Leaving school
school; exams; study; leaving; work; employment; pay; jobs; experience; dole; money; benefits; volunteer; stress; friends; university; uni; career; apprenticeship; mentor; mentorship; education; support; goas;
Contents
School… people hate it or think it's the best time of their life. However you look at it, you will have spent around seven hours a day, 5 days a week in school for at least ten years. So leaving school is a pretty big thing.
What to do next?
As you head towards the later years of high school, you may start hearing questions like:
- "What are you going to do for a career?"
- "What are your plans for next year?"
- "Are you going to University?"
- "What are you going to do at University?""
Try not to feel too overwhelmed or pressured if you haven't got answers to these questions.
For some people, this can be an exciting time as they begin the next stage of life after school with a strong sense of purpose. For others it can feel very confusing and uncertain. Lots of young people still don't know what they want to do in the future.
Myth:
You have to make a decision now that will determine what you will be doing for the rest of your life.
Fact:
You will make many decisions and changes in your life, and you can change your circumstances when you want. Even if you are certain of what you want to do now, it may not be what you want (or even what you are able to do) in 5, 10 or 20 years time.
Everyone is different
Be careful not to compare yourself to others.
- We are all different, we learn at different rates, in different ways from each other, and have different goals.
- We also do things at different stages and have different priorities.
Remember that, for most young people, there are many options available after leaving school, depending on what they are interested in.
- You may want to look for work so that you can save money to travel.
- You may want to continue education at a tertiary level.
- You may want to learn work on the job in an apprenticeship role.
- You may be tired from your study, feel like a break and wish to take up some interests you didn't have time for before.
To learn more about all this, check out our topic Employment.
Try talking to someone about your interests, goals and feelings to help you make a decision that suits you. You could approach a school or youth service counsellor.
What if you don't pass?
If at the end of your high school years you don't pass that final exam, it can seem devastating.
- It can make you doubt yourself and feel like giving up.
- It may be hard to be around friends who have done better than you.
Remember, school work and exams are only one part of life - some of the world's greatest leaders did not pass their exams at school. There is a long time in the future to achieve what you want to.
- Not passing an exam doesn't mean never passing it - it means you haven't passed it yet. One of your options is to try again next year.
- Or you could take some time out for a year or a few years, get a job and more life experience, and pick your study up later if you want to. Many young people are more focused and do much better the second time around.
Although there may be a lot of focus on whether you pass or fail, it is important to remember that none of the work you have done (even if you didn't pass the exam) is wasted.
- It is all part of your knowledge store, and what you have learnt will help you in any future work or study.
- You also get more out of being at school than just grades. Friends, sport and extra-curricular activities are all part of the school environment.
If you are concerned about your grades and your decision-making, you could talk to a counsellor for support and guidance.
Celebrating
Finishing something so significant is a pretty big milestone in your life, and like all big events, a celebration is probably called for.
- You may choose to go away with some friends or have a party.
- Enjoy your friends and release some of that stress you've accumulated.
- Remember to party safely, making yourself aware of potential problems and then have fun.
Lifestyle changes when you leave school
Aside from the changes to your education and work situation, there will be other changes to your lifestyle because you have left school.
- You may have friends at school that you are very close to, and you are used to seeing nearly every day of the week. It can be a bit of a shock when you're not seeing your old friends, and you also have to make new ones. Allow yourself to grieve for these changes.
- Most of your friends at school would have been around your age, but if you go to work or to tertiary education, you may be mixing with a greater variety of people, of all ages. This can be a very exciting time - as well as a bit scary sometimes.
- If your new job, or place of study, does not introduce you to many new people (or people of your age), you could join a community group to make opportunities to mix with others.
Leaving school early
In South Australia, the legal age for leaving school is 16 years.
There are many reasons why people choose to leave school early:
- Their friends might be leaving school.
- They would like to get work, earn some cash and achieve goals like moving out of home.
- The subjects at school are not what they are interested in (eg. they may be interested in arts and drama and these are not offered at their school). Alternative education is often an option - check with your school counsellor. In South Australia there are programs like 'Pathways' that have more flexible subjects.
- They are bored with what they have been doing for so many years and would like to do something else with their time.
- They are feeling unsure about the chance of getting a job even if they do finish school.
- They have an interest in learning while working (eg. a hairdressing apprenticeship) without having to finish high school.
- They may have difficulty coping with the expectations of study.
- Maybe they have health or social issues that take up a lot of time and energy.
- They may feel that there is too much pressure to achieve at school from their parents or caregivers.
- They might be having problems with students or teachers at their school and don't think they can be resolved.
If you are waiting to turn 16 years old to leave school, there may be some things you need to consider. For example, if you are intending on applying for an apprenticeship, you need to know that some require satisfactory completion of year eleven. Make sure you know what you need to have done well before you leave school.
If your school does not offer the classes that you want, check out your options of going to a senior college. If there is an evening class, you may be able to blend this with the curriculum at your current school.
If you live in Australia, are under 16 years and attending school, you may be eligible for the Youth Allowance (AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY). However if you leave school you are not eligible for a government allowance until you turn 18 years old.
Staying at school
There are many different reasons that young people might have for staying at school:
- They are interested in tertiary education that requires completion of their schooling.
- Completing schooling gives them more options for the future.
- They are unsure of what to do, but choice in subjects will allow them to study in areas of interest.
- Their friends are at school and leaving school would mean leaving them.
- They enjoy learning!
- They have good relationships with their teachers.
- They are not sure what they want to do, but feel that finishing school will help them when they do make a decision.
- They think that they will be working for many years in the future - so why not stay at school while they can.
- School can help them with getting work experience and linking with employment services.
- School is helping them develop a resumé to present when they go for jobs or apply for study, and some of the extracurricular activities are good to have on their resumé.
Leaving school early - the conflict
If you make a decision to leave school early (or at least you've told someone what you are thinking of doing), it can cause conflict.
- Perhaps your friends didn't react quite as you'd hoped.
- Your parents may have problems with your idea of leaving school.
- They may be concerned that you are passing up opportunities for your future.
- They may disappointed because you have opportunities in school that they never had, and they don't like to see you giving these up.
- They may not understand (or have forgotten) the pressures that are involved with school. There is often much more pressure on young people to achieve at school than there was in the past.
- They may be worried about you being able to get a job. Feeling secure about your future may be very important to them.
It is important to listen to their point of view, and to tell them about your feelings and concerns. If you aren't able to do this without help, you could ask your school counsellor to help you to talk about it with your parents.
Resources
South Australia
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
Contact TSS via the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19
or for mobile phone callers (08) 8303 1691 - normal rates apply.
- Services To Youth Council
1800 807 364
(08) 8211 8466
http://www.syc.net.au/
Includes:
- Job Pathways Program (JPP)
Assists recent school leaves in the transition for school to work.
- Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET)
15 - 21 year olds who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, a refugee, or under the guardianship of the state. Assistance entering education, training, or employment.
- Centrelink Career Information
Information on Careers and Further Study
Ground Floor, 55 Currie Street
Adelaide (08) 8401 3279
www.centrelink.gov.au
- The 'New Apprenticeships' web site
http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au
- School Counsellor
- Volunteer SA. You can do a phone interview to find volunteer work in your area – call (08) 8221 7177 – or simply use their online search tool at http://www.volunteeringsa.org.au
- Get involved in an environmental project, join
General
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).