How to Prepare High School Students for Graduation
Preparation for high school graduation truly begins the first day of high school. Whether a graduate intends to continue an education at a trade school, community college, four-year university or go directly into the workforce, preparation to earn that high school diploma takes all four years. Much of the early preparation for high school graduation focuses on planning and goal-setting. Preparation during the sophomore and junior years turns to academic effort and extracurricular interests while the senior year requires preparations for the final graduation ceremony.
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Instructions
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School counselors are critical advisors in the pre-graduation process. Choose the course of study that bests fits your projected academic and career plans during your freshman year. If you are interested in attending a four-year college or beyond, you will need to take more vigorous courses than if you are interested in a hands-on trade career. While your career interests may change many times before graduation, setting high goals leaves you more options for continuing education after high school graduation.
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Your school academic advisor or counselor will be able to tell you how many course credits you need to graduate. Meet with your school guidance counselor yearly to make sure your course credits are on track for graduation. If you wait until the beginning of your senior year to meet with your counselor and find out you are missing credits for graduation, there may not be time to earn those credits before the end of the year.
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Keeping track of your grades and your grade point average keeps you on track. Monitor your academic transcripts at the end of each semester so you know what your grade point average (GPA) is and where you need to place extra effort to meet your target goals. Some colleges have higher GPA requirements than others. Schedule an appointment with your academic adviser whenever you have questions or concerns.
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Your parents can be very helpful when filling out applications and providing application fees for universities and colleges. Apply to colleges as early as your junior year, if you are interested in a bachelor's degree. Visit and tour any university you are interested in attending, before submitting an application.
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For students who have difficulty with test-taking, scheduling to take the SAT more than once can be helpful. Schedule and take the American College Testing (ACT) test, the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT) more than once if you are planning to go to a college. Allow yourself time to work toward the scores you will need for admission. Consult with your academic adviser for tips on how to prepare for placement tests.
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Organizing your senior-year deadlines and events on one main calendar will keep the whole family prepared. Discuss graduation details with parents or guardians before the spring of your senior year. Work together as a team to plan a celebration, order any photos, create ceremony invitations and order cap and gown. Setting up a calendar at the beginning of senior year to mark deadlines and special events will keep you and your family on track for graduation.
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Tips & Warnings
Seniors often get a year-long schedule of senior events at the beginning of the year to prepare them for the deadlines and hectic graduation-related events in the spring. Take advantage of that information to plan events and delegate responsibilities. Setting aside money for the festivities and a graduation gift early in the school year will help make the graduation season less worrisome and more enjoyable.
Many potential high school graduates enter their senior year assuming they are on track for graduation simply because they passed their courses. However, it is crucial to meet with your academic adviser at the end of your junior year to verify that you completed all the required credit courses and have enough credits, including your senior classes, to qualify for graduation. Graduation requirements are based on course credits, not the number of years or hours you have attended high school. If you have any deficiencies, inquire about summer classes.
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