Quick Search

Active Bloggers

Min Sammy Jackson Min Sammy Jackson
class of 1975
Will Moss Will Moss
Hampton University class of 1995
HBCU CONNECT HBCU CONNECT
Central State University class of 1995
Jordan Davis Jordan Davis
University of the District of Columbia class of 2025
Shykeria Lifleur Shykeria Lifleur
Other College... class of
Randi Payton Randi Payton
University of the District of Columbia class of 1982
P C P C
class of
How May I Help You NC How May I Help You NC
Bellarmine University class of 2021

What Do You Do Before High School Graduation??

What Do You Do Before High School Graduation??
Posted By: William Jackson on April 21, 2016


What Do You Do Before High School Graduation??
William Jackson, M.Ed.
Edward Waters College
@wmjackson #MyQuestToTeach

Dynamic scholarship information
at your finger tips.
https://twitter.com/prepforcollege
@prepforcollege (Twitter) #CollegeChat,

These suggestions are to help parents, grandparents
and guardians as graduation for their children gets
closer. Graduation, a great accomplishment and the
end to an educational journey from Day Care to
High School. Before this momentous occasion
parents need to make sure all the i’s are dotted
and t’s crossed to make a smooth closure to a
long journey. These are just a few suggestions
from my experiences as a parent and teacher in
elementary education and higher education.

1. Make sure you obtain the most recent high
school “official” transcript to mail to schools
or potential employers. Many organizations,
schools and groups require a transcript to see
if academically students are “qualified” to be eligible.

2. Make sure you have current and up to date
medical and dental records. Even after graduating
from high school students are still dependent
on their parents for certain medical information.
Parents must understand “their” graduate is not
an adult yet, they are still maturing, learning
and growing. There is some information and
documentation only parents can obtain until
children are 21.

3. Make sure there are boundaries and expectations
on behaviors, actions, and even chores in the
home for the soon to be graduates. There should
be mutual understanding on everyone’s duties and
responsibilities and always respect. Stop telling
your child they are “grown” until they are out
of your house.

4. Talk to your child’s teacher(s) about consistant
communication so projects, homework and assignments
are kept current and get completed. Do not take the
words, “I got this,” as being responsible and accountable.

5. Make any hair, nail or beauty appointments
months before May to avoid the rush and chaos.

6. Remind your child of the two institutions that
want their attendance
Correctional (Prison) and Instructional (Higher
Education) and to make wise decisions.

7. Check your child’s academic (Cumulative) folder
for items that may delay graduation or entrance
into college, trade school or the military. You
have a right to see their records and ask questions
and if not provided seek an attorney for help.
Check for discipline referrals, changed grades,
teacher notes, etc. All documentation is important.

8. Make sure all deposits and fees are paid in
full before graduation. Check for lost books, needed
forms and other items that should be completed.


Do not trust your child unless they show they
are responsible.

9. Know what your child’s GPA is, weighted or
unweighted.

10. Make sure your child takes the SAT and the ACT
several times. Many schools only require one, but
better safe than sorry.

11. Check on Bright Futures scholarship information.
Many HBCU’s accept ACT scores and SAT. Use whichever
gives you a better chance of getting into college
and this may affect monies.

12. Work on your child’s Marketable skills to
help them network.

13. Set Academic, Professional, Monetary and Career
goals now so your child will have a flexible plan.

14. Have your child volunteer consistently, stay
involved in your community, and church. Volunteer
hours can still help with networking and build
marketable skills to use later.

15. Search online and inquire with local
businesses about summer internships paid and
unpaid. Your time is valuable so unpaid is
important also.

16. Join local business organizations like
Chamber of Commerce to gain
marketable skills and get a jump on career goals.

17. Participate in church events and activities
helps build your resume or CV.

18. Take college tours, visiting the school
environment to make sure you are familiar
with college or even the military.

19. Social Media entries; post positive content,
pictures, text and video. Your
e-Reputation and e-Personalities tell a story
about you. Social Media content will define you
and may be your first representation of you
to others.

20. Register with LinkedIn to start networking
and connecting. There is an NEW LinkedIn for
students. https://students.linkedin.com/

21. Continue to research educational options
and inquire even now about Masters and
Doctorial programs.

22. Make sure you and your child understand
what type of diploma they will have. It is
painful to expect a High School Diploma and
receive a Certificate of Attendance,
an ESE Diploma or others.

23. On Social Media unfriend and even block
those that are openly using drugs openly,
weapons and involved in criminal actions.
You may be guilty by association with them.

24. Have a “real” Social Security card, and
Birth Certificate, and if necessary a
Visa to travel abroad.

25. Check with your local police department
to make sure there are no records of
mistaken criminal activity from someone
impersonating you or looks like you.

26. Financial Aid and Scholarship
Information can be found online.
https://twitter.com/prepforcollege
@prepforcollege (Twitter) #CollegeChat,

27. Google and Hashtag yourself to
“see” what is online about yourself to be
prepared for questions.
If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email!
Comments
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
More From This Author
HBCU Students Brand Yourself Past SWAG
HBCU Students: Magnify, Modify, Edify Your Brand and Abilities
Fathers Help Your Child in School
HBCU’s: Preparing Teachers in the 21st Century
Parents What Are Your Expectations for Your Child
The Disappearing Black Man on HBCU Campuses
Latest Blogs
WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together

WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together

5 Anointed Christian Women talking about things happening in our communities Throughout the nation and should be change with our help daily. And there will be 2 recording gospel Artist at this event p ...more
Min Sammy Jackson • 37 Views • March 9th, 2026
WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together

WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together

5 Anointed Christian Women talking about things happening in our communities Throughout the nation and should be change with our help daily. And there will be 2 recording gospel Artist at this event p ...more
Min Sammy Jackson • 40 Views • March 9th, 2026
Behind the Wheel of the Hot 2026 Kia Sportage Review

Behind the Wheel of the Hot 2026 Kia Sportage Review

Compact SUVs remain competitive, and Kia’s best-selling model for 2026, the Sportage, gets a major mid-cycle update to stay ahead. During a week with the new Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD, I tested ...more
Randi Payton • 156 Views • March 5th, 2026
Season Opener

Season Opener

Open door looks inviting; You see noone near the vehicle yet the door has been wide open for an unusual amount of time! 🤔💭“maybe I should help them out or should I just stick to th ...more
How May I Help You NC • 165 Views • March 4th, 2026
Motivational Artist MARCUS PARKER Creates Rize Mode A AI Powered Artist

Motivational Artist MARCUS PARKER Creates Rize Mode A AI Powered Artist

@MARCUSPARKER #MARCUSPARKER @RIZEMODE #RIZEMODE @WISEDIVAS #WISEDIVAS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Underground Motivator MARCUS PARKER Launches AI Artists and New Guide to Help Others Build Their Own ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 203 Views • March 2nd, 2026
Popular Blogs
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,863,110 Views • January 27th, 2009
VISINE ALERT!!!

VISINE ALERT!!!

Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug. When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,521 Views • May 23rd, 2009

"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!

Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 75,934 Views • November 9th, 2006
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

Vendor: Charles Jones Item Price: $20.00 Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included Item Description: Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,767 Views • December 2nd, 2018
Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Albert N. Wilson, a former University of Kansas student, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime of probation after being convicted by an all-white jury of raping a white teen girl. Bu ...more
Will Moss • 54,699 Views • June 4th, 2020
Please Give Us a Like on Facebook!