Leaving school
school; leave; leaving; high; university; TAFE; apprentice; apprenticeship; exams; fail; work;
Contents
Hate it or love it there comes a time when you need to start thinking about leaving school.
So, what are you going to do next year?
- What job do you think you'll get?
- What about University?
- What about TAFE, an apprenticeship, part time work?
If you haven't got any answers to these questions then don't despair. You are not on your own.
Myth:
You have to make a decision now that will determine what you will be doing for the rest of your life.
Fact:
Most people nowadays have many different jobs during their working lives as they take up different interests, challenges and opportunities.
Options
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 you are interested in.
- You may want to look for work so that you can save money to travel, buy a car or have some independence (check out our topic Employment)
- You may want to continue education at a tertiary level.
- You may want to learn 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.
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 haven't passed?
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. You have other options for continuing study. Talk to your school counsellor or carers adviser so that you can make an informed choice.
- 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.
- Even if you fail your exam it doesn't mean that all your time at school has been wasted. During your life you will come to realise that nothing you ever learn is wasted.
If you are concerned about your grades and your decision-making, you could talk to a counsellor for support and guidance.
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.
- Your working day will be longer.
- You may have part time work and study.
- You may be with people of all ages and need to make new friends.
- You may miss school friends and need to make regular catch up times to keep in touch.
- You may need to join a community group or sport group to be able to make friends with young people.
- You may be expected to do more around the house.
- You may be able to pay board to help out the family.
Leaving school early
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. 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 want to get a job before the end of the year when there will be so many others looking.
- They have an interest in learning while working (eg. a hairdressing apprenticeship) without having to finish high school.
- They may have difficulty keeping up with 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 are 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.
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.
Your parents may be concerned that you are passing up opportunities for your future.
- They may be 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.
It may be that your parents want you to finish school early and you don't. A school counsellor may be able to help you talk to your parents and give them information about your possible career path and any financial help you may get from Centrelink.
Money
If you live in Australia you may be eligible for Youth Allowance if you are:
- 16–20 years old and
- studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship full-time, or
- looking for full time work or undertaking a combination of approved activities, or have temporary exemption from the participation and activity test requirements.
- 21–24 years old and studying or undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship full-time.
- over 25 – then you can keep getting Youth Allowance until you finish your course or Apprenticeship.
However if you leave school and you are not working, looking for work or studying you are not eligible for a government allowance although your parents may be eligible for other benefits.
Look at the Centrelink site for more information or make an appointment to go and talk with someone at Centrelink, your school counsellor or someone from the organizations listed below.
Make sure you have all the information you need before you decide what to do.
Check out the Resources below. There are many people who can help you if you ask.
Resources
South Australia
- 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 Australian Apprenticeships web site
http://www.australianapprenticeships.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).