Do Not Have a Plan? Here’s How To Start Figuring It Out
If you’re in high school and aren’t confident about what your plans are after graduation, you don’t have to feel alone. A 2025 study by YouScience shows this feeling is common: 72% of students are uncertain about their future after high school, and 70% lack confidence in their post-graduation plans. Despite feeling unsure about what your next steps are, you should feel confident knowing there are plenty of options for you to take after completing high school.
Figuring out what to do after graduation can be as simple as laying out some of the options before you, discussing which ones make the most sense for you with family, friends, and counselors, alongside ensuring you’ve met any necessary qualifications and upcoming deadlines. Even by narrowing down your choices and determining three to five concrete steps you can take right now, you can better understand the next action you need to take towards building your future.
Read on to learn more about some of the options you can take after graduating high school and the steps you can take right now to help prepare for them.
Options After Graduating High School
The first step towards determining what you’d like to do after graduating from high school is to better understand your options. For example, you may be interested in a career that requires a four-year degree, or you may prefer to enter the workforce immediately. Alternatively, you may be unsure what direction you’d like to pursue, and could benefit from starting in a community college with the plan to transfer to a four-year program later down the road, once you’re more confident about your career choice.
Some of the options after graduating high school include:
- Immediately start working: Beginning a career right out of high school or beginning an apprenticeship or internship are also potential options after graduation. Even if you decide not to pursue continued education after high school, you can still apply to a program later on, so don’t feel like you only have one opportunity to go to college after graduating.
- Join the military: There are multiple branches and positions, each with its own career options. Joining the military may require meeting physical fitness requirements and serving a certain number of years, depending on the branch.
What You Can Do Now (Step-By-Step)
Preparing for life after graduation can seem daunting, but breaking it down into simple steps can simplify the process and reduce anxiety. Below are a few steps you can follow
Step 1: Talk to Someone
Talk with your school’s guidance or college counselor to help navigate your options after graduation, since they might help you narrow down your choices to the most appealing. You can also talk with your friends and family if you’re having trouble determining what you want to do.
Step 2: Fill out FAFSA or TASFA
Go ahead and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). These applications can help you determine if you qualify for grants or loans that can help make college programs more affordable. You should fill out either application as early as you can, starting in your senior year.
Step 3: Research Programs and Colleges
Look into various programs that may match your goals post-graduation. Many career paths require earning specific degrees or certifications and can be good indicators of where to look. Alternatively, if you aren’t sure what you’d like to do as a career, liberal arts programs can offer a wider variety of courses to give you a more well-rounded education. Discussing these options with a career counselor can help you determine what programs might work best for you.
Step 4: Check Your GPA
You should look up your grade point average (GPA), which is often used in college applications. Additionally, depending on your GPA, you may qualify for direct admission to Dallas County Promise partner colleges and universities. Utilize the Dallas County Promise GPA match tool to determine your eligibility. If you also meet eligibility requirements for the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition grant, you could have your tuition to these schools covered as well.
Step 5: Review Deadlines
There are multiple deadlines you’ll need to account for if you plan on continuing your education after high school, including deadlines for FAFSA or TAFSA, submitting your college program application, and determining whether to enroll. Check out the dates and mark them on your calendar so you don’t accidentally fall behind and miss an important window.
Reduce Stress and Prepare for Graduation Now
Don’t let the stress of picking what to do after finishing high school hold you back from making a choice. Take advantage of the resources you have available by looking into what programs interest you and how you can qualify for them now, before deadlines start approaching. Also consider whether you qualify for the Dallas County Promise last-dollar tuition grant, which can help make select schools more affordable and reduce anxiety about determining your next step after graduation.
The Dallas County Promise team is here to help! Contact us at [email protected]
