5 arguments to convince your teen to stay in school

Some situations can create a fear of the unknown and a sense of losing control, which have a negative impact on high school retention rates. There are plenty of ways to help your teen make an informed choice and stick to their studies during this difficult period:

• Maintain good communication
• Remind them that the current situation is temporary
• Talk about the future
• Have a positive attitude
• Etc.

Autonomy isn’t just about being financially independent, living on your own, and making big life decisions. It also means being able to do the following:

• Make political choices
• Solve problems
• Work without supervision
• Manage your time
• Understand social etiquette
• Communicate effectively
• Exercise free will
• Etc.

All these skills are learned and honed in the classroom.

If your teen has a job, there are various reasons why they might be satisfied with their current salary and working conditions. If they see only the positive side of their situation, they may be tempted to drop out of school for good. To help your teen plan for the future and make choices that align with their aspirations, encourage them to do the following:

• Make a list of life goals (manage a team, travel, have kids, own a car, buy a house, etc.)
• Make a realistic budget based on these goals (the cost of rent, groceries for a family, car payments, clothing, etc.)
• Identify their dream job
• Figure out which educational path will help them achieve their goals
• Etc.

After spending years outside the school system, returning to the classroom as an adult takes a lot of motivation, determination, and support. Why is resuming your studies as an adult so complicated? Here are just a few of the reasons:

• Much of the knowledge you acquired in school has been forgotten, making it all the more difficult to catch up
• It’s difficult to disrupt the life and routine you’ve become accustomed to
• Balancing family, work, and school requires a lot of effort
• The brain slows down with age, so learning becomes more challenging
• After a long day at work, you have less energy to hit the books
• Etc.

If, despite your best efforts and support, your teen still wants to drop out of school, you can put them in touch with an external resource person. Here are some people to consider:

• An adult your teen trusts
• A member of their school’s teaching staff
• A guidance counsellor
• An acquaintance who went through a similar situation
• Etc.