One question seems to follow students throughout high school: What are your plans after graduation?
For many students, the answer changes over time. Some plan to attend a university or community college. Others hope to enter a trade, join the military or go straight into the workforce. Some dream of traveling or taking time to figure things out. And for others, the honest answer is simply that they are not sure yet.
Freshman year often feels far removed from the future. At that point, graduation seems distant, and students feel they have plenty of time to decide what they want to do.
Freshman Ay’den Jenkins already has a goal in mind.
“I want to go to the NBA draft one day because basketball has always been my passion,” Jenkins said.
He also has a backup plan to study cybersecurity. Jenkins said having options helps him feel confident about his future.
“I am studying about credit, taxes and more stuff that school doesn’t teach you,” he said. “I’m not stressed about the future.”
Freshman Rylie Hathaway also has her plans mapped out.
She hopes to attend college to play volleyball and later pursue a cosmetology degree.
“I’m not stressed about my future because I know everything happens for a reason,” Hathaway said.
By sophomore year, students may still feel they have time to explore their options, but they often begin thinking more seriously about their goals.
Sophomore Laken Garble hopes to work with animals in the future. She plans to attend college before continuing on to veterinary school.
“I plan to get my four years of college done, then go to a vet tech school to lead up to veterinary school,” Garble said. “After that, I want to buy a house and live a steady life.”
Although she has a clear goal, Garble said the responsibilities of adulthood can feel overwhelming.
Sophomore Elijah Smith is considering a very different path.
He hopes to save money to buy an RV and travel the world.
“I’d like to see what kinds of things this world has to offer and enjoy them,” Smith said. “If things don’t work out, I would go into the Air Force or study psychology in college.”
For many students, junior year is when future plans begin to feel more real. With increased coursework, activities and the start of scholarship and college applications, the pressure often grows.
Junior Gianna Roski already knows what she wants to study after graduation.
She has applied to John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University and is researching scholarships such as the Goldie Initiative and the ICSC Foundation Scholarship.
“I plan to go to college for business and real estate,” Roski said. “I want to move to a different state and build a house with my husband.”
Junior Braylen Johnson plans to take a different route by entering the workforce.
He hopes to work for a nearby railroad company and focus on saving money before starting a family.
“I’m not stressed about my future because I have a plan, and I know God will guide me through,” Johnson said.
By the time senior year arrives, the question about life after high school becomes very real.
For some students, the future brings excitement. For others, it can bring nerves or uncertainty.
Senior Jay’veonate Willis plans to enter the workforce rather than attend college.
“I’m wanting to go out into the real world and start working and making money,” Willis said. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t stressed about my future, but I’m taking things slowly and figuring out what I want.”
He hopes to eventually become a truck driver and build a successful career.
Senior Ava Wilson has already committed to Kaskaskia College on a scholarship that covers tuition, books and fees. She plans to complete her general studies before pursuing a career in diagnostic medical sonography.
“After I finish playing soccer, I plan on becoming an ultrasound technician,” Wilson said.
While each student’s path is different, the question about the future remains the same.
In the end, students are simply trying to make the best decisions they can as they move toward the next chapter of their lives.
