Paving Your Path: What is next for High School Graduates

by Kim Nugent

It is no use taking a step without first deciding where you would like that step to lead you. The final years of high school are very important as one is required to firm their plans for the future. Often, this is a make or break time for anyone.

The first thing Dr. Kim Nugent advises is to get a mentor. Someone who will walk along with you on this journey. Not one who will simply tell you what to do and how to do it. This is a very personal journey. You cannot afford to give up autonomy on this. You cannot afford to be altruistic in your decision making either. ‘Paving your Path’ is a roadmap for mentee coaching. It provides a 30-week guide during which the mentor and mentee are taken through step by step of an appropriate and meaningful relationship.

It is quite lovely often author to use her personal story as the backdrop for this book. It humanizes it as well as provides a sort of secondary mentor for the reader. Her story is candid. It is filled with victories and losses in equal measure. This is designed to demonstrate that determination and drive to succeed really do matter for a person’s journey. Dr. Nugent’s journey was not conventional or traditional but she turned out well. This serves as encouragement. That is one of the greatest qualities of this book, it is incredibly encouraging. 

Two other things stand out of this book. First, the tone of writing gives off a sort of cool aunty vibe. The author just makes you want to pay attention and abide. She inspires and coaches the reader with just her tone of writing alone. The style of writing is very conversational. The second thing that stands out is the chronological plotting of material. The structure is very intentional and contributes to how well the material is consumed. 

Dr. Kim Nugent posits very simple suggestions like listening. However, her passion and sheer determination to inspire lead her to producing material of great value both personally and academically. 

This book is suitable for every single high school student. This is a turning point in their lives, the decision on direction must be made with precision. This book is also quite applicable to anyone who might be facing a fork in their life. It could be a between going back to school or more responsibility at work. The maxims in this book are really very universally applicable. 

Tackle the checklist of deliverables and gauge yourself. Are you passionate enough for the path you are choosing? Are you personally read to take that path? How is the mentor-mentee relationship working out? These are important questions that will be answered within the book. ‘Paving your Path’ should be a staple for graduating high school students. Five stars out of five for this book mostly for it’s necessity and brilliant presentation.