Deciding your future is important as a high school student, but it is also very difficult. Many students find it difficult to decide their path in life after high school. Each person’s path is unique. Some know exactly what they want to do since they were a child, while others are deciding between multiple paths they want to follow. Some are still struggling to find their calling in life.
According to a study by Higher Ed Dive, about 3.8 million Americans graduate from high school each year. Exploring several perspectives is important to learn how to go about deciding your future as a high school student.
Ella Monday, a freshman at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and CFHS alumna (2025), is majoring in elementary education. Her future path is to become an educator.
“My mom has inspired me to want to be a teacher because when I was younger, she ran a daycare and I was always around the kids and that’s where I found my inspiration. Now she’s a school counselor at Aynor Elementary. I look up to her more than anyone and hope one day to be just like her.”
Senior Luis Diaz is choosing to attend college at the University of South Carolina. He spoke about how he is feeling about his future after high school.
“I decided to go to the University of South Carolina because of the beautiful, enormous campus and the top academics in the state. I am not nervous about my future because I feel like I am ready for the next chapter of my life, and I’m ready to go off to university.”
When deciding your future after high school, the main question for students is usually am I going to college or not? After that comes a million different questions that can be overwhelming for students. Graduating high school is a massive transition in life, and it is important that students make the best decision possible for their future.
Considering the statistical side of life after high school, in 2023, 61.4% of recent high school graduates enrolled in college in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Even though the majority of students attend college after high school, that doesn’t mean that this is the right choice for every student. Despite lots of peer pressure involving students going to college, many choose not to attend college and pursue their goals in life a different way.
Steve Jobs, the creator of the iPhone, once spoke about him dropping out of college.
“It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Another option to consider for students would be to study overseas. Data by the Institute of International Education (IIE) found that more than 400,000 U.S. students engaged in global educational experiences in 2022/23. This could be a new experience for students as well as a viable option for their future plans.
Frau Leonard, who teaches German I, shared her story about studying overseas in Germany.
“I decided to study abroad because I wanted to try something new before college. Even though I barely spoke German, I lived with a host family and fully immersed myself in their culture. After three months, I forgot all but forgotten English and even started dreaming in German! Studying abroad is an awesome opportunity because it lets you really get to know different cultures and see the world from a new perspective. Being able to speak another language not only feels cool but also makes you stand out when applying to colleges or jobs.”
With many options for kids to explore their future it is important to choose a path that satisfies you, something that keeps you true to yourself. Never have regrets on the path you chose and keep your doors open; you never know what opportunities life will throw at you!
