Sure they still have their exams ahead of them and many will no doubt go on to more studies at a tertiary level – but ultimately they have walked out of the school gates as a student for the last time. Or have they?

It is an exciting, and also somewhat daunting, time for these young adults. They have completed 13 years of primary and secondary school. They are stepping away from a childhood routine and are about to embark on life as an adult.

You need only a quick chat with any new school leaver to realise there are several key things they most look forward to leaving behind as they wrap up their school years.

Homework, regular exams and assessment tasks, uniforms, strict dress codes (makeup and jewellery rules), a regimented schedule five days each week and being answerable to teachers are usually top of the list of the things they won’t miss.

More independence, the chance to earn more money and travel are usually high on the list of things they look forward to experiencing in the future.

In fact, regardless of whether you graduated last year or many years ago most would agree an end to these restrictions and the chance for greater freedoms is something we all looked forward to when leaving school.

There is little doubt that these new graduates will experience a sense of freedom, but the reality is they will still have to follow rules and regulations, regimented schedules will be a part of daily life and they will always be answerable to someone.

They have spent 13 years learning maths, English, Science, geography, history and more, but possibly their greatest lessons are yet to come. 

While they may not realise it yet, their school experiences and the way they handled discipline, rules, regulations and even interaction with other students and staff will play an especially important role in their adult life.

They are now about to enter the school gates for life-long learning.

If they follow the rules, try hard, present themselves well, embrace the teachings and guidance of others and develop the skills to interact harmoniously with the many different types of people they will encounter, this stage of their learning should run smoothly.

Good luck to you all and here’s hoping the school of life treats you well.