Section 1-1 Planning Your Future 11
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Gather Information
You can prepare for upcoming changes by fi nding out as much as
possible about them. What information will help you adjust to the changes
that lie ahead? Can you talk to someone who has already met those
challenges? Check with your teachers and school counselor for advice.
Develop Skills to Adjust
With patience and practice, you can develop the skills you need to
prepare for change. One important skill is perseverance or sticking to an
action or belief even when diffi cult. When you carefully decide a course
of action, never give in to the urge to quit, no matter how tempting. Pause
long enough to remind yourself what needs to be accomplished and why.
Another skill that will help you cope with change is resiliency.
This is the ability to adjust to setbacks and make changes that allow
you to survive and thrive. Being resilient means to bounce back when
something stands in your way. Keeping a positive attitude can help you
fi nd a way through hurdles you thought were impossible to conquer.
Remember that everyone gets discouraged from time to time, but you
have the ability to move on. Always fi nd a way to encourage yourself to
keep moving forward.
Manage the Change
The completion of high school will be a time of great change for
you. What career-related steps will you take? How will your schedule
change? Will you still be able to see your friends and family?
Take one step at a time, and recognize what needs to be done to bring
more certainty to every situation. The more you know about the changes
you will experience, the more confi dence you will have to face them.
1-3
You will face many
changes, challenges, and
opportunities throughout
your teen years.