In less than two months, the Class of 2025 gets closer to graduation, which is scheduled for May 22 at 8 p.m. Some aren’t certain of their futures beyond high school, which includes myself. On the other hand, there are some ready for college, career work, or gap years. However, I would like to focus on helping fellow 2025 seniors and the upcoming Class of 2026.

Explore Different Career Paths

Maybe you’re indecisive about what career you’d want to pursue in the future or what you would want to do in the next stage of your life. Exploring different career paths by entering different programs or even applying for jobs that are related to certain careers might help boost your imagination. For example, some post-graduates want to pursue business or medical degrees, so they might take on law or medical schools to further their experience into the workforce that supports their path. Some may hesitate to explore the paths if they believe it is time consuming or if they feel self doubt. Others might even take on job-hopping, which isn’t the best way to go when loyalty comes into the mix. But there’s no need to be afraid to explore different career paths if you’re unsure how to set yourself up for the future.

Take a Gap Year

This may be for those who might wish to go to college and may want a break after high school. Even though gap years may have their cons such as losing academic momentum or difficult transitions, they also have their pros. For example, you may end up rediscovering yourself outside of what you might’ve been back in high school. Another instance is gap years are also beneficial for helping adjust into adult life and gaining life experiences much sooner. Maybe even during that time, you could take on a minor job to help you gain some money for future matters while you take a journey through self discovery. I feel that taking a gap year will be helpful for those who wish to take a break from education to gain an opportunity of life improvement.

Study Abroad

While the perks of studying abroad may be that you gain cultural understanding as well as increased independence, there may also be difficulties such as adjusting to home life and different expectations that may be difficult to understand (whether it’s cultural, educational, or even social). This is rather a good benefit for not just college students, but also for individuals who are explorers desiring to gain global perspective or just to help strengthen their career prospects. Studying abroad is a challenge if you’re not ready enough to push yourself in another foreign area, but as long as you’re someone who thrives on challenges or just looking to improve your career and overall adaptability, then this option is for you. Remember, when you plan to study abroad, do the research necessary to ensure your success.

Do the Traditional College/Trade School

Going to college may be the biggest and safest option for post-graduates/pre-graduates to set up for adult life, even though it may come with the price of taking time away to prioritize work over activities you’d wish to do with friends or family. Furthermore, college can force one to go into debt with tuition and student loans that will be hard to pay off unless you work part-time or already have enough money saved. On the other hand, college is a good option since it opens up opportunities to catch onto well-established careers and usually does a good job about being flexible with student needs and their agendas since some offer online classes or give support while also letting students succeed in their fields of study. In short, if you’re one who wishes to take the safer way into your future, then college is the best option to go.

Enter the Military

There are benefits (and downsides) of being in the military. As one who has a relative currently serving in the military as a Marine Corps. member, one can say that being in the military means consistently facing potential danger on a monthly, weekly, even a daily basis (this depends what branch you enter). There is also the factor that the military requires long-term commitment that interferes with your relationships and family life and limited choices for a career after the military. Enlisting into the military is like a double-edged sword, just like every option on this list and beyond, especially when there’s upsides such as establishing relationships with other members, making a difference with a sense of duty, as well as being provided good-quality security after military work. If you’re one who prefers to be entitled to a position or you’re a risktaker with determination, then enlisting in the military is best option.

These steps are big ones to take when considering your future, whether you’re an upcoming or graduating senior. But don’t worry; there are many options–as long as you are satisfied with the process and the results. The number one key is to cherish every step you take in your next chapter.