RIP School Survival Forums
August 2001 - June 2017

The School Survival Forums are permanently retired. If you need help with quitting school, unsupportive parents or anything else, there is a list of resources on the Help Page.

If you want to write about your experiences in school, you can write on our blog.

To everyone who joined these forums at some point, and got discouraged by the negativity and left after a while (or even got literally scared off): I'm sorry.

I wasn't good enough at encouraging people to be kinder, and removing people who refuse to be kind. Encouraging people is hard, and removing people creates conflict, and I hate conflict... so that's why I wasn't better at it.

I was a very, very sensitive teen. The atmosphere of this forum as it is now, if it had existed in 1996, would probably have upset me far more than it would have helped.

I can handle quite a lot of negativity and even abuse now, but that isn't the point. I want to help people. I want to help the people who need it the most, and I want to help people like the 1996 version of me.

I'm still figuring out the best way to do that, but as it is now, these forums are doing more harm than good, and I can't keep running them.

Thank you to the few people who have tried to understand my point of view so far. I really, really appreciate you guys. You are beautiful people.

Everyone else: If after everything I've said so far, you still don't understand my motivations, I think it's unlikely that you will. We're just too different. Maybe someday in the future it might make sense, but until then, there's no point in arguing about it. I don't have the time or the energy for arguing anymore. I will focus my time and energy on people who support me, and those who need help.

-SoulRiser

The forums are mostly read-only and are in a maintenance/testing phase, before being permanently archived. Please use this time to get the contact details of people you'd like to keep in touch with. My contact details are here.

Please do not make a mirror copy of the forums in their current state - things will still change, and some people have requested to be able to edit or delete some of their personal info.


Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.
Author Message
Will Offline
Fanatic

Posts: 1,362
Joined: Jan 2006
Thanks: 1
Given 29 thank(s) in 16 post(s)
Post: #1
Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

Life got much less horrible for me after I moved away from home for uni. I now appear to be successful in a very conventional sense.
  • I have saved enough money for retirement.
  • I am somewhat famous within a professional circle.
  • I sleep a lot.
  • I generally seem happy.
  • When I work, it's for things that sound smart and fancy.

I also seem reasonably proper and respectable. For example, I don't drink nor smoke, and it's hard to make me angry (because being angry is a lot of work).

So what would I possibly be doing on a silly website for lazy kids who don't want to go to school because they think they know what's good for them? Perhaps it's because I'm a lazy kid who doesn't want to go to school because I think I know what's good for me. Actually, I am much lazier now; I was in high school when I first joined the site, and the real world is way easier.

I recall that, about ten years ago, the reason I wanted to become conventionally successful was so that I could say ridiculous things like "Kids who hate school shouldn't have to go to school." and have normal people listen to me. I am now in this position!

I say ridiculous things like that all the time now, and people listen to me, but I usually don't talk about primary school nor secondary school. And only about an hour ago did I notice this omission of school talk.

Maybe you have some ideas about settings where I can spread dissent about school. Or maybe not. I'm writing this mostly because I couldn't sleep.
07-27-2015 05:42 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: SoulRiser , Aureate , vonunov , MrAnonymous , The man , Avatar Korra , DreamRebel , Lucas Gallindo , -SCS-
magikarp Offline
Valerie Solanas

Posts: 1,146
Joined: Jan 2007
Thanks: 4
Given 68 thank(s) in 47 post(s)
Post: #2
RE: Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

It depends what impact you're trying to have - surprisingly enough, you don't have to be all that successful to get away with saying things like that. I'm only successful in the sense that my parents wouldn't be embarrassed to tell people what I'm doing (badly-paid but somewhat important-sounding job, did a talk somewhere that sounds smart and fancy last week, going to grad school in the fall), and while people are not necessarily convinced, they don't dismiss it outright.

So, the short answer is talk about it when it comes up. (Probably frame this is terms of what you wish you had done in high school instead of what you would do with your own hypothetical children, because that is a thing that tends to annoy parents.)

"Do we treat straight public sex differently than we do gay public sex? Of course. Straight people are so proud of their public sex that they named a cocktail after it."
07-27-2015 10:44 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: SoulRiser , The man , Avatar Korra
SoulRiser Offline
Site Founder

Posts: 18,240
Joined: Aug 2001
Thanks: 2669
Given 1978 thank(s) in 1208 post(s)
Post: #3
Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

I almost kind of wish I looked more un-respectable at first glance so that I could get stupid reactions out of people (like the old "you'll never get anywhere"), so that I can then laugh at them when I explain that I make money in my sleep. But I don't really come across such obnoxious people very often anyway (it's almost like they actually disappear after one loses contact with most parents and teachers... or is it just me?).

Most people are just jealous of me. Then again, I can't really tell people much about how I think people shouldn't have to go to school, because of course I'm an "exception" and all that. Do people ever consider you an exception?

Quote:Probably frame this is terms of what you wish you had done in high school instead of what you would do with your own hypothetical children, because that is a thing that tends to annoy parents.
I want to annoy the shit out of most parents I come across for some reason. Evil

I've gotten into a couple of arguments with some people about how hitting kids is wrong, but not much about school. I guess because most people who know me already know my stance on that...

If you really want to spread it around, maybe print it on a t-shirt or bumper sticker and wear it everywhere you go?

"If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them." - Dalai Lama
Help & Support - Get help with leaving school, unsupportive parents, and more.
Click here if school makes you depressed or suicidal

Support School Survival on Patreon or Donate Bitcoin Here: 1Q5WCcxWjayniaL92b8GfXBiGdfjmnUNa2
"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." - André Paul Guillaume Gide
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein
"I'm pretty sure there's a lot of beauty that can only be found in the mind of a lunatic." - TheCancer
EIPD - Emotionally Incompetent Parent Disorder

Push Button for Collection of Useful Links:
Hidden stuff:
07-27-2015 11:26 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: The man , Avatar Korra
xcriteria Offline
Fanatic

Posts: 3,090
Joined: Oct 2005
Thanks: 814
Given 930 thank(s) in 612 post(s)
Post: #4
Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

Thanks for posting! And welcome back. It's good to hear from you.

I have all kinds of ideas about settings and ways to spread the word; this is a major focus of my life. If you'd like to connect with a lot of others with similar interests, there are some groups on FB that are worth joining (if you're on there or open to making an account, like Dialogue on Education.) I also have a (newish) organization called Catalyst Learning Network with a core goal of spreading the word, as well as helping create viable alternatives to traditional school that families might be open to, vs. the common (mis)conceptions about homeschooling. ([url=
]Here's a list of things Catalyst is working on.[/url])

If you'd like to learn more about the range of adults who are also vocal about the problems with factory-model schooling, and the many paths to success without it, there's a lot to dive into. I've found a pretty big network of them over the past few years. But a huge gap remains between all that, and the reality of school and parenting for a lot of young people.

So many people are struggling in increasingly outdated and test-driven school, and/or figuring out life beyond it, when their parents and others in their lives aren't open to thinking beyond school... college... job, even when you don't need high school for college, and college isn't the only path to success, or a guarantee of it.

Peter Gray & allies launching the Alliance for Self-directed Education

ASDE Newsletters: #1 Announcement | #2 History of ASDE | #6 Education Liberation


School Survival & Catalyst Learning Network featured on AlternativestoSchool's blog
“Mom, Dad, can I stop going to school?”

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when the Stakes are High

Hidden stuff:
07-28-2015 01:21 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: Lucas Gallindo
brainiac3397 Offline
Machiavellian Amoeba

Posts: 9,823
Joined: Feb 2013
Thanks: 20
Given 1983 thank(s) in 1428 post(s)
Post: #5
RE: Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

Pfft. I already beat you to it(at least in the sense I've posted about it before ya).

Congrats anyways.

Personality DNA Report
(06-14-2013 08:02 AM)Potato Wrote:  watch the fuq out, we've got an "intellectual" over here.

Hidden stuff:
[Image: watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme-240x180.png]
Brainiac3397's Mental Health Status Log Wrote:[Image: l0Iy5HKskJO5XD3Wg.gif]
07-28-2015 09:36 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Will Offline
Fanatic

Posts: 1,362
Joined: Jan 2006
Thanks: 1
Given 29 thank(s) in 16 post(s)
Post: #6
RE: Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

Thanks for the responses!

Quote:I almost kind of wish I looked more un-respectable at first glance so that I could get stupid reactions out of people (like the old "you'll never get anywhere"), so that I can then laugh at them when I explain that I make money in my sleep.
I love doing this. I tell people that I do "odd jobs" and that my work "isn't interesting", which are both true, and then they sometimes give me career advice. And then I listen. And I probably make more money than they do. I think this helps me get over the "imposter syndrome" that people recently like talking about.

More response later.

It might be nice to respond less publicly so I can reference things I have done and still remain pseudononymous.
07-30-2015 03:13 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: SoulRiser , The man
SoulRiser Offline
Site Founder

Posts: 18,240
Joined: Aug 2001
Thanks: 2669
Given 1978 thank(s) in 1208 post(s)
Post: #7
Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

Quote:I love doing this. I tell people that I do "odd jobs" and that my work "isn't interesting", which are both true, and then they sometimes give me career advice. And then I listen. And I probably make more money than they do. I think this helps me get over the "imposter syndrome" that people recently like talking about.
Giggle
That sounds like fun.

"I'm unemployed, but every now and then I find something to do for a little while... but most of the time I just don't work."

I mean, most of the time people assume it's a binary, either you're employed or unemployed...

Now all I need is to meet more people to test stuff on... without someone else around to introduce me before I even get a chance to speak (that happens a lot for some reason).

"If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them." - Dalai Lama
Help & Support - Get help with leaving school, unsupportive parents, and more.
Click here if school makes you depressed or suicidal

Support School Survival on Patreon or Donate Bitcoin Here: 1Q5WCcxWjayniaL92b8GfXBiGdfjmnUNa2
"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." - André Paul Guillaume Gide
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein
"I'm pretty sure there's a lot of beauty that can only be found in the mind of a lunatic." - TheCancer
EIPD - Emotionally Incompetent Parent Disorder

Push Button for Collection of Useful Links:
Hidden stuff:
07-31-2015 09:33 AM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Will Offline
Fanatic

Posts: 1,362
Joined: Jan 2006
Thanks: 1
Given 29 thank(s) in 16 post(s)
Post: #8
RE: Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

I think I need to surround myself with people who respect my accomplishments and are also very into school and have no idea that my views on schooling are what they are.

Specific news on me
07-31-2015 10:00 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
James Comey Away
Banished Oldfaf in Exile

Posts: 6,500
Joined: Aug 2013
Thanks: 1078
Given 2293 thank(s) in 1517 post(s)
Post: #9
RE: Once-active SS-user is now conventionally successful. Discuss.

(07-27-2015 05:42 PM)Will Wrote:  Life got much less horrible for me after I moved away from home for uni. I now appear to be successful in a very conventional sense.
  • I have saved enough money for retirement.
  • I am somewhat famous within a professional circle.
  • I sleep a lot.
  • I generally seem happy.
  • When I work, it's for things that sound smart and fancy.

I also seem reasonably proper and respectable. For example, I don't drink nor smoke, and it's hard to make me angry (because being angry is a lot of work).

So what would I possibly be doing on a silly website for lazy kids who don't want to go to school because they think they know what's good for them? Perhaps it's because I'm a lazy kid who doesn't want to go to school because I think I know what's good for me. Actually, I am much lazier now; I was in high school when I first joined the site, and the real world is way easier.

I recall that, about ten years ago, the reason I wanted to become conventionally successful was so that I could say ridiculous things like "Kids who hate school shouldn't have to go to school." and have normal people listen to me. I am now in this position!

I say ridiculous things like that all the time now, and people listen to me, but I usually don't talk about primary school nor secondary school. And only about an hour ago did I notice this omission of school talk.

Maybe you have some ideas about settings where I can spread dissent about school. Or maybe not. I'm writing this mostly because I couldn't sleep.

Wherever you are Will, I hope you're having a lot of success.

School Survival Success Story.

RIP GWEDIN
RIP URITIYOGI
RIP NIGHT
RIP VONUNOV
RIP WES/THEWAKE
RIP USERNAME

[Image: Nas-One-Love.jpg]

Stop jerking off to porn and whining and do something about it

Make School Survival Great Again - MSSGA

Hidden stuff:

[Image: BallsofSteel2.png]
[Image: mg_michelle_2020.png]
04-19-2017 04:58 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
 Thanks given by: Avatar Korra
Post Reply 


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  How will school make me successful? MusicAndFruits1092 12 6,675 05-24-2016 02:23 PM
Last Post: navitasharma
  Successful guide to cutting school? SH☮TGUNHEⒶRT 22 32,783 07-30-2015 01:16 PM
Last Post: brainiac3397
  Why I Haven't Been (Or Will Be) Active. Subb 21 8,183 03-21-2015 01:54 AM
Last Post: xcriteria
  Some thoughts from a new user. Just A Minor Threat 18 8,837 08-07-2013 11:17 PM
Last Post: no
  My epic, successful (kinda) skipping of a whole school day. username01462781 18 9,728 03-03-2010 04:57 PM
Last Post: Coma Girl
  Discuss this Quote CrayolaColours 9 3,684 10-27-2009 08:08 AM
Last Post: CrayolaColours
  Just another reason to ditch...and a successful one. Fuckthesystem 5 3,499 02-26-2009 12:04 PM
Last Post: Amortisatie
  are there any adults that are successful on this site? guitarniac 14 4,750 07-18-2007 02:36 AM
Last Post: SoulRiser
  Lets Discuss The Vt Shooting ( this will be interesting ) X 48 8,463 05-29-2007 09:29 AM
Last Post: Guest

Forum Jump:


User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

Contact Us | School Survival | Return to Top | Return to Content | Mobile Version | RSS Syndication