Staying in High School vs. Dropping Out

Dear High School Students,

My name is … and I’m a student who considers it a tragedy that today’s high school students drop out in record numbers. I have a friend who is a dropout and tries to survive on government aid. I see that this phenomenon is gaining momentum and becoming widespread, especially now that schools are switching to distance learning. I am concerned about this tendency and I believe that this issue should be addressed as soon as possible to eliminate future social problems.

According to the research, more than one million high school students drop out every year. This is nearly 33% of all students from public high schools (Azmitia et al. 92). The statistics are shocking, and the consequences of dropout are increasingly debilitating. These statistics must be changed, first of all, by understanding all the risks and consequences of dropping out of high school. Dropouts are more likely to live in poverty, become homeless, start some illegal activities, or just survive on government aid (Azmitia et al. 91). Moreover, a higher percentage of dropouts have health issues due to a lack of access to basic care. This tendency should be changed by motivating students to make a more informed choice not in favor of immediate pleasures but the study that will bring positive results and welfare in the future.

The main reason for dropping out is the lack of motivation and life goals. The quality of education, which has not undergone any fundamental changes in the changing world, is another reason. Mechanization, automation, and intellectualization of many technological processes significantly reduce the need for human labor, except for research and creativity (Azmitia et al. 94). Taking this into account, in each area of human activity, every student can single out skills and abilities that may be interesting and relevant. Therefore, it is obvious that the educational process involves the development of not only those skills and abilities that are relevant now but also those that will be relevant in the future. Despite these problems, every student must understand that education helps people to manage their lives. Studying provides knowledge, develops skills, fosters the habit of intellectual work, increases efficiency, instills self-discipline, and fosters responsibility.

Several points must be considered to keep students from dropping out. First of all, communication is an extremely important tool for solving this problem. Teachers and parents should talk to students about their future and career goals. They should not be forced to stay in high school but rather motivated to do so. Teachers should support and encourage such students. They must be engaged in various interesting activities and participate in school life.

When a student speaks about his or her decision to drop out, both teachers and parents should encourage to take a break or a gap year rather than quitting school (Azmitia et al. 94). When there are some specific reasons for not wanting to study in a particular institution, the student must consider another school instead.

However, there is another point of view that studying in a higher school no longer guarantees professional success in the future, so students can drop out of this stage. One of the reasons for this opinion is lack of motivation. When students do what they like, they are guided by intrinsic motivation, that is, they like the process itself, and money, encouragement, or praise fades into the background. After all, it is much more pleasant to be engaged in business and enjoy not only the reward but also the process itself. Unfortunately, high school often takes a different path, learning to be bored, monotonous, and lacking in interest. Therefore, more and more students choose to drop out, although it threatens the whole society.

Unfortunately, students often forget that the process of learning and then work can be enjoyable. They have forgotten that a century ago people fought for the acquisition of knowledge and getting educated. Please consider my suggestion and remember that education helps to develop intelligence, structure thinking, improve mental health, resilience to change, and abilities for self-organization. The fact that new knowledge makes us smarter is the truth since new skills allow getting in touch with different areas, develop thinking, and increase flexibility. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Work Cited

Azmitia, Margarita, et al. ““Dropping Out Is Not an Option”: How Educationally Resilient First‐Generation Students See the Future.” New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, no. 160, 2018, pp. 89-100. Doi: 10.1002/cad.20240