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When you’re starting out in high school, it can feel like the years of school that you have ahead are impossibly long. You can’t wait for school to be over.

That feeling can be even stronger if you’ve already got an idea of what you want to do after school. You’re probably wishing that there was some kind of fast-forward button to get through the days until graduation.

Well – there’s no fast forward button, but there are ways to help you feel like school isn’t such a drag.

Firstly – have a think about what it is you don’t like about school. Is it that you can’t wait to get out in the world and do what you want, or is there another reason that you might be missing

Here’s some reasons why you might be wishing you didn’t have to keep going to school, and some solutions to get you past those feelings:

If you feel like you’ve got your future figured out already and can’t see the point in finishing school, the truth is this: you need to be in some form of education or training until you’re 16 or finish year 10 (whatever comes first). Until then, it’s best to try and make the most of getting an education.

How to make the most of your time when you just want to get started on your future career

1. Get a part time job

If you’re craving the chance to get out in the ‘real world’, a part-time or casual job is a great first step. Keep in mind – the minimum age for employment is 13, but is lowered to 11 if you are doing supervised delivery work like delivering newspapers, advertising material or similar items.

Having a job will help you understand more about money and what it takes to earn it. It will also help you see and understand first hand what skills are needed. These include things like communication skills, taking on instructions and problem solving.

2. Create a plan for your future

If you’ve got big plans for your future – that’s awesome! The great thing about being where you are at your age is that you’ve got plenty of time to plan. So get started!

Write out a plan, work out a budget, then work out how you’re going to pay (fund) to make your dreams come true! If you need some financial support to get you there, check out what’s available here. Who knows – you could start ticking off one part of your plan each year!

The great thing about creating a plan is that it’ll show you the things you don’t know yet. Let that be your guide for finding more value in school. You might start choosing subjects that will help benefit the career plans you have, and when a topic comes up in class that is relevant to your plans, you’ll appreciate the chance to learn about it!

3. Be patient

Until you’re 16 (or finished year 10 – whatever comes first) going to school is something that you need to do – just know that there are plenty of ways to do your education. You’ll find that if you are patient and accept what is ahead of you, school will become a lot more enjoyable. However, if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, or it just seems too far away, reach out to your school guidance officer; they can provide you with the support you need. Remember, there’s going to be heaps of times in your life after school where you’ll need to be patient, especially when it comes to building that dream career you’ve got planned!