8 answers
denae
Student
Maricopa, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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How will high school help me out in the long run ?
Right now high school is very hard and I want to give up but I want to know how it would really help me when I get older.
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8 answers
Christina Ridgely Aschenberg
Lending Call Center Manager
17
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Christina’s Answer
A high school diploma will help you to get many jobs in the future. Ask yourself what is making high school so hard? Talk to your guidance counselor about why it's hard. Seek out therapy - a lot of schools can help you with resources to get this. This can help you uncover why it is so hard for you. Is it your learning style that is preventing you from learning? Can they help accommodate you? Try to focus on the parts that you do like about school and go from there. But definitely best to talk to a trusted advisor, family, friend, or whatever to help you through this tough season in life. I have 2 high-schoolers currently and I know it's hard! Don't give up though. You are tougher. The biggest lesson I had to learn in life was to ask for help. Once I did, those that you ask for help, if they are the right ones, will be so grateful you did and work hard to find you that help you need and be your champion through this. If they are not the right ones to help and are not engaged in your success, find someone else. There are many adults in your life that I am sure will want to see you succeed. Just look for them :)
Eryn Brodsky
Presales Manager
2
Answers
Lake Bluff, Illinois
Updated
Eryn’s Answer
Hello Denae,
As a mother of two high school-aged children, I often find myself addressing similar concerns. Here's what I usually share with my son...
High school is a treasure trove of life skills that extend far beyond the confines of your report card. It's a platform where you'll learn to maneuver through various social situations, distinguishing between your true friends and those who are merely acquaintances. You'll also get to explore diverse ways of communication and how to respond effectively to each style.
One of the most valuable lessons high school teaches is the art of graceful failure - the ability to dust yourself off and try again. You might even stumble upon subjects that ignite a passion you never knew existed. Plus, if you're juggling schoolwork with extracurricular activities, you'll master the art of time management.
Don't overlook the significance of your academic work either. You'd be amazed how often high school lessons come in handy in adulthood. For instance, I find myself using Algebra on a daily basis in my job!
So, don't let the present challenges dampen your spirit. Persevere through these obstacles, and you'll be amazed at how much you can achieve!
As a mother of two high school-aged children, I often find myself addressing similar concerns. Here's what I usually share with my son...
High school is a treasure trove of life skills that extend far beyond the confines of your report card. It's a platform where you'll learn to maneuver through various social situations, distinguishing between your true friends and those who are merely acquaintances. You'll also get to explore diverse ways of communication and how to respond effectively to each style.
One of the most valuable lessons high school teaches is the art of graceful failure - the ability to dust yourself off and try again. You might even stumble upon subjects that ignite a passion you never knew existed. Plus, if you're juggling schoolwork with extracurricular activities, you'll master the art of time management.
Don't overlook the significance of your academic work either. You'd be amazed how often high school lessons come in handy in adulthood. For instance, I find myself using Algebra on a daily basis in my job!
So, don't let the present challenges dampen your spirit. Persevere through these obstacles, and you'll be amazed at how much you can achieve!
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Denae, there are a number of reasons why you should finish. The clearest is that there are very few jobs for people without a high school diploma and most of the ones there are don't pay enough to live on. But there are other reasons. You don't want to get in the habit of quitting when things get hard. Maybe you're dealing with other hard things, I don't know. But the pride you'll feel from successfully completing high school and participating in the graduation where you'll get your diploma and the applause of those who recognize your accomplishment will be well worth it. There might be classes in high school that you haven't taken yet which might give you some idea and foundation for what you want to do with your life. Pretty much anything worthwhile in life is hard. If high school is particularly hard for you, and there could be a number of legitimate reasons for that, then get a tutor or special accommodations or whatever you need to be successful. Don't give up on yourself, you can do it.
Carrie Reyna, MBA
Director, Treasury Operations
26
Answers
Missouri City, Texas
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
You might want to check out https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/unemployment-rates-for-persons-25-years-and-older-by-educational-attainment.htm. You will see that the unemployment rate for individuals without a high school diploma is consistently higher than the rate for high school graduates. During the early days of the pandemic, it was 21.2% for those who did not graduate high school, 17.7% for high school graduates, 15.5% for those with some college, and 8.4% for those with a bachelor's degree and higher. That's a big difference.
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
472
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
Your challenge is that you are in the secondary education 'bubble', the protective environment that has protected you (as it did for me when I was your age) from all the difficulties in the world. Your daily existence, fun, sports, whatever, was tightly tied to your school environment. But once you leave high school, you will face the real world, a world that demands you prove your worth. To do that, you will need further education of some sort, and your HS experience prepares you for that. Do not despair, as your future awaits you. Stay to the course and look to your opportunities. Your school work is to prepare you for a bigger and better world. I wish you the best.
Robert McAdams
Software Engineer
30
Answers
Roseville, California
Updated
Robert’s Answer
There is no realistic way a working adult professional can accurately answer this question (as it entirely depends on what you plan to do next), but I will give you some general advice.
(1) You will get out of high school what you put into it. E.G. if you sleep through high school, barely pass with C- grades, and make zero effort, then that is the level of education you will get. On the other hand, if you take advantage of every opportunity to learn and challenge yourself while in high school, you may surprise yourself by how that helps you.
(2) How much high school helps you will entirely depend on the path in life you choose. Most of the math skills you will need to be an adult with a bank account you should have learned in earlier grades. Most (U.S.) adults only read at around an 8th grade level, and most (U.S.) adults don't know history very well (which is why it is often repeated). So, classes and skill-wise, high school isn't going to help you much in your day-to-day adult life. That being said, the path you take after high school will dramatically alter how much high school is going to help you.
(A) If you decide to enter a trade school (plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc.) generally speaking those schools don't REQUIRE a high school diploma or GED (but some do).
(B) If you decide to go straight to Junior College after high school, again, a high school diploma isn't (usually) required, although you will likely have to take remedial courses to finish qualifying for prerequisites for some classes, depending on your course of study.
(C) If you decide to work in a family business, again, a diploma won't be necessary (assuming the family doesn't mind), however, if you inherit that business down the line, and need a bank loan, the bank may not be willing to make a business loan to someone who never finished high school.
(D) If you decide to become a home maker, a high school diploma won't be required, but some classes from high school would definitely help with that (economics, wood shop, auto shop, civics, etc.)
(E) Finally, if you plan to attend a 4 year university, you will need either a GED or your high school diploma.
(3) So, the answer to your question depends on what you want to do after high school. If you plan to follow a path that will not require a high school diploma, you can drop out without consequence (so long as you have reached the age where it is legal to do that in your state). However, if you do that, you will close the door to certain options you may want to take later in life.
My advice would be to take a deep breath, get some tutoring, ask your school admins and teachers for help, and power through the work and get the diploma. Part of the reason a diploma has value is because it is not easy to earn. Even if you don't plan (right now) to follow a path that would need a diploma, you never know what life will throw at you, and it is better to be over prepared than under prepared, when it comes to life challenges.
Good luck :)
(1) You will get out of high school what you put into it. E.G. if you sleep through high school, barely pass with C- grades, and make zero effort, then that is the level of education you will get. On the other hand, if you take advantage of every opportunity to learn and challenge yourself while in high school, you may surprise yourself by how that helps you.
(2) How much high school helps you will entirely depend on the path in life you choose. Most of the math skills you will need to be an adult with a bank account you should have learned in earlier grades. Most (U.S.) adults only read at around an 8th grade level, and most (U.S.) adults don't know history very well (which is why it is often repeated). So, classes and skill-wise, high school isn't going to help you much in your day-to-day adult life. That being said, the path you take after high school will dramatically alter how much high school is going to help you.
(A) If you decide to enter a trade school (plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc.) generally speaking those schools don't REQUIRE a high school diploma or GED (but some do).
(B) If you decide to go straight to Junior College after high school, again, a high school diploma isn't (usually) required, although you will likely have to take remedial courses to finish qualifying for prerequisites for some classes, depending on your course of study.
(C) If you decide to work in a family business, again, a diploma won't be necessary (assuming the family doesn't mind), however, if you inherit that business down the line, and need a bank loan, the bank may not be willing to make a business loan to someone who never finished high school.
(D) If you decide to become a home maker, a high school diploma won't be required, but some classes from high school would definitely help with that (economics, wood shop, auto shop, civics, etc.)
(E) Finally, if you plan to attend a 4 year university, you will need either a GED or your high school diploma.
(3) So, the answer to your question depends on what you want to do after high school. If you plan to follow a path that will not require a high school diploma, you can drop out without consequence (so long as you have reached the age where it is legal to do that in your state). However, if you do that, you will close the door to certain options you may want to take later in life.
My advice would be to take a deep breath, get some tutoring, ask your school admins and teachers for help, and power through the work and get the diploma. Part of the reason a diploma has value is because it is not easy to earn. Even if you don't plan (right now) to follow a path that would need a diploma, you never know what life will throw at you, and it is better to be over prepared than under prepared, when it comes to life challenges.
Good luck :)
Mahi Patel
Student Advisor and Dental
99
Answers
Davie, Florida
Updated
Mahi’s Answer
It would provide you with opportunities to succeed in a different environment such as college. However, if education is not for you, trade school is also a valuable option.
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
275
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
So glad you are asking this question. Often high school can be very hard and stressful. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone about how you're feeling. School counselors are trained to listen and offer suggestions. Or you might have a friend, relative, or neighbor who could help guide you on difficult days.
Having a high school education will help you be successful in the future. A diploma will usually offer more possible job options and provide a greater income when you might need it. You will also feel proud of yourself on the day of your graduation when you know you overcame obstacles to get there and it will give you encouragement perhaps to continue your education, maybe at a community college or to find a job that makes you feel good about what you're doing. Meanwhile consider volunteering for something which might also provide a way to meet new contacts and to gain experience in life.
With every good wish!
Having a high school education will help you be successful in the future. A diploma will usually offer more possible job options and provide a greater income when you might need it. You will also feel proud of yourself on the day of your graduation when you know you overcame obstacles to get there and it will give you encouragement perhaps to continue your education, maybe at a community college or to find a job that makes you feel good about what you're doing. Meanwhile consider volunteering for something which might also provide a way to meet new contacts and to gain experience in life.
With every good wish!