Transition Can Be Difficult
By Sharon Henry

As our seniors graduate from high school, the most common questions they get asked are “where are you going to college” or “what are your plans “?  So much hinges on those questions; there’s a lot of pressure and stress put on these young people at a critical time in their life.

Some graduates have truly figured out what they want to do. However, some are possibly going to college because a friend is going. Perhaps they don’t know what else to do or they are told it’s the right thing to do. What if they are unsure and don’t want to go to college or other post secondary education. Should they be made to feel like they are not as good as the next young person?

So what happens to these young people as high school ends?  Do they get a full or part time job? Do they get depressed, because all their friends leave for college and they have no one to hang out with? Do they feel alone?  Do they make bad choices and hang with the wrong crowd and start using alcohol or drugs?

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a program that 17-24 year olds could attend if they needed more time to figure out which direction they want to go: a program where they could learn about personal finances, life skills, could research careers, job opportunities or shadow an adult in a field (job) of their choice.

I have been researching a “Transition Year” program idea because I have a personal interest for all those young people who seem lost, lack direction, or have a feeling of hopelessness in wondering “what do I do now”?

A program in Ireland offers students an option to follow a Transition Year Program. It offers a broad educational experience with a view to the attainment of increased maturity, before proceeding to further study and/or vocational preparation. It provides a bridge to help make the transition from a highly-structured environment to one where they will take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision-making. Young people participate in learning strategies which are active and experiential and which help them to develop a range of transferable critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. The Transition Year also provides an opportunity to reflect on the value of education and training in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of adults world of work and relationships.

Don’t get me wrong, I think college is great. But it’s not for everyone. My own kids were not interested in a 4 year college education and I didn’t push them to go. We actually need more people to work in the labor work force.  We also need some type of program for those who don’t know what direction they should go. A transition year or bridge year would help young people find out who they are and where they want to go.  All graduates need our support as they journey into that “big world” and find their focus.