My Tips for Homeschooling High School Students from a Highschool Homeschooler

Hey, I’m Ava from Faithfully Exploring Blog! I’m a junior in high school. My mom has been homeschooling me since 2012, and we have enjoyed every minute of it!

If you’re new to homeschooling, check out this post about What I wish I’d known as a beginning homeschooler.

A few months ago, I had a sudden urge to start a blog, and I did. I soon realized that it was easier said than done, but two weeks ago, I posted my first blog post. So, here I am: writing a blog post for Saving Talents!

As a young blogger, I hope to inspire other teens to go after their dreams. I also hope that my posts help other homeschooling families because everyone needs help for homeschooling and high school graduation!

Since I entered high school, I’ve been trying to learn everything that I can learn. From learning life skills to learning about other subjects and politics, I’ve learned a lot.

High school is the last four years of school. You need to use this time to work on your weaknesses or to find new interests. Whatever it is, you need to do it before you graduate and go to college. 

In this post, I’m going to list 10 things that you should do throughout high school to become a more well-rounded person. Not only will you feel more aware of what’s going on in the world, but you’ll feel more confident and ready for college! 

Have Public School Friends 

Having your children have public school friends is completely up to you. But I don’t think there should be a separation between high school homeschoolers and public school students. It’s essential to foster inclusivity in the curriculum and physical education and provide opportunities for all grades and students to interact and learn from one student to another, regardless of their educational backgrounds.

There are many ways to have public school friends.

1. Some schools allow high school homeschoolers to participate in sports or school activities. For example, my local high school wanted me to participate in their science Olympiad team, but I didn’t have the time.
2. You can go to academic camps or programs. Joining community clubs, volunteer organizations, or youth groups can also provide opportunities to meet and socialize with peers from traditional schools.These extracurricular activities offer a chance to bond over shared interests and develop friendships outside the homeschooling environment.

Participate in Academic Programs

I was just talking about this. One of the benefits of going to academic programs is that you’ll have the opportunity to make public school friends. However, there are many other benefits for high school homeschoolers. 

One example is participating in a few high school students or middle school science fairs – you could do this fun Apple Volcano Science Experiment! Another idea is this flower science experiment.

If the academic program parents choose, is in the summer, it will keep you busy while homeschooling your child and will look great on your college application.  Some AP courses in these academic programs can be completed while you’re homeschooling children and traveling.

And you get to learn about cool things! For example, last year, I participated in an academic program, and it was about neuroscience. We built electrophysiological equipment and used crickets. How cool is that?! 

If you want to do music lessons, check out these free printable music practice tracking sheets

Watch the News 

Keeping up with current events by watching the news is crucial, especially in today’s rapidly changing world. It helps you stay informed about recent developments and influential figures shaping our society.

However, if traditional news channels don’t appeal to you, there are alternative ways to stay updated. Social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter offer bite-sized updates and breaking news alerts.

For iPhone users, the pre-installed news app provides a convenient option with articles from reputable sources like the New York Times and USA Today, along with access to various magazines.

Moreover, podcasts offer a flexible way to consume news while on the go, allowing you to listen to in-depth analysis and discussions on current events at your convenience. By incorporating these diverse sources into your homeschooling routine, you not only stay informed but also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and a broader understanding of the world around you.

Learn about Politics

Learning about politics is crucial (at least for me). It controls our everyday lives and is on the news all the time. We need to understand it and know about it. 

When I was younger, I didn’t understand politics at all. When something politics-related came on the news, I was completely lost. It’s not good to be unaware of something, especially politics. 

You’re probably saying, “But where do I start?” I know that it can be overwhelming! I recommend watching politics, and then if you have any questions or don’t know something, look it up on Google. You could also watch YouTube videos. 

I think what helped me was participating in the NC Senate and House Page Program. It helped me get familiar with my state’s politics, which made U.S. politics less complicated for me. So, I recommend participating in your state’s page program.

Be Independent

I mean this in many ways. You can be independent in your learning or just independent in general. 

In terms of my academic independence, taking responsibility for my learning journey is essential for student success, both in high school and community college classes and beyond. Since the 7th grade, I’ve been independently learning. My mom doesn’t have to tell me to start on my work because I know that I have to. By proactively managing my workload, understanding deadlines, and creating a study schedule, I develop self-discipline and time-management skills that are invaluable.

Additionally, being independent in everyday tasks, such as running errands or helping with household chores, fosters a sense of self-reliance and resourcefulness.

If you can go places without your parents, it makes you comfortable being by yourself, which is of course something you’ll be doing a lot in your senior year of college. Learning to navigate the world independently, whether it’s driving to the grocery store or managing your schedule, builds confidence and prepares you for the independence you’ll experience in college and adulthood. Embracing independence in all its forms empowers you to take control of your life and pursue your goals with determination and resilience.

Learn Life Skills 

Learning life skills kind of applies to what I was just talking about. In college, you’re going to need to know how to cook or how to save money. While academic knowledge is of course important, practical skills such as cooking and managing finances are equally valuable for navigating everyday life.

Like, this summer, I’ve been doing a lot of cooking. Why? Because I go to college in 2 years, and I’m going to need to know how to cook. As college approaches, taking the initiative to learn these skills becomes increasingly important. It is an opportunity to develop independence and self-sufficiency. By mastering basic cooking techniques and meal planning, you can avoid the expense of dining out and make healthier choices.

There are plenty of life skills that a high school student or homeschooler should learn before going to college. From budgeting and time management to laundry and basic car maintenance, these skills empower students to handle the challenges of independent living with confidence. If you would like to know more about them, read “Practical Life Skills for College” from the Ben and Me Blog offers valuable insights and tips to help homeschooled high school students prepare for the next stage of their journey. By investing time and effort into acquiring these essential life skills, homeschool students everywhere can enhance their readiness for college and lay a solid foundation for success in the future.

Get a Job or Volunteer 

Last year, I got a job at Chick-fil-a! Don’t they say that high school homeschoolers always get a job at Chick-fil-a?

It was really fun and helped me improve my social skills as I interacted with customers and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.. The fast-paced environment challenged me to think on my feet and develop quick decision-making skills, especially during rush hours when we’d have up to 200 cars at the drive-thru each hour.

Unfortunately, we had to move. But as I said, it helped me in so many ways.

I recommend getting a job or volunteering! Not only does it improve your social skills, but you get to build relationships with people and get future recommendations from them.

Improve Study Skills 

Improving your study skills in high school is essential, especially if you’re going to college. But if you’re entering the workforce, you still need to have good grades. 

I recommend finding the study skills that help you the most and stick with those skills, like this High School Leadership class schedule

When I study, I make sure that I take breaks to stay focused (this is kind of similar to the Pomodoro method). I’ve been using this method for over a year now, and it helps. 

If you would like to know more tips on study skills for high school homeschoolers, we have a post about this on our blog here. 

Learn more about College or Workforce

Whether you’re going to college or entering the workforce, you need to learn more about it. 

If you’re going to college, you need to start looking at colleges that you may be interested in and what their admission requirements are. You also need to think about what AP (or Advanced Placement) courses you would like to take. These courses can save you both time and money in college. 

If you’re going into the workforce, you need to start looking at jobs that you may be interested in and see what they require or recommend. You also might need to check their age requirements. 

Understanding the qualifications and skills needed for different academic areas and roles can help you prepare and set realistic goals for your career path. Regardless of your chosen path, taking the time to learn more about college or the workforce equips you with the knowledge and insight needed to make informed decisions and pursue your goals effectively.

Take the SAT 

If you take the SAT in high school, it opens the doors to scholarships, academic opportunities, and college. It helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses in math, reading and writing, and grammar, enabling targeted preparation in online classes to improve your skills.

Even if you’re not going to college, I still recommend taking this test. Some employers require SAT scores as part of their hiring process. 

I took the SAT in December 2019. You may be asking, “Why did you take it so early?” It was one of the admission requirements for my online school. Not only did I get accepted into my online school, but I also got accepted into my local community college for dual enrollment. 

This early preparation and successful test performance positioned me for academic success and future further education opportunities. For those considering taking the SAT, comprehensive preparation is key. If you’re seeking tips and guidance for SAT preparation, our post offers valuable insights to help you excel on test day.

Conclusion

As I said, these are 10 tips for the new high school homeschoolers to become a more well-rounded person. These things will also help you be more prepared for college or the workforce. 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments. If you would like to see more posts like this, visit our website at faithfullyexploring.com

About the Author

Ava from Faithfully Exploring Blog is a junior in high school and has been homeschooled since 2012. Find her on social media:

• https://www.facebook.com/faithfullyexploring
• https://www.instagram.com/faithfully.exploring/
• https://twitter.com/faithfullyava
• https://www.pinterest.com/faithfullyexploringblog/
• ava@faithfullyexploring.com

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