When you hear the word “success,” what comes to mind? For years, many believed success after high school and beyond meant getting into a top college, earning a degree and landing a high-paying job. But today, views have changed and many agree: success after high school looks different for everyone.
When people talk about success after high school, the conversation often centers around college admissions, scholarships and career goals. The traditional path of graduating from high school with top scores, getting into a four-year college or university and earning a respectable income was perceived as the golden standard of achievement. But today, more students, families and educators are expanding on the question, “What does success really mean?”
“To me, success is being content with where you are in life,” said junior staff writer Sloane Christianson. “I think a lot of people define success as having a lot of money, but it’s more than that, because you can have all of the money in the world and be unhappy if you don’t have good people surrounding you. Having a strong support system and people you can go to is just as important, if not more, than having money.”
Many believe that the more money you have, the more successful you are in life. While that is true for some, success is different for everyone; there are other means of defining success in life. Success isn’t one path anymore; it’s about finding what fits you, whether that’s college, a job, the military or even starting your own business. More students are exploring options beyond the traditional four-year college route. Some are attending trade schools where they can learn skills like welding, coding or healthcare in less time and often with less debt. Others are starting their careers right away, taking gap years to travel or volunteer, enrolling in online courses to pursue their interests at their own pace and more. Whether you’re heading to college, a trade, the workforce or something else entirely, the most important thing is choosing what’s right for you.
However, it’s not just about the type of job or degree you earn. Many students are redefining success in more personal terms, such as mental well-being, healthy relationships, a good work-life balance and personal growth. Many students used to think success was about impressing others, but now, after dealing with burnout and stress, they’ve realized that success should be doing something they love and feeling good about their lives, not just trying to be highly regarded by others.
If you’re still unsure about what you want to do after high school, you can be assured that it’s not too late, and it’s okay to take your time figuring things out. Some students need a gap year to explore their interests; some want to travel, help their families or even start their own businesses. There are so many ways to be successful, and none of them have to look exactly the same.
Mental health is also a huge aspect of success. In an increasingly fast-paced and competitive world, the pressure to meet societal expectations can take a toll on students’ mental health. Instead of focusing only on achievements like awards and salaries, we should focus on prioritizing our happiness, balance and personal growth. Success is about doing something we love and feeling content with our lives. Students should focus more on their own goals and values, not just what looks good on paper. Social media sometimes makes it easy to compare ourselves and our lives to others, but it’s important not to forget that everyone’s journey and definition of success is different.
“I would say that success for me is being able to accomplish a goal, no matter how small it might be,” said sophomore staff writer Sophia Ashley. “Sure, success can be being good at something, or getting a good grade, but it can also be something small like being on time to every class, etc.”
Life after high school will be new and unknown. You will have to learn how to leave your comfort zone and step into countless possibilities. But one thing’s for certain: every student will find their own unique version of success.
