Counselors are one of students’ biggest assets when it comes to creating their schedules for their remaining years of high school. Many students think one of the best things they could hear while they are making that schedule is, “You’re ahead in your credits and don’t need to take a full day of classes your senior year,” but is this really a good thing?
Our school offers seniors the option of only taking a few necessary courses and leaving school early or showing up late. If a junior is ahead in their credits enough that they don’t need a full day’s worth to graduate, they are allowed to only sign up for what they need to take. However, if a student is so ahead in their credits they would not need to take any courses their senior year, they are allowed to graduate their junior year.
These are almost the exact same situation, but one looks impressive to colleges, and one is considered lazy and unmotivated. That is a horrible double standard, and one counselors and college recruiters need to stop perpetuating. Students able to only take a few courses their senior year should be held in just as high regard as students who graduate a year early.
Students who are ahead in their credits, no matter how far, have worked hard to get to that point. If a student wasn’t able to get a full 6 credits ahead to graduate a year early, they should not be looked down on; they should be treated just as hardworking as they really are. Leaving a school day early is often treated as lazy, when in reality it means a student took summer courses, weekend courses, or other unrequired courses on their own time to get ahead.
Some students aren’t able to pay for all the courses outside of school that it would take to be a year ahead. Some students don’t have the time to take those kinds of courses. Some students prioritize things like family and jobs over taking unnecessary courses their senior year, and would rather be ahead so they can leave hours early and take care of their own needs.
Schools should not discourage students who work hard and take advantage of time.