Young people: smart choices for school, money & life

Young people face big choices about school, money, and what to do after graduation. This page collects practical ideas from sports seasons to student loans, special education, and skills that matter in the real world. Read on for quick, useful tips you can use today.

Education & money

Picking a school or program matters more than following trends. Ask what skills you will leave with and how those skills match jobs. If tuition looks scary, consider community college, scholarships, apprenticeships, or online programs that offer hands-on learning. Private schools may teach financial basics, but you can learn money skills for free through workshops, library books, and practice budgeting now.

Student loans are serious. If you can, start paying small amounts while you earn to reduce interest. If repayment feels impossible, call your lender and ask about income-driven plans, deferment, or forgiveness options before missing payments. Building a credit history by keeping accounts in good standing opens doors later, like better rates on loans or renting apartments.

Special education choices should match needs, not prestige. Look for trained staff, clear behavior supports, and communication with parents. The "best" school depends on your child’s profile — academic, sensory, social, and transportation needs all matter. Visit classrooms and ask how progress is tracked.

Activities, sports & practical skills

Sports teach teamwork and time management. Seasons vary: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer each follow different calendars. Playing any sport boosts fitness and social skills, and helps with college applications if that matters to you.

Want to stand out in presentations or job interviews? Pick unique topics that show curiosity and fit your audience. Practice in front of friends, time your talk, and use one strong story to keep attention. Real examples beat fancy slides.

Tech and online learning keep changing higher education. Expect more flexible, cheaper options like micro-credentials and bootcamps for specific careers. That can be great if you want to skip years of debt and learn what employers actually need.

If you love sports culture, know that college conferences change year to year, watch teams, not labels, to judge how competitive leagues are. And if you’re abroad and want to catch a big game, find expat bars or stream with headphones to avoid time zone trouble.

Final practical checklist: pick learning that builds job skills, get clear loan advice before borrowing, try sports or clubs for soft skills, and practice public speaking often. Small, steady steps beat last-minute fixes. Use the posts on this page for more details on each topic.

A few quick actions you can take this week: update your resume with any volunteer or club roles, reach out to one mentor or teacher for advice, apply to at least two internships or gigs, set a simple monthly budget and track spending, and schedule a school visit or online demo class. Small actions add up fast and reveal what fits you. Repeat and adjust every month to stay moving toward work and life goals, and celebrate every small win often.