As high school seniors are getting ready to graduate, they are looking back on all of the years of hard work and dedication that it took to meet all the academic requirements. By the time that senior year comes, many students have completed all necessary classes and all required credits to graduate. So, why should they be forced to take extra classes if they are already going to graduate and on track?
This question is a concern for students who feel they should have the freedom to use their final year of high school to prepare for life after graduation. This involves pursuing college, getting jobs, or even taking time off to find themselves. Forcing seniors to take additional classes could create stress, become unmotivated, and limit their ability to focus on their future goals. It is important to consider if adding extra classes would benefit students or if it would just add to the pressure they are already challenged with.
Unnecessary Added Stress and Pressure
High school can be extremely stressful. Between academic pressures, extracurricular activities, their social life, and preparing for life after graduation, there is no room for extra stress. Forcing students in their senior year who have already completed all the graduation requirements to take extra classes creates more pressure and the feeling of being overwhelmed. This could even affect their mental health. High schools should encourage students to further their futures instead of the burden of unnecessary requirements.
Lack of Motivation for Extra Classes
Another problem is that students who have already fulfilled all graduation requirements may not be motivated enough to take extra classes. For many of us, school is already challenging enough. After completing years of school, we are ready to move on to the next part of our lives. Adding extra classes feels like a waste of time, especially if students are not interested in any of the courses offered. When students are not motivated, their desire to learn decreases. Students who are forced to take classes that they are not interested in probably would not do their best work. Both of these can lead to a decrease in our hard-earned GPA. It is possible that these extra classes could make seniors feel frustrated with education as a whole.
Students Focusing on the Future
If students have already earned all of the credits they need to graduate, they should be given the freedom to focus on their future goals. Many seniors use their last year of high school to prepare for college applications, apply for jobs, or get internships, which can influence their future success. Extra classes can waste seniors’ time as they could focus on upcoming college decisions, jobs, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, seniors should not be forced to take extra classes once they have completed their graduation requirements. High school should be a time when students are given the opportunity to focus on their futures and find out what interests them. Extra classes can lead to unnecessary stress, being unmotivated, and taking away valuable preparation time for our futures. We deserve the freedom to decide how we spend our last year of high school after all our dedication and hard work.
