Early graduation can be a big choice for some seniors, and the process takes time and thought. If you’re a junior deciding to graduate early your senior year, you will have to make the decision before May 25th of your junior year. Early graduation means you’ll have just one semester of senior year. With enough credits, that could mean you will have two English classes in one semester. Although having one semester left seems like a good idea, you should take into consideration that you’ll be out of school in December. Having a plan for after high school is suggested, and you will have to fill out a form and have a meeting with the principal.

ohanna Schober, a current early graduate at GCHS, thought about the rest of her high school career when she decided on early graduation. “Honestly, my junior year, I had all of my credits, and I felt that there wasn’t really anything else that I could take that would kind of fulfill my high school curriculum, so I just decided that it’s probably best if I graduate and start working and start making a little bit more money,” Schober said.

Senior Motasim Syed said “I’m trying to go to a four year university after high school, so this semester off, I’m graduating early. I’m trying to take ‘gen ed’ classes so I can get ahead in college and just graduate early from college.”

Having a five month start on your ‘adult life’ after high school can be scary for some, but just know there are plenty of others who are willing to talk about it, as well as Grayslake Central staff that are there for you to see you succeed. The best advice you’ll hear during the process is “have a plan.” Having a general idea of how you can better yourself and pursue your life’s goal is key to a successful early graduation plan. What you can do for yourself once this chunk of time taken by school is now free to fill with something else is limitless. Here are some ideas of how to use that time given by an early graduation plan!