Guide to Early High School Graduation?

Hey guys, I'm currently a junior considering graduating high school early for some personal reasons. Could you provide me with any advice, or the pros and cons that come with it? What steps did you take to make this happen?

In terms of advice, the first thing I'd suggest is having a candid conversation with your guidance counselor, parents, and possibly your teachers to discuss your plans and options. They can offer insight and guidance tailored to your current academic standing and future plans.

Before moving towards early graduation, you must ensure you'll still meet all required coursework for graduation. This usually means having to take extra courses or summer school to make sure you complete necessary credits.

Also, you should contemplate about your post-high school plans. If you intend to apply to college, consider whether or not graduating early will affect your ability to take certain advanced courses, or complete actions that would strengthen your application, such as leadership roles in extracurriculars, internships, or community service. For instance, many students strengthen their college applications during their senior year by taking on leadership roles in clubs or activities. If you graduate early, you might miss out on these opportunities.

There are also some pros and cons to early graduation. On one hand, the pros may include an early start on college or the workforce, potential savings if you plan to work immediately, and the possibility of escaping a high-school environment you're not happy in.

On the other hand, some of the cons could be missing out on important social experiences like prom or graduation with your class, potentially being a younger and less-experienced college student (if that's part of your future plans), and less time to prepare a competitive college application if you plan to apply to selective colleges. Some colleges also have policies about early high school graduates, which might affect applications.

In terms of steps to make it happen, once you have the buy-in from parents and educators, you'll need to request extra classes or terms to fulfill your graduation requirements, and work out a timeline with your counselor. You'll also want to start planning for your post-graduation life, whether that's applying to colleges earlier, hunting for jobs, or any other paths you're considering.

Ultimately, the decision to graduate early should hinge on your individual circumstances, and the best course of action will definitely vary from student to student. Consider all these factors carefully before making a decision.