I pretty much dropped out at 8th grade. Got my diploma at 16 and at 17 am now taking classes at a city college and working a part-time job. I didn't like being treated like homogenized milk, so that is why I decided I'd rather set my foot out in the real world a little faster than other wise. Never even stepped foot in a high school class. High school in my opinion is a big waste of time for those who aren't interested in doing just that; wasting a large majority of their lives being impounded with the same lies taught to every other student on campus. College classes should be open to more students and instead of of us all being taught the same thing in the same way we should be taught based on how we learn, on our own strengths and weaknesses, and for what we want to pursue for those of us that already know. I wouldn't neccessarily say that school failed me if so then I'd have to say it fails more students than not, but rather school after 6th grade just seemed like a big game because the focus was taken off of actual learning; in turn blinding me to the resources that were open to me to utilize what I wanted out of school.
My number one advice for you is that if you do drop out make sure you get your GED or CHSPE as soon as possible. Many city colleges have free classes for the G.E.D. but you have to pay for testing and a study book.
also think about how many crackheads there are out there that started out quitting high school. they could only get a half decent job and had to start working the streets for extra cash. a hard night of depression and an angel shows up with a rock and promises to take all your worries away. you may say you wont take crack or heroine ever, but no one ever really planned to get addicted like they do
Don't let anyone scare you and tell you you're going to end up as a crackhead on the street if you don't finish high school or you just feel like takin' a break from learning because you've been a little burnt out on it because it's completely understandable. If you believe in yourself and you know you have a right to take a break then who is anyone to tell you that they know you better than you know yourself? That is a complete bullshit , toe-ringin' scare tactic that I can only identify with something as horrible as yellow journalism and media propaganda. I know that's not exactly what mintyelevatakid is saying, but to a vulnerable and already scared individual believe me that's all you're going to see. There are people out there who are so successfull that didn't even go to much school their whole lives and they're doing just fine. It all depends on your will and your desire hon on how much you want to accomplish here. Beside the fact, most crackheads and junkies are in that current because they've had one mothafuckin hard life and haven't gotten or wanted the help they needed for dealing with it and moving on. It really could be any number of explanations. The common societal scare tactic for keeping people enchained will not work on everyone and I find it pretty disturbing to see such a blatant stereotype present on such a supportive board as this one.
Another thing -- enroll your ass in some classes you find interesting at a city college when you feel you're ready to learn again AND the most important: have a plan or a goal set for the next five years and make sure you stick to it. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the fact that I was free to explore who I was and what I wanted to give to the world during the time I wasn't in school, but goals are definitely still needed no matter what.
Learning doesn't have to involve school, but if you want it to remember that it's always there to help get yourself where you want to be. That's all school in the real world entails. High school is more of a game and a test, but for many the education and teaching in high school breaks the spirit of learning. Take everything I said with a grain of salt -- this is just what I did and what I think. I'm only hoping that it helped ya out a little bit.
.Good luck friend.
