After spending four years of high school, you are now ready to graduate. There are a few more things you need to work on before you can finally earn that sweet high school diploma. Find out the possible graduation requirements of your school and how you can prepare for them!
Of course, earning a high school diploma simply means going to school, getting good enough grades, and sit through the graduation ceremony. But as you probably know, graduation has its own requirements before you can literally get a hold of that coveted diploma which you have been longing for.
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High school credits. Graduation requirements vary according to state (and school). The most basic requirement in graduating is earning sufficient high school credits. This simply means passing all the subjects that are required in a high school curriculum.
Exit project. Some schools require a student to complete a culminating project. This is a project wherein a student presents a research paper in leadership, communication, conflict management, public speaking, or time management. Often, a student will engage the opinion of a respected member of the community through interview and documentation. There are schools that require graduating high school students to mentor a community or present their research to a panel. The culminating project is also referred to as a grad, exit, or senior projects in several states.
High school and beyond. Another project that may be required by your school is called the high school and beyond plan. Most schools engage students in this project during the 8th grade. Students continue to work on their high school and beyond plan until it culminates before graduation day. This often documents a student’s experience in high school, their learning and extra-curricular activities, and what they plan to do after graduation. It might seem a tedious work, but if you add some creativity to it, you will actually find this a very engaging project to do.
Grad exam. Finally, there is that high school graduation examination, often referred to by the students as an exit exam. Not all states require students to take this test. As of 2013, 25 states require their students to pass the exit exam before they graduate. Several education boards all over the United States are requesting for graduation exams to be phased out. Contact your school to know more about your exit exam.
If you feel daunted by the requirements of getting that high school diploma, do not be. 2013 is a bright year for high school students, as this year saw the highest high school graduation rate in the past 40 years.
Putting that high school diploma right into your hands signals a new phase in life. Here, your life will go forward into multiple paths: starting a job, getting a college degree, going to a vocational school, and many other routes in between.
If you want to know which way to go, it is best to ask people who have been down that path. Discuss your personal and career goals with your teachers or family. You may also explore occupations that will suit your skills and best interests. If you plan to proceed to college, visit your prospect school prior to enrolling. Get a feel of what it is like to be there and study their curriculum.
You should be more optimistic as you get closer to getting that high school diploma. After all, you have already passed one of the challenging years of your life—nothing is too big for you now.