What To Do After High School

Graduating high school can provide you with an exhilarating sense of freedom: Finally, it’s up to you to choose how to spend your time. But this freedom can also feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what to do after high school. Understanding more about your choices and learning ways to navigate the uncertainty of this process could make it seem less intimidating. 

Options for recent high school graduates

There are many different options for what to do next after you graduate high school. If you’re looking to consider various paths, you might think about the following.

Going to college

After high school, many students choose to go on to college or university. College degrees are required for certain types of jobs, and college can be a place to explore career paths, build connections, and learn about yourself. 

That said, college isn’t a desirable choice for everyone. Plus, college can be expensive—especially colleges that aren’t public or colleges located outside of your home state. That’s why it’s usually important to research your financial aid options, look into scholarships, and make sure you understand the impact of student loans before committing to a university.  

If you’re torn on the choice between going to a university or taking another path, community college could be a helpful option. Community colleges are typically far less expensive than traditional universities, so attending one could be a way to “test out” college without a major financial commitment. Community colleges also often offer courses related to certain trade certificates.  

Going to trade school or vocational school

Getting a college degree is not the only option for furthering your education after you graduate high school. They may not be talked about as often, but trade schools and vocational schools are ways to learn technical skills to work at well-paying jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree. These jobs include:

• Welder
• Medical assistant
• Electrician
• Home health aide
• Plumber
• Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• Construction worker
• Truck driver

Taking a gap year

As a 17- or 18-year-old high school graduate, it can feel overwhelming to try and figure out what you want to do with your life next. It may be helpful to take some time to engage in meaningful self-reflection and learn more about yourself and the world. Taking a “gap year” after high school—in which you might travel, study abroad, volunteer, or work to save up money—could give you an idea of which path you want to go down. 

Tips for making your decision

The above options are not the only choices for post-school life. You could also start your own business, volunteer with a charitable organization, or any number of other choices. The possibilities are endless—so much so that it can be complicated to narrow down your options.

You might talk to your family, friends, and loved ones about your future, as they know you well and may have helpful suggestions. There are also a number of tests and assessments, like the ACT Student Interest Inventory, that can help you determine what you are interested in and offer potential paths to take.

Managing uncertainty

Knowing all of your options may not make your choice for what to do after high school seem any easier; in fact, it can make the whole process more overwhelming.

When your family disagrees with your choice

For some people, what they want to do after high school is clear. The problem can sometimes lie in moving forward with their choice when their family members and loved ones want them to take a different path.

It can be difficult for family members to watch a child turn into an adult who makes their own choices, but you are the only one who can decide how to live your life. Explaining your decisions to your loved ones—and being patient when they disagree with you—may help them to better understand and respect this.

Caring for your mental health during this time

The time right after high school can be a formative period full of decisions to be made. You may also face challenges related to the transition itself—going from the structure of high school and the social groups you may have belonged to there to suddenly being in charge of your own time and watching your friends go separate ways. As a result, you might feel anxiety, confusion, frustration, uncertainty, and other challenging emotions. Here are some tips for managing them.

Lean on your support system

Whether you’re looking for support, validation, advice, or even a distraction, leaning on those you love can be helpful. Research suggests that having a strong support system is linked to better mental and emotional health and stress resilience. Tapping into your support system when you need a little extra help can be beneficial in a number of ways. 

Take time for yourself

If you are always listening to what other people want for you, it may be harder to get in tune with yourself and what you really want to do. That’s why it can be helpful to take some time away from others during this period to engage in contemplative solitude. You can go for long walks or drives around your city, spend quiet time in nature, or take a moment to journal. 

Practice basic self-care

The time period after graduating high school can be hectic, especially if you’re not sure what’s next for you. Making sure you engage in basic self-care like eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a sleep schedule can help you keep your body and mind functioning well during what can be a high-pressure time. 

Resources for support for recent high school graduates

All of the choices and pressures facing recent high school grads can take a significant toll on a person’s mental health. There are a number of resources and support services available:

• Your high school counselor: High school counselors can often offer both career advice and mental health support.  
• National organizations: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and other mental health organizations are resources for information about mental health and stress as well as ways to connect with people to care. 
• Crisis helplines: If you need immediate support, the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (dial 988) are available. You can also visit our Get Help Now page for additional resources.
• Online therapy: Online therapy through a service like BetterHelp can allow you to connect with a therapist virtually for a lower cost than traditional in-person sessions without insurance. 
  

If you’re not sure where you’ll be in the next few months, it can be complicated to commit to traditional in-person therapy in your area. With online therapy, however, you can communicate with your therapist from anywhere you have an internet connection. This flexibility can be ideal for recent high school grads. 

Plus, research indicates that, in many cases, online therapy can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy when it comes to promoting positive mental health outcomes. For example, one study suggests that symptoms of depression and anxiety—conditions that can be associated with times of upheaval and change in life—were reduced in people who completed a course of online therapy.