I was always taught that if I didn't stay in school, I wouldn't be successful. In some cases, people get lucky and find a decent job where they can live comfortably or at least get out of poverty. But this is generally not the case. Staying in school is one of the most important first choices you make because finishing with a diploma is the beginning of your career path. Students have numerous reasons for not completing school, but there are just as many reasons for staying in school but they chose not to realize them. An education can lead to endless opportunities, but without it the consequences can be severe. The choice of whether to stay in school should be simple, find the reasons to stay and end up with a more successful future. Background and History Someone with a high school diploma will have advantages over someone without. With the diploma it is easier to continue your studies to have greater advantages in professional paths. High schools also teach valuable lessons that will be used in adulthood and offer experiences that teenagers should encounter to help them shape as people. Everyone has a different life outside of school and may face worse circumstances than others. But school should be seen as an escape from the outside world because high school can seem harsh; life afterward tends to be harder. School can be a needed escape and a learning lesson for future obstacles. Some students cannot consider school as an escape from the outside world and are forced to abandon their studies. Other students feel that school is not a necessity or that something arises that they consider sufficient reason to drop out. Dropping out is defined as leaving school without a diploma or something equivalent such as a GED. There are... middle of paper... a reason to stay in school. Even if money doesn't buy happiness, it's nice to have it. Graduating from high school will earn you one hundred and forty-three dollars more from a job than from dropping out (Top 5 Reasons to Stay in School, 2013). My favorite part of graduating was showing everyone who didn't think I could do it, and showing others who might be considering dropping out, how awesome it is to be a graduate. Forget the reasons for dropping out and remember all the reasons to stay in school. . Graduating from high school may just be the beginning of a new life. Staying in school can increase your opportunities and future income. Even though it may seem like hard work, the result will always be worth it. Thinking about a successful future is much more exciting than thinking about the consequences you face if you drop out of high school. So stay calm and stay in school!