from school. They could travel, find a job, or even take up a new hobby. Sometimes all we need is a break — a time where we can collect ourselves before sprinting toward an even more difficult level of learning.
It can be a long and grueling process when students try to figure out what to do after high school. There are four steps of developing a decision according to the article “Decision Making for After High School.” The steps include a fantasy stage, a tentative stage, a realistic stage and an implementation stage.
During the fantasy stage, students ideally brainstorm ideas of what they would possibly like to do for the rest of their lives. They often do this without any realistic framework; in other words, there are no boundaries. They get the chance to think of tasks to accomplish without considering all of the factors. Next is the tentative stage. In simple terms, this stage is when they think about themselves and what exactly they are interested in doing later on in life. They also get the chance to consider what they are capable of and what they specifically value in the process of coming to a final decision. |
The third stage is called the realistic stage. This is when they study the actual different outcomes that can result from each possible path. During this time, the large ocean full of choices dwindles down to a tiny swimming pool. At the end of this stage, the students come to the conclusion of which direction they plan on following.
The last stage is the implementation stage. This is where students get to act upon their decisions. They begin to commit to schools, declare majors, attend orientation, schedule class and so much more. Their lives finally begin. So fellow students, it is never too early to start and make sure that you choose the path that has a special place in your heart.