Advantages of Graduating High School Early

One of the biggest myths regarding high school is that it takes four years to attain your diploma. In fact, a growing number of learners are completing the requirements for a high school diploma a semester or even an entire year. Even though there are many good reasons for experiencing four years of high school, there are just as many advantages of graduating high school early. Here’s a look at ways learners can gain a benefit by completing their high school responsibilities in less time than the standard four years.

Get an Early Beginning on Your Career

Not every rewarding career necessitates a college degree. Like electricians, construction workers, and plumbers, many traders begin with on-the-job apprenticeships and other forms of training. Nevertheless, as U.S. News & World Report explains, every graduate requires to have a plan in place for life after high school, whether they complete it in four years or sooner.

School counselors understand that every student’s situation is unique, and in many instances, the decision to pursue early graduation relates to their family’s financial status. One characteristic that counselors consider important for students who plan to graduate early is a high level of maturity. Taking on real-world responsibilities needs both a post-graduation plan and the will and dedication to stick with the plan through difficult times.

Start Your University Career Early

Most high school students who opt to graduate early do so to pursue their postsecondary education at an institution that enables them to enroll midyear or even a year early. Getting a jump-start on earning a college or university degree allows learners to enter the workforce a year or more ahead of their classmates. Early enrollment in college is particularly beneficial to athletes who want to start training in their sport at the college level immediately. Nevertheless, for many learners who enter college before their high school classmates, the greatest advantage is the capability to reduce the cost of higher education by applying the same approach to college, obtaining an undergraduate degree in fewer than four years.

Academically Challenge Yourself 

The one-size-fits-all curriculum of most high school programs fails to engage advanced learners and make the best utilization of the time they spend in the class. A major advantage of graduating high school early for these learners is the chance to study topics and material that will enable them to progress faster in their chosen fields. Colleges provide much broader curricula that learners can use to craft a custom program of study, allowing them to improve their academic skills and kindle the excitement they feel about getting started in their careers.

Gain Independence

The maturity needed for pursuing early graduation is also a major reason for wanting to make a quick exit. Notably, high schools tend to be rigidly structured learning environments since most high school learners aren’t yet capable of being responsible for their own academics, let alone the duties that come with life after high school. For most learners, gaining the freedom to make decisions for themselves is the main advantage of graduating high school early.

Stand Out to Universities or Colleges

Learners who test out of high school courses and finish ahead of schedule can make an impression on potential employers and college recruiters. Together with a high grade-point average and high scores on the SAT and/or ACT exams, the effort needed to complete their high school requirements in fewer than four years gains the attention of college recruiters.

Moreover, the New England Board of Higher Education states that learners who enrolled in college early tended to be great achievers who outperformed the general learner population: The Grade Point Average of early entrants averaged 3.6 in their first year, compared with 2.9 for all learners, according to 2017 data.

Take a Gap Year

Not all education takes place in classrooms, study halls, libraries, and labs. Attaining a high school diploma earlier opens opportunities for graduates to pursue interests outside of school. Most learners spend a gap year between high school and college or work traveling across the globe, while others spend this time working or volunteering in their community prior to joining college at the same time like their peers on the standard four-year high school schedule.

Tailor Your Interests

A small number of high schools can match the range of subjects that universities and colleges offer their learners. Once an individual has discovered the field they intend to pursue as a career, they may tailor their elective programs to match their interests. If the goal is to pursue a technical subject, an area of the arts, or a particular medical specialty, learners are more likely to thrive when they are engaged in subjects they are passionate about and making progress toward their career goals.

Evade “Senioritis”

The final year of high school leaves some learners suffering from a malady referred to as “senioritis” that saps their enthusiasm for just about everything associated with high school. Graduating earlier can help reinvigorate learners by focusing their efforts on college or work opportunities.

Fresh U, a site dedicated to preparing learners for their first year of college, highlights the advantages of graduating high school early for one learner whose case of senioritis threatened to derail her hopes for college. She had completed her most difficult high school courses, had her final ACT score, and knew the colleges she intended to apply to, but the outlook of another whole year of high school filled her with dread. After meeting with her school counselor, she was able to lower her senior year to a single semester.

Earn College Credit Early

The same learner whose cure for senioritis Fresh U described also discovered another advantage to early graduation whereby she spent the first half of her school day at a local technical institute that enabled her to earn 6 credit hours toward her college degree. While most high schools provide advanced placement courses that qualify for college credit, they are not the best option for all learners. Likewise, schools may offer dual enrollment in both college and high school; according to the New England Board of Higher Education, 28 states now allow universities and colleges to “host” high school seniors for a full freshman year of university or college.

Lower the Cost of Earning a College Degree

A key benefit of earning college credit before enrolling is being able to spend less on tuition and other college costs. Through the application of a similar effort that got them out of high school early, learners can attain a college degree without paying the expense of full four-year enrollment.

Attain an Early-Graduation Scholarship

An increasing number of states are attempting to stretch their education budgets by providing high school learners incentives for early graduation. According to Secrets to School Success reports, the state of Indiana now provides high school learners $4,000 in case they graduate at least one year early, and several other states, as well as Minnesota, Idaho, Utah, and South Dakota, offer scholarships for learners who graduate early and subsequently enroll in a “state-approved college.”

Take Charge of Your Life-Long Studies

Irrespective of the path students embark on after completing high school, schooling will be a big part of their lives. Professions of all kinds need continuous education to keep pace with changes in their industries. Learners will be required to take advantage of opportunities to advance their skills and training throughout their careers.

How High School of America Helps High School Students Graduate Early

It is not uncommon for learners to be “done” with the high school experience long prior to their senior year. There is much to be said for experiencing the rituals of high school — attaining your diploma, going to prom, hanging out with your allies — but there are many good reasons for learners to complete high school early. Learners can make the most of the advantages of graduating high school early by taking advantage of the online high school courses provided by High School of America.

 High School of America caters both to students hoping to supplement their coursework at a faster pace through individual course offerings and learners hoping to enroll in a different school altogether to complete their degree. Explore more about the benefits of online high school with High School of America.

Resources and References:

• Benefits of Graduating Early
• ACT Vs. SAT Exams
• Graduating From High School Earlier