The Real Goals of High School

Knowing — and staying focused on — the real goals will help your student be successful in high school and beyond. Achieving good grades and planning for life after high school graduation should be your student’s highest priorities.

Why It Matters

It’s all about balance.
Students sink a lot of time and effort into a variety of activities, but too much distraction from the real goals of high school can be detrimental.
Your student’s success after high school can be affected.
Getting caught up in distractions can result in lower grades, which limits your student’s options after high school. In addition, some distractions can decrease motivation, lead to health and disciplinary issues, and have more severe consequences for years to come.
Specific goals may mean a change for high school.
Your student may be able to choose among high schools. Open enrollment, private high schools, online education and home-schooling are all options. The best choice for your student depends on several factors, including academic rigor and reputation of the high school, family finances, location, school atmosphere and your student’s goals.

What Your Student Can Do Now

Understand what’s really important.
If your student has decided on a path for education and training after high school, they should be able to determine the requirements for acceptance into that program. For example, high grades, leadership and involvement often are considered for admission into competitive college programs. Taking high school electives that tie closely to skilled trades, such as carpentry, metalworking or health care classes, can help your student better understand and prepare for those career fields.
Make a high school choice that fits.
If your student is considering more than one high school option, they should think about how well each fits the desired path. Will the local public or private school provide better preparation for the next step? Does the cost of enrolling in a private school now diminish the funds available for education after high school? Does an alternative program provide a direct path to the desired career?
Keep activities manageable.
By keeping the main goal of preparing for the step after high school in mind, your student can choose the activities that together provide the appropriate balance of physical activity, learned skills, time commitment and leadership opportunities while allowing enough time to achieve the best possible grades.

What Your Student Can Do Later

Maximize study habits.
Students have different learning styles, and your student may benefit greatly by knowing his or her own learning style and then adapting study habits accordingly. Online assessments like this one can be a good starting place. Once school begins, your student can adapt notetaking and study methods to suit the learning style.
Reduce non-productive activities.
Your student can pay attention this school year to the amount of time devoted to studying and how that affects grades. If video games, social media or online surfing, dating and social activities, or extracurricular activities are making it difficult to achieve the desired grades, something will need to be cut back. A balance of activities that provide fun, relaxation and opportunities for leadership and involvement is ideal.

What You Can Do

Have a chat about the activities your student is drawn to.
Talk about the things your student naturally likes to do and how to direct that interest most productively. An abundance of school classes and organizations provide outlets for all kinds of interests. Be watchful if your student appears to be stretched too thin or likely to face difficulties due to particular interests.
Help set limits.
At this age, your student may find it difficult to limit activities his or her peer group is invested in. Encourage your student to think independently about changing interests and goals. In addition, be receptive if your student suggests dropping out of or reducing participation in an activity that your family may have already invested a lot of time and money in previous years.
Be a sounding board for decision-making.
If your student is considering different high school options, help by considering together pros and cons. Besides academic considerations, social aspects and financial concerns may play a big part of the decision.

Next Steps

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