Walimbe 1

Sanika Walimbe

Mr. Crean

Beginning Composition

September 29 2015

Missing Opportunities

Kofi Annan once said “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the

premise of progress on every society, in every family.” In other words, for students to be

powerful in the modern world, they must take in as much education as possible. Attaining an

ideal university education, and possibly continuing on to graduate school allows each person to

achieve their full potential in acquiring knowledge and being best prepared to launch themselves

into successful careers. Students at Vista del Lago High School should take as many courses as

possible to get accepted into that ideal university or college that they strive for. Granted, some

students feel like they are ready to pursue their goals before senior year. Though their motivation

is commendable, these students are potentially limiting themselves in terms of how far they can

go in their academic career​, y​oung scholars at Vista del Lago High School, shouldn’t be allowed

to graduate ​before senior year. Currently, there is a policy that if a high schooler meets the FUSD

graduation requirements, they can graduate after junior year. Graduating early should not be

allowed because it limits students to being positive leaders on campus and preparing for their

aspiring careers. Changing this policy would ensure smarter students and them getting the

“senior” experience.
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One reason why students shouldn’t be permitted to graduate ​before senior year is because

then, it would result in less knowledgeable students that are not reaching their full potential. Due

to the many courses Vista del Lago offers, staying one more year and taking eight more classes

would make anyone better equipped to handle the academic rigor of college. Not to mention, it

would look great on college applications because it shows students are dedicated to going above

and beyond, wanting to take in as much information as possible to prepare for them for college

or university and their careers. For example, if a student is pursuing a job in the medical field,

they could take a human anatomy elective. Or, if someone wants to become an engineer, they

could take a computer science course. By doing this, they are well prepared and know what they

can expect in college. “Admission officials tend to scrutinize early grad applications even more

closely than the typical candidate's​,​” says Sally Rubenstone, who wrote an article on early

graduation. However, some early graduates believe that by doing community college for two

years, they will be able to continue on to earn a degree from a university. Understandable how

they would think that, yet only 25% of community college applicants actually end up

successfully transferring to a 4-year college to get their degree​. With that being said, there is a

high chance that students might not even get into a 4-year college. Do you think students should

take that chance? ​Perhaps, instead of graduating after junior year, you could graduate during

senior mid-term and directly go to a 4-year college. This compromise would ensure students

would still graduate early and still get a good education.

Another reason why graduating after right junior year is unwise is because students won’t

be getting the full high school “senior year” experience. Leaving after junior year, students are
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missing out on many opportunities to create memories with their friends and being positive

leaders on campus. By staying, students can experience new clubs and try new activities without

the pressure of SAT’s or important tests, because they are practically set for the next 4 years in

college. Students can attend social events such as Prom, Senior Ball, Senior Sunrise etc... Plus,

seniors can be helpful leaders on campus, making the school a better place, making the

community a better place. They can help new freshman, staff, the campus and even start their

own clubs, which once again, looks fabulous on college applications. In fact, it sets a good

reputation for Vista to have active seniors working for the better. Some may argue that high

school experiences are irrelevant, and that moving on to college is more important. Though their

arguments are valid, wouldn’t they want to have good memories of high school? To have

memories that will last forever are special; they wouldn’t want it to be cramming and

overworking yourself to fulfill all the graduation requirements and deal with the SAT. When

student look back at those memories. they will regret graduating before senior year and wish they

would’ve done it later. They will think about all opportunities they missed by their mistake. All

the more reason why students should graduate in the midterm of senior year. They can create

memories and be good influences, while still graduating early.

In conclusion, sometimes you need to be patient to go forward. Students completing their

senior year will stand out among their peers and be better prepared for the future. In addition,

they will also get the “senior year” experience. If this policy doesn’t change, the result will be

unprepared students who could be doing achieving greater. Do we, as a generation want this?

No, we don’t. A local senior claims, “​It is the closest thing to a trial run that one will ever
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receive. To skip the trial run and begin the actual game is an unnecessary gamble. To lose would

have devastating results.” Instead of rushing into skipping senior year and going off to college,

stay back and make the most of your high school senior year. Having smarter, prepared and more

experienced students, the whole community can become a better place. To remove this ludicrous

rule, students must demand their local high school board or take it to their Principal for change.

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Works Cited

"Community College FAQ's." ​Teacher's College​. Community College Research Center, n.d.

Web. 28 Sept. 2015.

"Kofi Annan Quote." ​BrainyQuote.​ Xplore, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Loughman, Rachel. "Is Early Graduation a Good Idea? No." ​Teen Life RSS.​ The Press

Democrat, 21 May 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.

Rubenstone, Sally. "Early Graduation - Ask The Dean." ​Ask The Dean​. College Confidential,

31 Oct. 2002. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.