For the fifth year in a row Macon County High School and Red Boiling Springs High School freshman have participated in The Real World Experience a type of survivor challenge to see if they can make it in the "real world".
Students participate in the survivor version of reality based life that is presented by Tri-County Electric.
The experience is an active, hands on, real life simulation that gives students the opportunity to explore career choices and make lifestyle and budget decisions similar to those adults face on a daily basis.
At the beginning of the challenge each student receives a program with an occupation and salary. The salary is based on the grade point average the student has now. For instance, if a student has a lower grade point average they may have a job that is lower paying. If a student has a high grade point average they are more likely to hold a job that is more high paying.
This is designed to show the student that the grades they make in high school will influence the career choice they make in the future.
Another pre-determined factor is whether you are married and the number of children you have. If you are married your spouse's salary is $1000 per month.
The student is then given a brochure with different options. Including clothing, furniture, housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, communications, and child care.
A student is then required to visit each booth and budget their own money. They are required to visit certain booths before they can go onto the next booth. A student must have a house and purchase child care, if they have children, before they can purchase communications such as a cell phone.
The booths are sponsored by several local businesses including Carter Homes, Citizens Bank, Cumberland Bank, Farm Bureau of Macon County, Four County Wellness, MCHS Hospitality Committee, Macon Bank & Trust, Jennifer Hudson Macon County Circuit Court Clerk, Macon Department Store, North Central Securities, North Central Telephone, Real Deal Auto Sales, Save-A-Lot Foods, Tri-County Electric, C. Sue VanBlaricum, DDS; Macon County General Hospital, and Macon County DHS.
At the end of the program students are asked to complete a survey.
*Red Boiling Springs results:
1.) Do you see a relationship between your education now and your future salary? Yes 36 No 8
2.) After experiencing the "Real World" will you plan for the unexpected costs? Yes 42 No 2
3.) Were you able to save as much as you wanted? Yes 22 No 22
Awareness Questions...
a.) Budgeting your money
Stayed the same 24; Increased 19
b.) Making wise financial choices
Stayed the same 16; Increased 23
c.) Making career choices
Stayed the same 18; Increased 21
d.) Added expense of having a child
Stayed the same 12; Increased 30
e.) Importance of staying in school
Stayed the same 21; Increased 21
Comments from the students were:
My favorite part of Survivor 2005 was...
Seeing how real life is (5); everything (4); having fun (4); learning to manage money (3)
I think you should change:
Nothing (27); my income (2); the cops (2); the prices, an adoption agency; get rid of the crystal ball
*Macon County High School results
1.) Do you see a relationship between you education now and your future salary? Yes 154 No 16
2.) After experiencing the "Real World" will you plan for the unexpected costs? Yes 158 No 16
3.) Were you able to save as much as you wanted? Yes 77 No 93
Awareness Questions...
a.) Budgeting you money
Stayed the same 74; Increased 97
b.) Making wise financial choices
Stayed the same 60; Increased 108
c.) Making career choices
Stayed the same 76; Increased 92
d.) Added expense of having a child
Stayed the same 53; Increased 114
e.) Importance of staying in school
Stayed the same 59; Increased 104
Comments from the students were:
My favorite part of Survivor 2005 was...
Learning about life (33); job/career finding out how much money I'd be making (16); trying to manage money (17)
I think you should change...
Nothing (80); prices (9); salaries (7) grocery costs (4); number of kids (2)
Additional comments...
It was fun; I liked it; thanks; helps with future; I loved my job.
This year a new part of the program has been added. Ms. Diane Jones, Government/Economic senior teacher will keep the results and then discuss them again with the freshman when they are seniors. The class will discuss how they have changed in just four years. This is a way for the students to reflect again on the cost of living before they actually leave school and enter into the "Real World".
Each year sponsors and school administrators hope that the program will educate the young people of Macon County. They hope by offering this program each year the students will make wise choices about their grades and classes while at high school.
For more information or how to become involved in next year's store contact Tammy Dixon at Tri-County at 666-2111.
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