Preparing During High School

I don’t know about you but one of the most unexpected things that happened to me once I reached high school was the continual amount of people asking me what I wanted to do after high school. This came as a shock to me because I had hardly thought about what I was doing during high school & others already wanted to know what my decision was on my post - high school years!

I often tell people that I’m still deciding what my goals & dreams for my life are. Right now I’m considering each available path & continue to remain open to each one.

However, despite my lack of plans at this time, there are still ways I can be preparing myself for this upcoming stage of life. I’d like to share with you some practical things I’m doing, books I’m reading & tools I’m discovering. Here is a list of some tips & tricks.... :)

• I’m developing experiences that utilize my giftings. People who know me know that I’m gifted in administration, shepherding, encouragement, teaching & creativity. So, I try to find ways to use what God has given me. I lead Bright Lights, run a newsletter for teen girls, write notes of encouragement to my friends, etc.
• I’m also working on developing my interests. Pursuing & studying my interests now will enable me to proficiently use them to serve God & his Kingdom during my single years when I have time to invest in projects & ministries that will use these talents.
• I’m trying to develop a record of leadership & community service. There are opportunities all over the place to gain some experience & serve others. I’ve volunteered at the library assisting with children’s story-times, helped out with my church’s children’s ministry, spent some time helping with odd jobs at the city’s food bank, helped clean up trash off parks & highways & several other things.
• I’m studying for college board tests that may lead to college scholarships like the PSAT, SAT, ACT, etc. If I do decide to attend a college it will be helpful to to have scholarship options & have the test-taking skills mastered. (Helpful books I have found for this include College Prep Genius & any books published by the College Board).
• I’m reading books such as So Much More (by Anna Sophia & Elizabeth Botkin) to help me get a vision for what life would look like staying at home through my single years.
• During my week I keep a balanced emphasis on academic studies & practical homemaking skills. I want to make sure my days are not so academically focused that I have no time for learning sewing, cooking, cleaning, baking, household management & other essentials skills I will need to serve my father & eventually my future husband. I like to work on skills by completing the requirements found in the Keeper’s at Home handbook.
• I put a large emphasis on the study of Christian worldview & apologetics. It will be important for me to be able to defend my faith whether I end up at college or remaining at home. Resources from Answers in Genesis & Biblical Discipleship Ministries top my favorites list. I’ve also attended Worldview Academy once & will be returning for their alumni track this fall.

These are just a couple things I’m doing right now while I’m still in high school. I’m sure I’ll think of more to share but this is a good list for now. I can’t wait to see what direction God will take me in the years to come.