Dominating the Path to Graduation: A Teen’s Guide for a Smooth Return to School

Read time: 6 minutes

In the past, struggling in school may have been a regular part of life. As a result, you may have been put on academic probation or stopped going altogether. Events like these can make going back to school feel more impossible. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way—You can go back to school and be successful. You just need the right program for you.   

If you’re in doubt, it IS possible to go back to school after dropping out or experiencing previous challenges in school. We have seen it happen with thousands of students who faced the same circumstances and, through the support of the Grad Solutions program, made it through. You are capable of great things—and finishing high school. With the right support, you can make it through school and further your options in life.   

Taking the first step down the path to high school graduation can be intimidating, but we assure you that Grad Solutions has made the process easy so you can get started quickly. Grad Solutions is a free, supportive, flexible online high school diploma program designed for Arizona students just like you.   

Grad Solutions has helped many students get back on track after major obstacles arose in school. To help you build some momentum, we’ve created the following practical guide for returning to school.

Make sure to download and save the guide so you can refer back to it anytime.

Keep Your “Why” at Top of Mind 

Often, diving in and getting started can be exciting. That excitement gets you started and can keep you going for a while, but it can slow down when you’re in the middle of schoolwork and have obligations pulling you in different directions. When that happens, remembering your “why” is the key to keeping you motivated.   

Your “why” is the reason you decided to go back to school to finish. For many people, the why for going back to school includes more job opportunities, being a role model, personal pride, or meeting a life goal. These are all excellent long-term reasons for going through the short-term work of finishing school. That’s why writing down your why somewhere and keeping it close will help you stay focused on what’s important when you’re tempted to put off the work or quit.   

Set Realistic Goals 

One effective way to reach any goal is to break it down into smaller steps. Breaking work down into smaller tasks can turn something that seems overwhelming into something you can easily handle. For example, instead of thinking about your course as something to do all at once, attack it one module at a time and make it easy to tackle.   

Log in regularly and do a little at a time. Each session of focused work you complete will add up and make a big difference toward your progress. 

Follow a Routine 

Establishing a regular habit of school work sessions is crucial for success in returning to school. Consider scheduling dedicated time daily or weekly to focus on schoolwork. Here’s a quick tip: using an electronic calendar like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar can help you stay on track with reminders and routines.

For students who struggle with this on their own, Grad Solutions provides an individualized learning plan to help each student pace themselves. You can study during the day, evenings, or weekends — whatever works best for you, but do it at regular times and you will make progress! 

Find a Distraction-free Study Area 

Let’s be honest, we don’t always have the luxury of working distraction-free. However, finding a quiet area will help you make faster progress toward your goals whenever possible.   

You can get creative if you can’t find a quiet area to work. You can create a dedicated study space at home, even if it’s just the kitchen table with headphones or a large closet. Removing distractions like social media during study time can help you make progress faster. 

Lean into Your Supporters 

Lean into family and friends who will support you as you work your way through your classes. Stay connected with these influences and allow them to encourage and help you in reaching your goal.  

Some schools provide academic advisors or coaches to help you through the process of doing school.  For those in Arizona, Grad Solutions offers a program with more than just online classes; it’s a support system of real people who care. Grad Solutions provides enrollment counselors, mentors, certified teachers, and support staff to help students overcome their challenges, guide, tutor, and encourage them. Help is always available — students can lean on their support to make it through.  

Expect Setbacks and Keep Going 

While chasing your dreams, you will eventually encounter challenges that feel like setbacks. It’s not a question of “if” they will happen, but “when.” When they do happen, remember that obstacles are part of the process and you shouldn’t give up. Sure, you may miss a couple of weeks of schoolwork, but that doesn’t mean you should quit. Lean into your supporters to encourage, motivate and keep you going during this time.   

Celebrate Every Milestone 

The journey to graduation can feel unending at times. Along the way, you may get tired or start to feel less motivated than you did in the beginning. The best way to prevent feelings of discouragement is to acknowledge your minor successes by celebrating them along the way.   

There is no milestone too small to celebrate. Did you spend three hours and knock out a few assignments at one time? Then great! Celebrate that achievement. Did you get to the end of a hard module that you didn’t think you could finish? Awesome! Honor your hard work with a small celebration. Celebrating your small accomplishments will help you stay excited about learning and energized for the path ahead. Before you know it, you’ll be closer to graduation than you realized.   

Dropping Out is Not the End of Your Journey 

You may have dropped out, but you can finish what you started—Grad Solutions is here to help. At Grad Solutions, we provide the resources and support to help students dominate their remaining classes and take control of their high school journey.  

If you or someone you know is ready to return to school and finish what they started, we’re ready to help. At Grad Solutions, we don’t just offer a path to a diploma—we help you take command of your high school experience and become empowered to fulfill your dreams of the future.