Failing High School, Yet Accepted to College
How is this even possible? Let me inform you that this is more common than folks like to think. You’ve heard of Senioritis before, I hope. Well, that isn’t this. This is school refusal, truancy, debilitating anxiety, and blaring signs that this young person is not only needing a break from school in general, they are clueless as to the ongoing work that will be required once they step foot on a college campus. We aren’t setting them up to be successful as a college student if we’re chasing them down at the end of their senior year to complete requirements to get their high school diploma.
I’m writing about this now, mid-May, as a lot of high school graduations are on the horizon. So, you’ve got schools that are bending over backwards to help a young person get their diploma in hand, families who are quite literally dragging their child across the finish line, and eager college campuses for this person to show up (and pay) in the fall. But what about this young person? Have we stopped to really do a pulse check on what they want and need? Are we all in denial about the warning signs this student is exhibiting? Colleges do not have a savior complex, nor do they believe a student like this would be “fixed” by being on campus. Let’s open our eyes wide to what’s unfolding right in front of us.
Yes, they got accepted to college. All that means is sometime between October and January they shared their current GPA with some institutions, and based on what they read the student was identified as being college capable on their campus. Congrats! Since they hit submit on that application though, this student has checked out. Colleges will be understanding in helping a young person defer. They still want them to be a paying attendee, but without evidence of high school completion, that admission is null and void. So, what do we do? How do we help this student who is clearly begging for an academic intervention?
The simple answer is “we don’t.” They are telling us with their actions that they are over school. College is an optional experience for more education. They aren’t suddenly going to be excited to go to class independently, study independently, and initiating their learning experience when their end of high school was equivalent to a dumpster fire. Not completing high school is a natural consequence that impacts their future. If they are motivated to go to college, they’ll eventually lock it up and complete school. Will it require getting a GED instead, possibly. Might it happen in three months or five years, yes to both. Regardless of whether they can rally, the other important piece to consider is that we are over functioning for these students. School administrators, parents, providers, etc. - it takes effort to not go to school and complete schoolwork with the finish line to high school in sight. The focus for helping this young person would be on their health and wellbeing, not on their academic future. College isn’t going anywhere. If they ever find the joy in learning again, then that will be the time for them to consider higher education.
For now, let’s focus on getting this young person the help they need, even if that means leaving high school behind right in this moment and return to complete at a future time.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
