High school is often seen as a pivotal point in a person’s life, a time when teenagers are supposed to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their lives. However, the reality is that high school is just a small part of a person’s life, and it is not fair to claim that it should determine their entire future.

One of the main problems with relying on high school to determine a person’s future is that it puts a lot of pressure on young people to succeed. This can lead to unhealthy levels of stress and anxiety, and having too intense of a focus on grades and test scores rather than on learning real-life skills and personal growth. It also creates a false belief that if someone doesn’t excel in high school, they are somehow “failures,” which is simply not true.

In an article from the Washington Post, Jonnelle Marte writes that “Researchers from the University of Miami found that a person’s grade-point average in high school not only indicates the person’s chances of getting into college and whether he or she will finish college or graduate school.” Marte goes on to say that a student’s GPA has a grave effect on their income and ability to find jobs as adults.  

Another issue with letting high school determine a person’s future is that it ignores the fact that people change and grow over time. Just because someone may not be sure what they want to do with their life at the end of high school does not mean that they won’t find their passion later on. By putting so much emphasis on high school, it risks stifling a person’s potential and creativity.

In addition, it is not fair to determine one’s whole future when they are at the most vulnerable stage of their life. Because the teenage brain is not fully developed, teenagers are more prone to making bad decisions, which can leave a lasting effect, possibly affecting their future plans. In an article posted by The Conversation, James McCue states that “A teen’s developing brain places them at greater risk of being reactive in their decision-making, and less able to consider the consequences of their choices.” For this reason, young people should not be left to carry the burden of determining their futures at such a young and vulnerable age.

Ultimately, high school should be viewed as just one step on a person’s journey, not the end-all and be-all of their future. It is important to encourage young people to explore their interests and passions, to take risks and make mistakes, and to keep an open mind about what the future may hold. By focusing on the present and embracing all that life has to offer, we can create a brighter and more fulfilling future for ourselves and others.