Exploring High School Diploma Alternatives: Paths To Success Beyond Traditional Education

The path to success can take many different forms, and set-backs along your path do not have to mean that you have failed. This is true in many aspects of life, including obtaining a high school diploma. There are several reasons why you may have not earned, or will not be able to earn your high school diploma in the traditional four year process. This could be due to financial, personal, medical, or family-related issues that take time away from attending high school. While these struggles can be overwhelming, and perhaps make you feel that you will never earn your diploma, that is not the case at all. Plenty of people have gone through the same struggle that you are and have found their own way to success. Here at NSHSS, we decided to compile a few helpful alternatives to how you can achieve your dreams and move onto the next amazing journey in your life! 

1. Online Classes

One major set-back for people struggling to graduate high school is the timing. If you are somebody who cannot keep up with the traditional daily high school schedule, then online classes might just be your next best alternative. These online classes sometimes are set-up either by the state, or by the very high school that you are zoned for in your neighborhood. Typically, these classes can be done on your own time, allowing you to do them in-between your work schedule or hospital visits. But, if you take this route, just remember that you will most likely be studying alone, so remember to keep yourself accountable. Just because you are unable to keep the same schedule as everybody else, finding a schedule that fits you is still vitally important toward achieving success. 

2. Trade Schools 

Nowadays, trade schools are a very common way that students can move into the careers of their dreams. These schools vary in all types of ways, from the amount of years that you have to attend, to the amount of money each semester costs, to the types of work required based on the job you want. But the great thing about them is that they are built for students who do not want to go down the traditional college route. Although you must have either a high school diploma or GED-equivalent, these trade schools have a high acceptance rate, and are generally much more affordable than a four-year college. 

3. Military

Serving your country is a very hard choice to make, but one that can lead to great success and wonderful opportunities for both career and personal growth. All branches of the military do require a high school diploma or GED-equivalent to enter into basic training, but they do not require a college degree or trade school certificate. What’s more, most military branches will pay for your college after you have passed through basic training and have either served for a year or more, or are willing to be on reserve in a city nearby your college. The military is not for everyone, but they can be very beneficial to somebody looking for direction and a helping hand in difficult circumstances. 

4. Faith

If you are somebody who believes in a religion or subscribes to the foundations of organized religion, then there is a chance you have a path forward which no degree requires. Through your church or religious group, there are plenty of chances for you to be of service because of the work and beliefs you have, not because of the high school diploma you don’t have. Many large churches have mission trips where volunteers can sign up to go to impoverished countries and lend a hand in helping their citizens with things like building schools, develop plumbing systems to get running water to their villages, and so much more. Most of the church mission trips are paid for by the church itself, which is earned through the tithing that is given to them by their members. This is a very good way to gain life experience, meet new people, and work toward a future without having a degree. While this may not be a permanent solution, it can be very beneficial to your future as a student, and may even lead to a new career goal you never expected. 

5. The Arts 

Believe it or not, there is a way to become quite successful even without a high school diploma. But be forewarned here and now: it might be the hardest path to success you can imagine. There are several notable figures in the history of the arts who never actually graduated high school. From musicians, to writers, to actors, and even filmmakers, the list is longer than you might think. These people used their talents as creative artists to overcome their lack of a high school diploma, and eventually their hard work won out over their lack of a degree. If you are a parent, you might be shocked to read this as an option, and as a student you might already be thinking about packing your bags and getting a one-way ticket to Hollywood. But it is vital to understand that this way forward lies lots and lots of grueling work, long-sleepless nights, and plenty of rejections. However, there is no denying that the evidence of its existence speaks for itself. 

Whichever course you choose to go down, just remember that your devotion to your work and the people in your life are the most important aspects to finding true success. Whether you push through the difficult hours and obtain a high school diploma, or you choose to get your GED and move onto something with a more straight-forward path for a job, just be sure to do it with spirit and passion. The world is full of possibilities, and life can change on a dime. At NSHSS, it’s our goal to be a helpful guide along the way!