by Holly Rogers

Created on: November 16, 2009

Graduating high school is a time of great excitement, but also one of uncertainty and insecurity for many teenagers. Up until that point in their lives, most teenagers have only known the routine of attending school, always with the guidance of their parents and teachers. Few have had the opportunity to really experience life beyond education and therefore this transitional period is often one of the most challenging in any individual's life.

The path a teenager chooses to take beyond high school can differ greatly from one individual to the next. For some, the transition may be less intimidating, as they may simply choose to continue with education at a local college, continuing to remain at home and with the support of their family. However these days it is quite common for a teenager to move away from home for college, in order to have the best education opportunities for their chosen career path. If this is the case, the individual is likely to be experiencing a combination of severe nerves and bubbling excitement. The thought of independence is of course appealing to most, and few teenagers ever stop to consider exactly how drastic this change will be compared to the life they had previously been leading.

In order to make this a smooth, healthy transition, it is important to reassure your grown up child that you are still there for them and that you understand this will be a challenging time in their lives. It is vital you provide them support, both emotionally and physically, by helping them prepare all they need for the big move. They are unlikely to have considered all the necessary steps to gain their full independence, so it is important to take time to explain these aspects to them, but ensuring you do this in a supportive manner, and not a negative way. The best thing you can do is provide you teenager with reassurance and guidance, but letting them know they are capable of the big changes and will adjust to their independence.

For others who do not plan to go to college, the transition can also be difficult in finding employment in the local area. It can sometimes be challenging to find employment if you have no prior experience. This is especially difficult at the end of the school year when so many other teenagers are also on the hunt for either full time or part time employment. It is important to understand this may take your teenager some time and you will need to support their efforts and help them learn the basics of interviewing, presentation and organisation to give them the best chance at securing the job they hope for. Provide your teenager with necessary resources and do not nag them to hurry if they find the initial job seeking process a struggle. Sometimes a month or two break between school and the next stage in life is what they need. After all, 12 or more years of schooling is a big feat.

During the early transitional stages after graduation, it is not uncommon for a teenager to experience home sickness, anxiety and even depression when adjusting to their new independance and lifestyle changes. It is important they know who to contact to help them through this stage, whether it be yourself as a parent, other family members, a career counsellor or even a health professional. It is important they do not become disillusioned as this can have a major impact on confidence. You want to give your child the best opportunity in a successful and happy future.

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