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Here are 5 things to learn before you graduate from homeschool high school.

5 Things to Learn before You Graduate from Homeschool High School

This is graduation season for a bunch of homeschoolers that I love well- and lots I’ve never met. In honor of graduation, here’s a classic post from our summer’s intern, Kyle, (who is now in graduate school).

I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned with those who are a few years behind me. This is for you, homeschool high-schoolers: five simple lessons you should learn before graduating, whether you’re going on to college or to a career. Hopefully you will learn a lot more than this, but these are the lessons that were most important to me.

Me all ready to graduate from high school

5. Learn how to have fun. Please, please, don’t fall for the lie that homeschoolers don’t know how to have fun. If that’s true, I must not really be a homeschooler. Get out of the house and do something that interests you. Think outside the box and find a cool hobby like rock climbing or kayaking. You have a lot of freedom in high school, so make the most of it. You’re sure to encounter lots of stress in the coming years. Finding an activity that helps you unwind now will be a great benefit to you in the future.

4. Learn how to discipline yourself. The first big change after high school is responsibility. You probably won’t have a parent breathing down your neck every moment making sure you research that paper, or email your boss, or pay the bills on time.Self-discipline is HUGE. Get some practice with following a personal budget.
If you’re going to college, be sure to form good study habits. This is just part of being an adult. Maybe not the most fun part, but still a necessary part.

3. Learn who your real friends are. Friendships are another important aspect of life. You can’t go it alone, so it’s important to have a few close friends that will encourage you, challenge you, and make you laugh. It’s natural for friends to come and go, so when you come to a transition in your life, it may be helpful to consider which friends you want to keep and which ones you can let go. If you’re dating someone, reevaluate that relationship. Maybe it’stime to go your separate ways . . . or maybe not. Make an effort to stay connected to your closest friends. Take advantage of email, cell phones, social networks, even hand-written letters. At the same time, don’t be discouraged if you lose touch with someone. You’ll meet lots of other people and make new friends to replace the old.

2. Learn who you are. It’s not unusual to experience an identity crisis when you move to a new environment. That’s why it’s important to have a solid understanding of your identity before you move out. Take some time to examine your strengths and weaknesses as well as your passions and goals. You may want to jot down a few. Then ask for input from those who know you best. See how their thoughts line up with your own. You should expect some things to change: style, personal preferences, and attitudes toward specific issues, but you should also be able to find characteristics that make you who you are, and who you really are will never change. You may be an encourager, a thinker, or a leader. You’re a unique individual, and it’s important to keep in touch with your uniqueness.

1. Learn what it means to be a Christian. I can’t skip over this point. You can’t wait until after high school to get serious about your faith. You have to decide now if you will live for God. Many students who are raised in the church but go away for college end up leaving their faith. Start connecting with your peers on a spiritual level. If
you don’t have many Christian friends, get to know some people in your church or homeschool community. Although you may be tired of hearing this: GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY DOESN’T CUT IT. The best habit you can form is reading your Bible first thing every day. If you neglect God, you might as well forget everything else I said in this post. If you remember him, “then the Lord your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 30:9a)

Learn these lessons well, and no matter what your grades are, you should do pretty darn well in the school of life.

One way to prepare for life is to take an Apologetics course. 7Sisters and Good Answers Ministries have teamed to bring you a FREE, no-preparation-needed, Apologetics curriculum. All voice-over pdfs that your teens (and you) can sit back and enjoy. Our local teens have loved the course! Download yours.