For many, earning a high school diploma is a teenage rite of passage – a transition into adulthood and responsibility that happens around 17- or 18-years-old. But it doesn’t have to be – not everyone gets their high school diploma when they’re young.
There are several reasons you might not have earned your high school diploma at 18. You might have chosen to enter the workforce instead of completing your degree. You might have arrived here from another country. Or, you simply didn’t value the educational milestone at the time.
If you’re considering heading back to the classroom as an adult, you probably have a few questions on your mind. In this post, let’s answer “the big three” – Why, where and how? – and offer a few tips for finding the best online high school to finish your diploma.
Why Go Back to School?
This is often the first thing prospective adult students ask themselves. Is it worth going through all the trouble? The short answer is: yes, it is. Here are a few reasons to complete your high school diploma:
- Job prospects: Statistics show that people who earned a secondary degree or higher have an easier time finding employment. This is especially true of professions that require post-secondary education.
- Pay: Of employed people, those with a secondary degree or higher often make more in their profession.
- Personal Value: Education is more than just job training. It can help you learn practical skills and hone critical thinking skills useful in daily life, and give you a sense of pride.
With “why” out of the way, let’s turn our attention to the technical details.
Where Do You Get Your Diploma?
There are several places to earn a diploma as an adult, but an accredited online school is the best option. Online schools are often self-paced and flexible, allowing you to continue with your day job or personal responsibilities as you take courses. Plus, the best online schools offer abundant support in the form of instructors and access to tutoring.
Look for a high school that’s “accredited,” meaning they meet a strict standard of educational quality and can issue credits toward a diploma. If possible, try to find a school that offers 24/7 access to tutoring as well, which will come in handy as you work through challenging course material.
How Do You Earn a High School Diploma as an Adult?
The simple answer here is: You earn enough credits to achieve a diploma. However, the more complicated answer is: you exercise time management skills and make use of all the support you are offered.
High school courses (especially online high school courses) require time management skills to meet deadlines and study for tests. Break out your calendar, schedule or agenda to stay on track in your courses. Subsequently, carve out available time in your day (or week) to dedicate to studying. If you come across concepts that you do not understand, ask lots of questions. Your teachers want to see you succeed and will be happy to help re-explain or clarify concepts.
Hopefully, this article helped underscore the importance of adult education and explain the avenues toward achieving a high school diploma as an adult. Good luck back at school. You can do it!
