At first sight, dropping out can be a terrible idea. The outlook for those who drop out of high school or any other study is considerably bleaker than for adolescents who complete their education.
Adults in their 30s who never finish high school earn less money per year in their jobs than those who did finish high school or higher education.
Dropouts are more likely in those boys and girls living in households with unemployed parents or in need of social assistance. The incarceration statistics are also alarming, two-thirds of inmates in prisons are people who left their studies before finishing compulsory secondary education.
Actors or musicians
There are some cases where dropping out or delaying the completion of a traditional education makes sense. Young musicians, dancers, or actors already pursuing careers in their teens may find the standard school day unwieldy.
Even if school hours are not in conflict, moving up to an 8 a.m. class may be impossible for someone with regular evening concerts. Most of those students and their families opt for private tutors or independent study programs that allow them to graduate on time.
Some students choose to defer their education for a semester, a year, or more when professional commitments require excessive travel or hours. That is a decision a family needs to weigh carefully. Many young actors and musicians have had to do this and it does not mean that it should be a problem in their future.
Health and school
Health problems may also require a pause in education while a person must heal, manage their physical or mental health condition, or find an alternative path.
From treating serious illnesses like cancer or other illnesses to managing depression, anxiety, or other psychological problems, school can sometimes become secondary to the pursuit of good health. Again, most teens and their families opt for independent tutoring or study programs that can be done privately or under the auspices of a public high school district, but it is not embarrassing to have to drop out of academics. waiting to attend to the most pressing health problems. Health is the first thing in life, because if it can neither study nor achieve a professional future.
Other motives
There are other reasons why adolescents and young people drop out of academic studies, such as:
- Pregnancy
- Have to work
- Support the family financially
- Caring for dependent family members
- Be a mother or father
- Get marry
The good news is that many of these adolescents or young people who are forced to make the decision to leave their studies early, when they grow up and become adults, they finish them. They finish Compulsory Secondary Education, because when they mature they realize the importance of having this title for their future. It is required for any job and also, if you want to improve the conditions of the future, it will be even more important to be able to access higher studies that will open doors for you in the future.
When deciding to drop out, you need to weigh the pros and cons of doing so. Know if it is a good idea at a certain time to do it or if it is better to find other ways to be able to do things better. It is necessary to keep the future in perspective all the time and choose the options that are best suited at the given moment, taking into account the circumstances, but without losing sight of the fact that the future must also be taken care of.
A traditional path to a high school diploma is not necessarily right for everyone, and once the initial shock of the idea has subsided, you may come to the conclusion that it would be best to pursue a good current independent path to age. adult. That doesn't mean you shouldn't look for an alternative route to a diploma. You will need time to consider which path to choose, with the knowledge that you are ready to reach the goal of completing your education. Find the way you need and If you don't know where to go, talk to an educational psychologist who can guide you.