On May 29, CHS’ senior class will walk across the stage and accept their diplomas. Every senior dreams of their graduation date; however, they may not be fully prepared for how their lives will function after high school.
With the thought that our generation’s young adults are uninformed about life after high school in mind, The Warrior Word’s Twitter account posted a poll. This poll asked adults in our community what they wished they had known before graduating high school. Based on the results of the poll, the following tips were generated for high school seniors.
1. Enjoy the little moments
As you begin to enter a new period of your life, take the time to enjoy the little moments that may not have been as important at the time. Think about the jokes that made you fill with laughter, and be proud of the test that helped to bring up your grade. While looking back on these memories may seem bittersweet, reminiscing may help to guide you in the future.
2. Learn financial literacy
Many students graduate high school without knowing basic financial responsibility. Some of these gaps in information among young adults are found in not understanding how to do taxes, how to apply for a loan, or how to purchase a house or car. Financial literacy is defined by Investopedia as “the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.”
While CHS also offers an elective that teaches students about financial literacy, students can work to further their knowledge about finances on their own as well. Some financial strategies are easy to learn, including budgeting and saving for emergencies. However, some financial strategies take more time to become fluent in, but it is never too early to start. Investopedia offers a great article for young adults who are beginning the process of becoming financially literate.
3. Get into a schedule
As students begin to transfer from high school to the workforce, military, or college life, it is important to get into a schedule. It is easy to apply the scheduling and organizational skills that you learned in high school to the rest of your life. Time management continues to be important factor, even as students progress from just completing homework and prioritizing extracurriculars. Skills You Need has provided a great article with advice to help you build the perfect schedule. Some of these tips for schedule making include, dividing your day, breaking down larger tasks, and making changes to your schedule as needed.
4. Set personal goals
Setting personal goals for yourself is a easy way to stay motivated over the summer, and throughout the rest of your life. According to the organization Action for Happiness, “[Setting goals] gives us a sense of meaning and purpose, points us in the direction we want to go, and gets us interested and engaged, all of which are good for our overall happiness.”
When setting goals, it is important to take certain steps to make sure your goals are attainable and you stay on track. First, decide on what your goal is, including whether it is long-term or short-term, and write it down. Next, break down the goal into smaller steps, especially long-term goals, and plan your first step. These steps will make a large goal seem more realistic and achievable. Most importantly, when you complete a goal, remember to celebrate.
5. How to write professionally
One of the most important skills that students can learn as they progress from high school to a more professional environment is how to write in a professional style. Whether it be communicating with a possible employer or emailing a professor, you are much more likely to be received well if your writing sounds educated and qualified. According to Glassdoor, a popular job search website, “most professional communication is done via the written word, so it’s absolutely essential that your writing skills are up to snuff.”
Professional writing is a skill that you should have started to practice in high school, but it should definitely be improved as you mature. Glassdoor also offers tips for developing a professional writing style, including watching your tone, being concise in your writing, and knowing your facts. Most importantly always remember to edit and proofread your writing. A more in-depth analysis of these tips can be found here.
Overall, as students progress from high school to a professional or collegiate environment, there are many things to keep in mind. Remember to continue to work on yourself, and most importantly, good luck!
THE WARRIOR WORD 