Growing Up After High School

Growing up you are told high school will be the best four years of your life, but for some that is not the case. Fortunately for those who do not wish to attend all four years there is a way to graduate early. This is a lengthy but rewarding process that involves determination and hard work. This option hasn’t always been available, but since it has been there are many students taking advantage of it. Some individuals decide to take on this challenge in sophomore or junior year, but in this case it will begin freshman year.

This process begins when the student meets with his/her guidance counselor. The counselor will pull up all of the students credits and progress towards their diploma. They may also make a basic plan for the two following years. This is the time where the student can ask questions, discuss online classes, and/or change their schedule depending on the circumstances. After this talk, the student will have a good idea of their plan for the current and following years. In order to shorten the school day, an online class can be added along with or in place of their regular classes. These include one math, one english, government, reading, one science, and/or two electives. Throughout the year the student should maintain a GPA of at least 2.0

because that is the requirement to graduate. Good grades are essential because if a class must be made up it will slow the process.
Once the first year is complete, the student will check back in with their guidance counselor. This will update them on their progress towards graduation. During this, they will pick classes for their second year of high school. These classes should include one english, one math, one science, world history, year one of foreign language, and two electives. If wanted, an online class can be taken in place of in school classes. This year is very important due to keeping grades high, preparing for the SAT the following year, and planning for the final year of high school. Around this time is when the individual should be forming good study habits. This will help perform much better in current classes, later on in “senior” year, and college if that is their intended path after graduation. If help is needed, the student may ask their guidance counselor for assistance in finding a tutor.
In the final year, the student has almost completed all of their credits. This would be a good time to check back in with the guidance counselor and make sure everything is going as it should. If everything is going well then the classes picked this year should consist of one math, U.S. history, economics, year two of foreign language, one elective, and two english classes. The double english is required unless student chooses to take course online. If the choice is to take it in school, the individual has the option to keep the classes separated by a few class periods. Towards the middle of this year, the student will take their SAT. This test should be taken seriously as the score will help with placement for college courses. Around this time of year order forms for cap and gowns will be available. In order to walk, a cap and gown must be purchased in the correct time frame. After this, the student can decide if they are ready to start applying to college for the semester following graduation. If ready, the individual can pick which colleges to apply to and also fill out a financial aid application if needed.
In the final semester, the school starts to get this year’s class ready for graduation. There will be events such as “grad-bash”, senior water day, a final pep rally, prom and more depending on the school. These events are optional for the student, but are planned to be very fun. This is also a time where the individual may begin receiving responses from the colleges they have applied to. A few weeks before exams, cap and gowns should be collected from the office. The student should make certain the gown fits in case it must be exchanged before graduation. Shortly after, exams must be completed to officially complete the year unless they have been exempt. These exams can be exempted if the student obtains no more than five absences in the last semester. If exams end up being required, they will be taken on the last few days of school. Depending on how many have to be done, this could take one to three days. The exam process for seniors is normally done two weeks prior to the rest of the schools last week. This extra time will allow the students to prepare for the big day awaiting them.
Once the student is out of school, they must start preparing for graduation.

The school will inform parents and students of the dress code required of them for the event. After, they will schedule a date for graduation rehearsal that the student is required to attend if they want to walk. This day will give the individual an idea of where they will sit and how the process of graduation will go. This also gives them a chance to ask any questions or share any concerns they may have. Depending on the school, there may or may not be a baccalaureate ceremony. At this event, students can talk with their class, watch a slideshow full of pictures sent in, hear final words from teachers and staff, and much

more.
Finally, the day of graduation comes. This day will consist of many mixed emotions throughout the process of getting ready with all of the student’s family there to watch. Once it is time to leave, the student and whoever is coming with will make their way to where the event is located. On arrival the student will separate from family to go stand in assigned spot in line according to their seat. Once the ceremony begins, music will play and the class will walk out and take their seats. The principal, valedictorian salutatorian, and other staff will each present a speech. Following this, all names in the class will be called in the order of honor graduates then regular graduates. Then the individual will walk the stage and gladly accept his/her diploma and follow through back to original seat. Once everyone has received their diploma, the class will be instructed to “turn their tassels” and finally be pronounced high school graduates. When the ceremony has come to an end, the staff will dismiss graduates and then the audience.
At last, the student has accomplished graduating high school a year early. Whether they go home and hang up the plaque, or store it away for years, they have completed something that not everyone can say they have done. This is a once in a life time thing that deserves celebration for all of the dedication and hard work put in by the student. In many families, there is a graduation party thrown for the student to receive gifts and/or money for future college classes. This is an accomplishment in life that will never be forgotten.