Dropping out of school in year 12, so close to the end, is a colossal decision. Its consequences can make or break one’s life. Thus, it’s extremely crucial to account for all the available options and consequences before your child takes the leap. Here’s a guide to help students and parents decide wisely.  

Reasons Why Students Dropout of School

  • Academic Failure Often the biggest reason for dropouts is falling grades in some or all subjects. Failing a subject is the biggest demotivator that affects the students. In addition, high-school students have to deal with peer ridicule and teacher criticism. While most students bounce back with help of their parents, tutors or school teachers, some falter and drop out.
  • Disinterest Many students feel they aren’t made up for the school-university education-job-white picket fence trajectory. This could be due to a lack of interest in a specific subject or the whole school education system. They might despise the evaluation procedure or might prefer learning through different means.
  • Unreasonable Expectations Sometimes a high school dropout may misjudge the load of work in their final years at school. Especially with all the classwork, tests, projects, assignments and final exams. The stress of year 12 with ATAR on the horizon might be too much to handle for many students. Students feel overwhelmed with all the workload and crack under the pressure.
  • Physical or Mental Issues Students with a disability, a chronic disease, a history of anxiety disorder or depression might not cope as well with high school as their peers. It is already a task to handle one’s health setbacks and symptoms. Add in the exhausting schedule, classwork, homework and looming final exams, and the pressure is off the roof. The stress of high school also exacerbates symptoms of illnesses and makes it harder to survive school.
  • Financial Issues Often students coming from financially struggling families find it hard to adjust to school. There are public schools that make premier education affordable for all. Yet, not all students below can access them due to various reasons. For instance, sometimes students drop out of school to get a full-time job and sustain their families. If they do join a school, they are often forced to pick a part-time job after school or handle house chores. This hardly leaves any time to study which adversely affects their results. School graduation rates are generally lower in families below the poverty line, while school dropout rates tend to remain high.

Disadvantages of Dropping Out of High School

  • Job Opportunities and Salaries One in four high school students in Australia drops out of school. Their future remains quite bleak due to the lack of job prospects without a school diploma. The majority of these dropouts are employed in blue-collar jobs that offer low wages, physical labour, and long & odd working hours. Students are employed as labourers, retail workers, restaurant servers, housekeepers, cashiers etc. These manual labour jobs usually cause long-term harm to our physical & mental health. Studies suggest that people from such occupations are more prone to chronic diseases, in-patient hospital stays and hefty medical costs. Moreover, the financial strain of a low paying job with erratic hours and overtime is taxing. People resort to working multiple jobs to cover their living expenses. A large majority of these workers are forced to live below the poverty line.
  • Practical Skills School might seem quite frivolous and exam-focused to some students. While not every class imparts practical knowledge, the school does dispense real-world skills. All the rules & regulations, schedules, uniforms, assignments, tests, and class partners play a significant role in the personal growth of students. Students acquire innumerable life skills at each educational level. They learn how to be disciplined, organised, adhere to deadlines, and communicate effectively.
  • Invaluable Experiences School paves the way for special experiences that are hard to find once one enters adulthood. It provides ample time for students to explore their personality traits, interests, skills and hobbies. The guidance of a teacher is incomparable to any other form of learning. The school clubs and extracurricular activities make students adept at different skills. They get a chance to try & learn new things and get to know a wide variety of people. Moreover, the chance to make mistakes and start over is unique to school life.  As an adult one seldom gets a chance to start anew every day. Students also become resilient and learn indispensable social skills. School moulds individuals into productive and eminent members of society.
  • Importance of Learning Besides the professional advantages of staying in school, the biggest benefit is learning itself. It’s important to form an intellectual stance to live a happy and successful life. Getting the educational opportunities to gain this knowledge is a privilege. Students get to learn about the world around them and how it works. From the landscape & climate of the world to historical wars, political ideologies, society and culture, one gets a taste of it all at school. Thus, a highschool dropout can’t overlook the school’s role in shaping students into wise adults.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Making The Decision

  • Help your child gain a perspective of the life and career they aspire to have. Having a set goal is the biggest motivator to accomplish any task. It can inspire them to pursue higher academic achievements and become school graduates.
  • A 5 year, 10 years and 20-year plan can help students envision their life ahead. This also provides them with a view of the future consequences of their current actions. It will teach them accountability for their actions.
  • Provide your child with a list of pros and cons of dropping out of high school. Help them evaluate the cost of dropping out. This can keep them hooked through high school to final educational attainment.
  • One can hire extra help to lessen some of the academic burdens off students. Especially, if your child’s grades are falling. A tutor can help them understand the coursework, clarify their doubts, and prepare for exams. Tutors can boost a student’s academic performance.
  • For children with physical or mental disabilities, parents can opt for home-schooling with private tutors. This will allow students to select their own subjects and enjoy one-on-one learning.
  • If your child isn’t interested in further academic studies, provide them with the alternative of a vocational institute right after school. Look for a certificate degree or a diploma course at your local TAFE for technical studies.
  • Sit with a career or school counsellor and help your child explore all the available options. Aptitude and interest tests can help them figure out their professional goals.

While school is not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s still worth a shot to finish rather than leaving it midway. One can seek professional help to curb their disinterest or failure. Completing high school is a key milestone in life. One must account for all the consequences and plan well before taking the plunge. Choose wisely! Â