The Pros and Cons of Graduating High School Early

More and more young people are finishing high school early, sometimes in just three years instead of the usual four. These days, there are many ways to earn a high school diploma, so it’s not surprising that some students want to do things differently.

There are lots of reasons why someone might want to graduate early. Some want to start learning a trade or join the military as soon as they can. According to Jody Fleming, Ph.D., a professor and course developer, other common reasons include:

• Earning an income sooner
• Pursuing athletic opportunities
• Preparing for college sooner
• Achieving personal goals
• Taking care of family
• Wanting more time to consider different opportunities

While there is no recent data on this trend, common belief is that there are more high schoolers graduating early than ever before. In 2004, when the National Center for Education Statistics last reported on early graduation rates, only about 3% of high schoolers did so.

With increases in school choice and an abundance of virtual options, it makes sense that students are choosing this path. 

There are also disadvantages of graduating high school early, which we will explore more in depth later in this article. Here’s just a few cons:

• Heavier academic workload or summer school
• Loneliness due to leaving school before friends
• Financial stress of entering the workforce sooner

Like anything, there are pros and cons to taking a nontraditional path to your diploma.

Academic Benefits of Early Graduation

You may be wondering: Do colleges care if you graduate early from high school? The answer: It depends. Some colleges offer early college programs, but the main academic benefit to speeding up your education is starting college sooner. Students who graduate early can get started on their college degree or trade program before their peers.

College Readiness

Early grads may or may not be ready for college. Some students are academically ahead of their peers and are able to get through their coursework quickly. Others are in an alternative program that allows them to work faster than their peers. It really depends on the student whether they are ready for college or not. 

Taking college courses while you are still in high school is a good way to help you prepare for college. You can do this through a dual enrollment program with your local community college or other special programs that may be offered by your school. Be sure to talk to your school counselor if this is something you are interested in. 

Increased Workload

While graduating early is generally considered to be a positive thing, it doesn’t come without hard work and determination. Students may have to take summer classes or a heavier course load to make their early graduation dreams a reality.

Taking Courses Online

You may be able to take additional classes at your traditional high school, but you can also explore other options, such as online courses. The American Academy (TAA) offers a variety of individual courses that you can take any time of year. Talk to your school counselor before enrolling to ensure the courses you take with TAA will transfer to your high school.

You can also earn your high school diploma online at TAA. Courses start every business day, and you can work through them at your own pace, so if you finish before the course deadline, you can move onto the next one without delay.

Career Opportunities for Early Graduates

Finishing high school early can help you start working towards a career sooner. You will have your diploma before most people your age, so you can apply for jobs that need a high school diploma earlier. There aren’t specific jobs that only want early graduates, but putting this on your resume can show employers that you are hardworking and motivated.

Here are a few other benefits that early graduation may have on your career:

• Enter the workforce and start earning an income sooner
• Start contributing to retirement early
• Qualify for promotions faster than peers of the same age
  
  

Potential Challenges

Depending on how old you are when you graduate, you may not be able to start working full time right away due to child labor laws. If you are younger than 16, you won’t be able to work full-time hours, and if you’re under 18, there are certain jobs that you can’t work due to the risk. These jobs include things like: 

• Meat processing and slicing
• Roofing
• Driving
• Demolition
• Mining

Additionally, starting work earlier means you’ll have some new responsibilities, like paying taxes and managing expenses such as transportation and work clothes. These are normal parts of adult life and can help you learn valuable skills in budgeting and managing your money.

Social Challenges and Peer Relationships

Your school years are when you build some of the strongest friendships you’ll ever have, so it makes sense if you are wondering how leaving school before your friends will affect your social life. There are two ways to think about how your social life will change:

• During School: While you’re still finishing high school, you may need to reduce your social and extracurricular activities to make time for academics.
• After Graduation: Once you graduate, you'll move on from your peers. While you can still maintain friendships from school, you won't be with your friends every day, and you won't be able to participate in school activities like sports or creative arts.

Don’t worry too much—You can navigate changes in your relationships by being more intentional with your friends. You won’t have built-in activities, so you’ll need to schedule time to hang out with them outside of school. Here are a few ideas:

• Have lunch together on the weekend
• Go for a walk or run together in the evening
• Host a board game night
• Run errands together
• Explore a local park or museum together

Graduating from high school can be challenging socially. When you aren’t around your peers for six hours a day, you can begin to feel isolated. And if you go straight to college or a job after graduating, you may be around people who are older or in different life stages than you.

While it may seem scary at first, this is fertile soil for new friendships. There is a lot to learn from people who are older than you. You may be able to find a mentor who can help you adjust to life after high school and provide wisdom and encouragement on your journey. 

Mental Health Considerations

Graduation, whether it’s early or on-time, often has an impact on mental health. Leaving high school and stepping into college, a career, or the military is a big transition full of uncertainty, which can cause anxiety and depression. 

Graduates can lose their routine, they may not  see their friends as often, and their lives can start to change significantly. But there is also so much to gain during this exciting time in life. 

In order to maintain your mental well-being, consider these tips from Child & Adolescent Health Specialists, P.C.:

• Focus on your overall health: Eat right, get enough sleep, and stay active to feel energized and reduce stress.
• Know what resources are available: If you’re heading to college, check to see what mental health resources are available on campus. If you’re going straight to the workforce or the military, check with your HR department to see what mental health services are included with your benefits package. 
• Seek help when you need it: If you’re feeling down, there is no shame in reaching out to someone who can help. Friends and family can often provide comfort and support, but do not hesitate to seek out help from a mental health professional.

Start focusing on your mental health now, even if you don’t think it’s an issue. Building healthy habits and a support system while you are in a good headspace will help you when you are struggling with something like anxiety or depression. You’ll have your habits and community to fall back on instead of having to try and build them when you’re feeling down.

Personal Growth and Development Opportunities

Some early grads like to take a gap year before they head to college or join the workforce. There are gap year programs designed for students like this, but people may forge their own paths as well. Here are some ways graduates use their extra time out of school to develop personally: 

• Travel
• Volunteerism
• Personal projects

Graduating early is also an act of personal growth and development itself. It can provide you with an amazing sense of accomplishment and prove to yourself that you can do hard things. Choosing to take on a challenge like this at a young age helps foster independence, resilience, and a proactive approach to life’s challenges. 

Financial Considerations of Graduating Early

Graduating from high school early can help you start working and earning money before most other people your age. You might also be able to get special scholarships or rewards for finishing school early. These benefits can help you save money, learn new skills, and get ready for your future. If you’re thinking about graduating early, it’s a good idea to look into what financial help or opportunities are available to you.

Early Graduation Scholarships

Do a quick Google search or check with your school counselor to see if there are any colleges you are interested in that offer early graduation scholarships. You may also be able to find external scholarships (offered by organizations that are not the college) as well.

Is Graduating High School Early Right for You?

At this point, you may be wondering: Is graduating high school early worth it? Only you can answer this question, and you’ll have to determine if the benefits of graduating high school early outweigh the disadvantages.

There are lots of things to consider, and it’s a highly personal choice. You’ll have to take your classes on an accelerated schedule or sacrifice your summer breaks in order to pull it off. 

Consider your goals for your future before making a decision, and speak with your school counselor to determine whether early graduation aligns with your goals. It may be a good opportunity for you. Just remember to practice healthy habits and establish a strong support system to help you achieve your goal.

If you’re still wondering how to graduate high school early, check out our blog for some helpful insights. If you use these tips, you should be able to make an informed, confident decision for your future.