Monday, June 17, 2013

What to do after High School?: Teach Yourself

I went back and forth with the title of this entry. I was torn between Learn and Independent Study. Well neither one of them won, but I think this title incorporates both of them very nicely. Throughout this "What to do after High School?" series, I aim share with all soon to be grads of both high school and college that you have many options to choose from. Sometimes you may want to take the road less traveled but you don't know where to start. Moving on to the topic of today: Teaching Yourself! Did you have a favorite subject in school? Did you love going to a specific class everyday? Is there a subject that you wanted to explore more, but couldn't in school? Have you always found a specific topic or subject interesting? Well now is your time to learn all about it. You graduated. You may or may not go to college. You probably work or have your own business. Now you can learn everything you have ever wanted to know about whatever subject or topic you like. Write yourself lesson plans. Personalize your learning experience however you like. Go to your local library, bookstore, even thrift store and find books on the subject matter that you are studying. Teach yourself, teach yourself everything about said subject that you want to know. Let's say you've been interested in gardening, but you always had to sit in a classroom to actually learn about gardening. Now you can go to the library, bookstore, outside and learn all about plants, flowers, soil, etc. If this was a topic I was into, I would go to the gardening section of Lowe's or Walmart and even a flower shop to not only admire but to take notes. I would spend lots of time in nature. There are plenty of books on whatever topic that gets your blood pumping on the internet, so the internet is always an option for learning. My point is: never stop learning and learn about what you love. You could use your knowledge to advance in your chosen career. Don't forget your writing utensils and notepads or just use electronic note taking. 
Thursday, May 23, 2013

What to do after High School?: Service

Have you ever wanted to just pack up your valuables and travel to a foreign place? Can't wait to get out of your parents home? Always been interested in something bigger than yourself? Love meeting new people? Tired of reading about a specific culture in a book or watching snippets on tv? Have you always wanted to work closely with the community?

I know those are a lot of questions, but I hope you at least answered just one with a YES!  Most people want to travel, either for leisure or service. I'm going to talk about service today though.

Most people aren't aware of this option because it really isn't advertised as much. Either doing service in your country or in another continent, it's a awarding experience. I recently graduated from college, April 27, 2013, and I had some aversions to get right back in school because of my curious mind that lead me to believe that getting a Master's is not for me for money and time reasons at this current moment. I also always had this tingle in my gut to get out and explore, go on an adventure, experience life on my own terms. I applied to City Year, a school-based volunteer program where young adults between the ages of 17-24 help public schools in any way they can in specific areas across the United States and two international location. I honestly forgot how I came across it, I think it was through the AmeriCorp website. I think I was looking for a purposeful alternative that would allow me to live in a different scene, meet new people, and motivate and assist people to achieve their highest potential no matter what obstacles they are faced with. There are other reasons but those I listed are the most important ones to me. After two interviews that I was freaking out about, I'm now waiting until May 30th or a little after for them to decide if they will offer me the position in the organization and location I chose. I'm excited, nervous, and anxious. While waiting, I'm enjoying my summer. I'm not going to apply for any job until after I hear from them because I don't want to send any confusing messages to the universe that I'm not serious about wanting this opportunity in my life. I do have a plan to look for jobs afterwards but not before.

I think that participating in a service-based program like City Year, Teach America, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, etc. can be rewarding because not only can you be able to be independent in all meanings of the word, you also can make new friends (maybe even lifelong friends), engage in national and community service, travel, gain real-world experience that can help you in what ever job or career you choose. Look into this if you are interested, have questions, got excited reading this but don't think you will have support, or just ready to get out there. Nothing is impossible, anything is possible.

No one really enjoys just lazing around doing nothing. It may feel good at times, but if it's all the time, boredom seeps in. I believe everyone wants to do something and plus our bodies were made to move.

Check this link out for a list of volunteer/service programs: http://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/careers/documents/YearofServiceProgramsListing.pdf

Check out City Year: http://www.cityyear.org/CityYear/Home_New_2011/Home_A_2011.aspx

Check out AmeriCorps: http://www.nationalservice.gov/
Wednesday, May 22, 2013

What to do after High School: Reintroduction to series

I started this series back in 2011! Didn't really keep up with it because I was too busy living my post-high school grad life. I wanted to and still want to continue with this blog and this series because I think it's important for current high schoolers and recent high schools grads to know that they have more than one option for their future. I was so excited to start this project that I jumped head in first without a proper introduction. So I'm reintroducing this in a proper way.

I'd say the number one thing to do after high school is to continue your education. There are a million roads to take, but all of them should and unmistakably involves education. Whether sitting in a classroom, emailing a professor on an online course, reading in the public library about a subject that intrigues you, or traveling to another country volunteering for a cause... all of these include education. Education can be in the traditional sense or it can be non-traditional. Stay tuned for more posts in this series. 
 

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