Preparing for Your Next Step The social status of being a senior is good, but it is just one side
of it. The side that has the biggest impact is
academics. You have been in school 12 and sometimes 13 years. Now you
are at the point of matriculating. You are poised. You are about to
leave high school and enter the adult world. You have a year to make
that transition. The first thing you should do is make sure you are getting all the
academic experience necessary to prepare for college or subsequent
employment. You need to develop a plan that should include short-term as
well as long-term goals. Typically, high school graduates are unprepared for the
transition to independence.
Early, ongoing training in the social skills is
crucial to establishing successful adult relationships—in college,
vocational school, residential living, or on the job—can help. You should be aware of legal, financial, educational, vocational,
and community resources that are available after graduation. Focus on finding 'your
passion' or 'your calling' in life and pursuing it. Learn to continue focusing on your life goals in spite of any setbacks.
