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Is graduating early a good idea?

I go to a public virtual school where I have the ability to work ahead and graduate early. I've asked many teachers and friends if graduating early is a good idea and I've gotten many mixed responses. Are there any cons to graduating early that could outweigh the pros? #college #education #graduation #graduating-early

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Ken’s Answer

The most important thing that you can do during high school is to develop a clear career focus and take all of the courses that you need for college career course prerequisites. Too many students have skipped this step and ended up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school. When you determine a career focus, it is very important to talk to people who are doing what you think that you might want to do so that you can see what they do, see how they got there, and see what advice and suggestions that they may have for you. It would also help to talk to the admissions office of the college which you might be planning on attending to see what courses that they suggest that you take relating to your career focus.


As it does not really matter where you go to college (visit the attached site), it would be a good idea to go to your local community college admissions office and consult with them about the courses which should be completed in high school relating to your career focus.


 It really does not matter what school you attend, as the most important factors are how well you do with the school work, which is an indication to an employer about what kind of employee you will be, and the effort that you put forth in your networking to set up networking connections that will help you throughout your education/career journey. Here is an important video for you to watch: ## http://www.ted.com/talks/julie_lythcott_haims_how_to_raise_successful_kids_without_over_parenting?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=talk&utm_term=education ##


Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Marissa’s Answer

I chose to graduate a semester early from college and have never regretted it. I saved a lot on classes and books, and I got a jump start for my career at a time fewer graduates are entering the job market.

I had completed an internship the summer before my graduation, and I was eager to get back to the working world and start earning better paychecks than I could as a student. The one semester of no school expenses and additional paychecks made a difference, and I don't feel like I missed out on anything. I can't think of any downsides.

I'd imagine high school as well would be similar, although with less cost savings.

Overall, as long as you are still within a relatively close peer group to other students so you don't miss out on opportunities for social connections (also a big part of school, networking), I would recommend it. Getting a jump start allows you to ahead earlier!
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Simeon’s Answer

I graduated early from both my undergrad and graduate work universities and it was worth it in both cases. You save money on tuition and get to enter the workforce (or take your gap year) that much sooner.
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Roger’s Answer

I do recommend that you graduate early through your Virtual Public School. And, you can enroll in college right away. During my senior year in High School, I took a very light load of high school classes. I had plenty of credits to graduate. At night (while still in high school) I took a few Community College classes that transferred as a general education credits to a 4 year college. So, how about taking the lighter load in high school or finishing high school early... and get an early jump on college by taking community college classes. Then, go to the "4-year college" and earn your degree in 3 years.
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