High school is a great time to find out who you are and start finding things that interest you. Many teenagers take this time to get involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. It is also the time that many start to take their academics more seriously and try to figure out what they want to do with the rest of their lives. This is a very difficult time, but it is also a great time to take advantage of the opportunities that your school gives you.
I attended a very small public school. My class graduated 20 students. Having only 20 students gave the school the opportunity to work with each student to find what they needed most out of school. Many students were enrolled in the vo-tech program and would spend the majority of their day at the technical center working in a variety of programs. Others took a work release, taking the classes they needed to graduate in the morning and then leaving to work in the afternoons. Then there was a group of us who enrolled as early college students at the local community college.
I'm not going to lie, taking college classes as a junior and senior in high school wasn't always the easiest. There were times when I just wanted to go hang out with my friends but knew I had to finish homework for my classes. I was very involved in extracurricular activities and had a part-time job. There were times when I thought that taking those classes was just too much. The more I think back on it though, the more I realize how much taking those classes helped me.
Taking early college classes helps with time management. I had a class that you could work through as quick as you wanted, but it still had days things were due. If I knew I had something else going on, I knew I could work ahead to have my assignments due by the deadline. I had other class where the professor gave an assignment at the beginning of the semester that was due the last week of class. It was one that you needed to work on the whole time, not just do it last minute. It makes you remember and helps you plan out when things need worked on and when they need done.
Taking advantage of your opportunities in school will really help you in the long run. By taking early college classes in high school, I will earn a bachelor's degree in three years. Taking early college classes and AP courses can help you earn college credits before you even start college. If attending college isn't for you, look into what job opportunities and technical programs your school offers. High school can be a time to have fun, but it is also a good time to start getting ready for your future.
