The fall is one of the busiest times of year for high school seniors. For a lot of students, this time consists of making decisions about their future after they graduate. This may include; going to a traditional four year college, starting or attending a community college, going to a vocational school or program, or even taking a gap year to work or travel before pursuing higher education.
Some students are unsure of what path they want to follow after graduation. Not knowing what path to go down can be just as stressful as applying to college can be. There are lots of factors that contribute to being unsure about your future. In an interview with Isaiah Gonzalez he says his uncertainty about his future comes from not feeling passionate about something that he wants to pursue. This is a big decision and not having it figured out months away from graduation is ¨weighing on me; it causes lots of stress,¨ he says. It is not out of the ordinary for graduates to not have a plan or be uncertain about college. BestCollage.com claims that fifty-five percent of high school graduates are uncertain or still deciding if they may or may not go to college. With so many options to choose from, Isaiah’s family and teachers ¨encourage him to further his education.¨ He is considering taking a gap year to work and find something he is interested in pursuing before possibly attending college.
For students that are planning on attending college the guidance counselors play a big role in this process. We had an opportunity to speak with Mrs. Starrett and she gave some insight from guidances’ point of view. They spend lots of time getting students comfortable with the programs used to submit applications. Their main responsibility is sending out our transcripts and teacher recommendations. They also take the time to write recommendations for all of their students. Mrs. Starrett believes “meeting with the students and getting to know them contributes a lot to helping them figure out what is right for them. For students that are not as interested in college guidance is still a good resource to use for finding other options.” Some examples of alternate programs presented by guidance are taking a gap year, the military, Gloucester BioTech, and other local certificate programs.
Another senior, Brooke Bodwell, who is aspiring for a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, spent hours filling out the Common App application with the help of her parents and guidance counselor. Brooke mentioned that having parents who encourage her to obtain a bachelor’s degree as well as their willingness to be involved and help “allowed me [Brooke] to have support and be confident about my future and not overwhelmed.” She never found herself breaking down, or anxious about the college process; she took it step by step, using her resources to confidently apply to multiple schools. She already has an acceptance to UMaine and their honors college: yay Brooke! She claims that even before senior year she has always “imagined going to college for a very long time without pressure from my parents.” Some students know they want to pursue a college education; however it might not be for everyone.
Clearly, no two students have the same plan; that is why there are so many options and resources for students. However, a portion of students may lack family support or assistance in taking action in terms of their future plans. Whether you choose to go to college or not, the guidance department will support all students to the best of their ability. The goal is for all students to be successful and happy with their future.
