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Your Future: Ready, Set, Go!

Lesson Plan

Your Future: Ready, Set, Go!

Students will identify key areas for post-high school planning (education, career, personal finance) and reflect on their current readiness.

Preparing for life after high school can feel overwhelming. This lesson helps students break it down into manageable steps and feel more confident about their future.

Audience

12th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and introduction to planning tools.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Slide Deck: Your Future Navigator, Warm-Up: Brainstorm Your Future, Activity: Future Path Checklist, and Cool-Down: One Step Forward

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm-Up: Brainstorm Your Future activity. Ask students to quickly jot down their initial thoughts about what comes after high school.
  • Briefly discuss some responses, highlighting the diversity of paths and the importance of planning.

Step 2

Navigating Your Future (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present the Slide Deck: Your Future Navigator.
  • Lead a discussion using the slides to cover key transition areas: further education, career paths, and practical life skills (like budgeting).
  • Encourage students to share any concerns or questions they have about these topics.

Step 3

Future Path Checklist Activity (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Activity: Future Path Checklist.
  • Give students time to complete the checklist, thinking about what they've already considered and what they still need to explore.
  • Circulate the room to provide individual support and answer questions.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool-Down (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Conclude with the Cool-Down: One Step Forward activity, asking students to identify one actionable step they can take this week towards their post-high school plans.
  • Collect the cool-down responses as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Your Future: Ready, Set, Go!

Navigating Life After High School

Are you ready for your next adventure?

Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of their future after high school. Emphasize that there are many paths and this lesson is about exploring them.

What's Next?

High School Graduation: The Launchpad!

What comes after…?

  • College?
  • Job?
  • Travel?
  • Trade School?
  • Something else entirely?

Ask students to think about what 'next' means to them. What are some immediate thoughts or feelings that come to mind when they hear 'life after high school'?

Pathways to Success: Education

Explore Your Options:

  • Higher Education: 2-year or 4-year colleges, universities
  • Vocational/Trade Schools: Specialized training for specific careers
  • Apprenticeships: Learn a skilled trade while working
  • Certifications: Short-term programs for specific skills

Discuss different educational pathways. Encourage students to share if they are considering any of these. Highlight that 'education' can look different for everyone.

Pathways to Success: Career

Finding Your Calling:

  • Career Exploration: What interests you? What are your strengths?
  • Job Market Research: What jobs are in demand?
  • Resumes & Interviews: Essential skills for getting hired
  • Networking: Who you know can help you grow

Shift to career exploration. Ask students what kind of work excites them. Remind them that career paths can evolve.

Life Skills for Independence

Beyond the Books:

  • Personal Finance: Budgeting, saving, understanding credit
  • Housing: Finding a place to live, understanding leases
  • Healthcare: Navigating insurance, doctor's visits
  • Daily Living: Cooking, cleaning, time management

Discuss practical life skills. These are often overlooked but crucial for independence. Ask for examples of real-world skills they think are important.

Ready, Set, Plan!

It's a Journey, Not a Race:

  • Start exploring now!
  • Ask questions!
  • Seek guidance from counselors, teachers, family.
  • Break down big goals into small, achievable steps.
  • You've got this!

Reinforce that planning is a continuous process and it's okay not to have all the answers right now. Encourage them to use the provided checklist to start organizing their thoughts.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Brainstorm Your Future

Take two minutes to quickly jot down anything that comes to mind when you think about life after high school. Don't censor yourself – just let your thoughts flow!

  • What are you excited about?


  • What are you worried about?


  • What do you think you'll be doing a year from now?


  • What questions do you have?


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Activity

Activity: Future Path Checklist

Use this checklist to reflect on your post-high school plans. Mark what you've already considered and what you still need to explore.

Education/Training

  • Researched different types of colleges (2-year, 4-year)
  • Explored vocational or trade schools
  • Looked into apprenticeship opportunities
  • Considered military service
  • Applied to schools/programs
  • Applied for scholarships/financial aid

Career Exploration

  • Identified potential career interests
  • Researched job descriptions and required skills
  • Created a resume or started one
  • Practiced interview skills
  • Looked for entry-level job opportunities
  • Talked to someone in a career I'm interested in

Life Skills & Independence

  • Thought about budgeting and managing money
  • Understand how to open and manage a bank account
  • Considered housing options (dorm, apartment, living at home)
  • Know how to schedule a doctor's appointment
  • Have basic cooking skills
  • Know how to do laundry and other household chores

Reflection

  • What is one area you feel most prepared for?


  • What is one area you feel you need to learn more about?


  • Who can you talk to for more help with your plans?


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Cool Down

Cool-Down: One Step Forward

Think about everything we discussed today and your Future Path Checklist. What is ONE actionable step you can take this week to move closer to your post-high school goals?

My one step is:




Why is this step important to you?




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