Recently, we filled out our course selection sheet. For students below grade 12, it was easy enough; we simply chose our preferred and required courses for next year and then registered them on a computer.
Yet, this has been a realization: for grade 10 students and up, our years in high school are almost over. Time is running out fast and soon we will find ourselves looking for an apartment and applying to post-secondary schools. Although that may sound a bit dramatic, there is no denying that we as students have plenty to stress about before we graduate.
The pressure is put on us to prepare and figure out what we want to do with the rest of our lives. We will need to begin thinking and planning whether or not we want to continue schooling.
For some, it is an easy choice. Students may already know what career they want to pursue as well as a dream school they want to apply for.
For others it may be more difficult. Some students may not be certain of what they want to do, or what school suits their needs best.
Students may even already know what career they want to chose but just don’t seem to be able to work out a plan to pursue it.
The stress we feel can be overwhelming. Courses we pick and schools we apply for are our paths to our future. We should choose wisely as to how we spend our hours at school. When applying for post-secondary, though, we have plenty of help and support.
Our councillors at school, as well as our parents, are at the ready to provide us with advice and guidance when it comes to planning a future after high school.
Along with applications and post-secondary plans comes independence. We will one day have to learn to provide and care for ourselves.
We will not always have our parents by our sides, buying our groceries and clothes, and making the money for us. We will have to take responsibility for our own well-being.
For some, in our most frustrating moments, we can feel like we are losing our chance to be a teenager. With all the stress and expectations we can lose our grip on the immaturity and fun that is being a teen. It takes a lot to transition into adulthood and with that we must grow up fast.
I know the majority of us are scared and see graduation and the years ahead as quite daunting.Yet, if we are considerate of the preparation school has provided us with, as well as the support we have in our parents and teachers, we can take things at our own pace and begin a new and exciting learning path to becoming an adult.
Macy How is a grade 10 student at Brooks Secondary School.
