Final answer:
If you graduated high school in 2018, you would have started high school in 2014. Post-graduation, students often go to college, enter the workforce, or take a gap year, and these choices may not be mutually exclusive. Peter, a fictional high school senior, faces the decision of whether to drop out, work after graduation, or attend college.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you graduated from high school in 2018, we can determine what year you would have started high school by understanding the typical duration of high school in the United States. High school generally lasts for four years, encompassing grades nine through twelve. To calculate your starting year, we simply subtract four years from your graduation year. Therefore, if you graduated in 2018, you likely started high school in 2014.
Understanding Post-Graduation Choices
Upon graduation, students often choose between various paths, including attending college, entering the workforce, or taking a gap year. These decisions can be impacted by various factors, such as personal goals, economic conditions, or educational opportunities. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2020 revealed that about two-thirds of high school graduates were enrolled in college, with most being immediate enrollers. Meanwhile, others join the workforce directly after high school.
Mutually Exclusive Post-High School Events
In a hypothetical high school graduating class, different post-graduation plans, such as going to college, working full-time, or taking a gap year, might not be mutually exclusive events. Some students may work while also planning to attend college later, or work during their gap year before enrolling.
Peter's Post-High School Decisions
Consider the case of Peter, a high school senior. He is contemplating three distinct paths: dropping out, graduating and working without pursuing further education, or attending college after graduation. Each choice will lead him down a different trajectory with unique outcomes and opportunities.