With the 2024 school year approaching its end, many seniors find themselves wondering what will come after High School. Most students spend 13 years in school, preparing to become adults and pursue their goals, dreams, and jobs. While some students can find themselves jumping right into the next phase of life, more students don’t know what steps to take after normal school ends. Although the path forward may seem difficult and uneasy, there are a lot of things that people can do after graduating.
For many students, college is a major point of interest after finishing High School. Despite being a logical step forward, students may need to figure out what exactly to look for when it comes to college. The right college can be found by looking at 3 main focal points. The first revolves around interest, a question everyone should ask is “Does this place have what I want” whether it’s for their Majors or extra Academic Programs. The next and probably most important part is tuition cost, many students may not have a lot of money or a job in general, and depending on how parents will add additional help, it’s incredibly valuable to know how much it will cost for every semester spent in college, especially with the many different ways of approaching it, Which leads into Tuition Cost. Depending on the major, the amount of time spent in college will be reflected in the tuition bill. There are many different ways of payment, such as the Free Application Federal Student Aid,( FAFSA), Student Loans, or other more upfront payments. These are the most important things to look for when searching for further education after High School.
While some hope to go further deeper into their education, others are more focused on getting a job and making money. There are always places hiring and with a high school diploma The door to many job opportunities widens further. With a diploma, someone can find many more and better job opportunities compared to someone without a diploma.
A great example is first responder jobs, firefighters and police don’t require more than a high school diploma and the required literacy, drug, physical, and psychological exams. Of course, not everyone is going to be applying for first responder jobs, so some other well-paying jobs include Real Estate Agents, Medical Assistants, Security Guards, Opticians, and many others. Although further education could lead to greater monetary success, for many a diploma is all that is needed to get a life-sustaining job or enough experience to enter another work field.
Another benefit of working right away is mixing it into the college lifestyle. With classes in college differing from the usual hours, there is more time to focus on saving money. For those who don’t want to pick one or the other, this is a perfect third choice as blending part-time work and college could also help with paying the tuition or necessities such as food or clothes, without having to dedicate too much time to one or the other.
Although work and further education are the two biggest branches after high there is still more than that. One of the main roles of High School is to give students more opportunities to discover what they want to pursue in their futures and what other passions they may have however many students can leave without fully knowing what they want to do. The most important thing for individuals is to find what their passions are, and as newfound adults, there is now more that can be done to explore these passions. Instead of committing to something that would consume most of their time, it’s the perfect period to begin self-discovery.
Exploring passions, whether they revolve around music, art, cooking, sports, or any other interest, is a crucial piece of self-discovery. This process of self-discovery helps with personal growth and shaping a more purposeful and fulfilling life. By investing time in exploring these passions, people are more likely to continue expanding upon them. For example, someone passionate about cooking might eventually become a great cook, then choose to become a better chef and open a restaurant for hundreds of people to visit. Transforming a passion into a career allows for financial sustainability and fulfillment in their lives.
Passions often fuel creativity and innovation. Exploring passions can lead to contributions to society that benefit people, whether through entertainment or advancements in a specific field.
As the 2024 school year draws to a close, a new chapter awaits for graduating seniors. The paths after high school are diverse, yet, beyond them, there lies the realm of self-discovery. High school serves as the foundation, but adulthood offers a broader canvas for exploring passions. Whether it’s through education, employment, or self-discovery, the key is to embrace the journey ahead and enjoy life’s opportunities to their fullest in whichever ways anyone can.
