Post High-School Memories and Home School

[Emberline]

High school was the worse time in my life though I only spent two semesters in it. I was home school for most and spent the first semesters of both 11th and 12th grade in public school (graduated early from 12th grade).
I still get anxious when I think about my first semester in public high school since it was the very worse time. Yea, the 12th grade semester was lonely and dull but 11th grade was just such a disaster that not even FEMA could fix it if they got involved.
I had terrible social anxiety, was freakishly over weight, managed easily to get an eating disorder that still runs my life, didn't have many friends (only 1 to be honest), hid in the bathroom during lunch, had nervous breakdowns at home all time, had a public breakdown at school...it wasn't great.
I'm thankfully that my mother understood that I wasn't ready for public school my freshmen and sophomore year (and after my public breakdown)- it's something a lot of kids can't do. Her and I both knew that I wasn't mentally stable enough to handle it. I think for all of those who have the same issues I had, should talk to their parents and see if home schooling is something that can be done. It did wonders for me to have my own space and time even though I did have a set back in 11th grade.
I am able to go to community college now and feel perfectly fine. I don't freak out. I don't feel watched. I'm ok.
Seriously guys, ask your parents if you can be home schooled if you are interested. It's worth it.

[Ario]

Some countries don't allow homeschooling, a lot of countries actually don't.

[Emberline]

Whoa, seriously? That's not right. :/

[Ario]

(07-02-2014 09:09 PM)Emberline Wrote:  Whoa, seriously? That's not right. :/

My country doesn't even have a GED system nor an equivalent of it, so... yeah.

[James Comey]

Ugh, sadly I know exactly how you feel. I mean, just passing by a high school now almost wants to trigger a panic attack inside me..... not good memories.

[xcriteria]

Unfortunately, a lot of parents refuse to consider homeschooling, for a variety of reasons.

One question I'm very interested in is, how can we help parents understand how school-as-usual isn't right for everyone, and that there are legitimate alternatives that are worth exploring.

My story:

Hidden stuff:

My parents refused to consider or discuss homeschooling or other options when I was in junior high and started seeing the problems with school as a learning environment. It wasn't until I was a junior in high school that I discovered the GED and persuaded my parents to let me drop out and continue to college a year early.

I eventually came to question college-as-usual... but I did find it to be better then earlier levels of school. These days, a lot of the contents of college is available online... as is some of the same kinds of connections and interactions (if you can find them.)

But having in-person space to interact with people has advantages as well... which is why it's sad that the only option for that is usually buying into a "sit down, shut up" model of education. :(

I think one way we can help parents understand is by sharing stories like yours and mine, and putting them in formats that help them see things from new angles.

Another thing we can do (and that I'm making a priority) is figuring out how to a sort of "unschooling program" that includes online mentorship, learning guidance, community, and opportunities for social interaction. Done well, I think that could provide a lot of what parents want in an educational experience... but which they often assume can't be provided through "homeschooling."

That's all a big reason I'm interested in School Survival transforming into a bit more parent-friendly, credible resource than it's tended to be... and/or work on parallel sites that focus on that goal. I think if we offered to talk to parents, help them explore options, and so on... especially alongside the various allies we have... it could go a long way.

One of parents' biggest questions regarding homeschooling is often, "how will my kid(s) develop social skills if they're at home all day?"

Any thoughts on how you'd respond to that, given your experience?

[brainiac3397]

My time in high school was marked with a massive degree of subpar personal potential.

So much so that even though it's been a year since I graduated, ex-classmates and those I knew during my highschool years mention how I've substantially changed in appearance, posture and attitude.

I guess being independent and confident(very confident) really has it's benefits.

[thewake]

High school was mediocre and there was bullying, but the worst happened in middle school. Kids were dick. Teachers were dicks. It wasn't a good time.

[James Comey]

(07-03-2014 04:40 PM)Weswammy Wrote:  High school was mediocre and there was bullying, but the worst happened in middle school. Kids were dick. Teachers were dicks. It wasn't a good time.

Some of the worst torture you can put a human being through is middle school.

[brainiac3397]

My 7th grade year was awful. It was like my dark ages.