Helping Your Teen Understand Their Post-School Options


A young person developing into maturity is often beset by many anxieties and insecurities. Even if they’re doing well in school and their hobbies, this can be so. When school draws to a close, they will be expected to understand which direction they would like to go in. Of course, students are now expected to stay in some form of compulsory education or training up to the age of 18, and from there they can expect to be given free choice. That being said, it can be hard to know exactly what you wish to learn or hope to achieve at this young age. In fact, many in their mid-twenties or even thirties can struggle with this. This is why as a parent, helping your teen understand their post-schooling options can be such a constructive process. It’s this process that we aim to help you manage, potentially giving you the tools to move forward to the best result.

Remain Encouraging
Whatever they choose, encourage them. If they are taking an interest in their future, encourage them. If they simply want to check something out through curiosity, encourage them. Having someone on your side can be important when considering major life decisions. Do not make them feel like something is out of the question, only that they can aim for it if they try. Also, do not be afraid to help texture their understanding. Show them the benefits of private sixth form college, or if they wish to enter a specialism, just what that might take. This can spark the fires of their inspiration thoroughly.

Take Them To Open Days
Take them to the open days of their chosen place. Perhaps it might be a placement, or a school, or a sixth form, or a specialised college. When they have a chance to look around and take a tour through some of these institutions, they can start to see what life might be like there, and this can help them come to some form of concrete decision, Additionally, remaining proactive about this can help them lose some of the fear they might have held in the first instance.

Nurture Interests
Nurture their interests while in school. Perhaps this can lead to something. Maybe attending the drama club, jazz band, or taking extracurricular activities can lead to something positive after school, or give them a practice they may wish to follow. For example, initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh are known to differentiate go-getters, and this may help them sign up for or potentially even attend better placements at the end of their final term. Additionally, it might be that this could help them into a competitive school, or even score them work experience that could potentially turn into a real job after compulsory education has taken place.

With this advice, you’re sure to help your teen understand their post-schooling options.