Should I take my Abitur or not?

That's a good question! In fact, many people graduate from high school because they simply go back to school after the holidays without giving it a second thought .

I could just do an apprenticeship, then I would earn money much earlier and wouldn't have to waste 3 years

Correct! However, in order to start an apprenticeship in two weeks instead of going back to school, you would have had to apply for that apprenticeship in a timely manner. This means the first answer to your question is:

• Because you didn't bother to do anything else.

But there are still enough apprenticeships available for 2024, meaning you could still apply right now. But you won't, because of the second reason:

• Because you have no idea what you would like to do professionally.

But you could also quickly figure that out now. Researching careers today, applying tomorrow… but that won't work either, because of the third reason:

• You won't see the point in wasting at least two of your vacation days researching careers, writing applications, and talking to companies offering training.

And for all these reasons, you, like absolutely every other student who is not yet ready for working life, will simply go back to school after the holidays in two weeks without giving it a second thought.