I didn’t have the money for college yet. What exactly did I want to do after college? I had been so laser-focused on graduating early that only after succeeding did I realize my path forward wasn’t so clear… And while I had my sights set on an English degree, was I sure that was the right major for me?
Reasons for graduating early
There are a number of reasons why students might want to complete high school earlier than most. Students may choose to accelerate their graduation so they can:
What does it mean to graduate early from high school?
Early high school graduation entails finishing your course requirements in less time than four years while still receiving a diploma. When choosing to graduate early, students typically do so during their junior year or halfway through their senior year, graduating in three or three and a half years. Graduating early means you complete all state requirements for graduation before the allotted four-year period, which makes it different from dropping out. This includes completing all coursework and assessments necessary to receive a high school diploma.
Graduating early pros and cons
Thinking carefully about the advantages and disadvantages of graduating early and how they may affect your current situation and future goals is necessary before making this decision. The main benefits and drawbacks of graduating from high school early are as follows:
Pros of graduating early
Pros of graduating early from high school include:
Cons for graduating early
Cons of graduating early from high school include:
How to graduate early from high school
To ensure that you fulfill the requirements to receive a diploma, the process of graduating early requires careful planning. Decide if an early graduation is in your best interests and learn how to complete high school quickly by using the steps below:
1. Consider your future plans
Your plans as you get ready to finish high school can be influenced by your reasons for graduating early. Think about whether you might require particular courses to apply to the college program of your choice. Consider your extracurricular activities if college is your ultimate goal. Consider what will have the biggest impact on your resume and application materials because getting into college is a competitive process.
Decide how you’re going to spend the additional time after high school if you decide to graduate early for reasons other than to pursue a college degree. Whatever you decide, graduating early can have an impact on your personal goals and future career.
2. Make a timeline for your goals
Setting a date for when you want to finish based on the year, month, and semester of your desired exit is the first step in planning an early graduation. Set objectives once you are aware of the date to monitor your progress and make sure you can graduate on schedule. It might be beneficial to create a chart, list, or timeline with your proposed schedule.
3. Determine your exit requirements
Next, discuss your strategy for accelerated graduation with a counselor. Tell them when you intend to finish, and together, you can decide which courses and exams you need to take to earn your diploma. They can assist you in calculating the credit hours you already possess and in determining how to satisfy state requirements while still finishing courses more quickly. They can also assist you in creating a schedule to take the most courses possible.
4. Readjust your schedule
You may need to modify your lifestyle once you’ve made a plan to finish the remaining coursework and made sure you can fulfill all the requirements by the date you’ve chosen to graduate. Accelerated classes often mean eliminating some extracurricular and social activities. You might need to sign up for online courses or take more classes over the summer. You might have to study on weeknights and weekends if you have additional coursework to complete.
5. Consider alternatives
Consider other options that might still be advantageous to your future educational and career plans before deciding to accelerate your high school graduation. Dual enrollment is one option for college-bound students. By choosing this option, you can earn credit for both high school and college courses. If you pass end-of-course exams at a specific level, advanced placement classes may also grant credits toward college requirements. Some high schools provide students with program options to help them prepare for a variety of careers in the trades or other industries.
Tips for planning an early graduation
You can prepare for an early graduation by using the suggestions below:
Why I’m Graduating HiGH SCHOOL One Year Early
FAQ
Is graduating early possible?
- Save on tuition and make money earlier. …
- Prepare for grad school. …
- There are other ways to learn. …
- Missing out on the non-academic aspects of college. …
- Less time and flexibility on the academic and extracurricular fronts.
- Fewer internship, externship, and research opportunities.
What does early graduation mean?
- Set a Graduation Date. …
- Identify Courses, Number of Credits, and Other Requirements. …
- Determine Any Specific College Requirements. …
- Pull Together Current Transcripts and Recommendation Letters. …
- Scope Out Your Options and Apply for Programs. …
- Make a Schedule and Stick to It.
What are the pros and cons of graduating early?
Students who want to leave high school early aim to do so in less time than four years, typically in three or three and a half. If you have completed less than three years of high school, it’s frequently difficult or impossible to graduate unless you are homeschooled or attend a non-traditional school.
