GED. Thoughts?

[remedyeli]

I'm just curious of what AP.net's view on the GED is.

My story.

I would like to first start off to say that I have already gotten mine. I couldn't stand my school at all. The public school that I had to go to was total shit. The building it is in used to be a casino, and they have over 200 students. Without offense to anyone, I feel that I can honestly say that 95% of the students are proud to be labeled rednecks. The school is only 4 years old, and all of the teachers haven't had any teaching experience. We didn't even have a cafeteria, gym, football field basketball court, ect. Also, I was literately the only person there who listened to anything off either a country and top hit radio station. I was 17 and in the 10th grade. In Elementary, I was held back a few years because I had trouble from my severe hearing loss, once I have gotten my hearing aids I was able to pass my classes. I have talked to my mom about home schooling, she did not want to do it. I have even tried talking to family members who did home schooling and moving in with them for periods of time, but it never worked out on our side.

I have always had a plan to finish high school until my freshman year. I lost everything I ever had in a house fire. We also had no insurance on our house at the time. That was a huge change in my life, for the good. It really did open my eyes. I never knew that I would be just as happy two days after I lost everything than before the fire. Ever since then I did not care to have a very high standard in living. All I cared about is that I would be happy, and I don't see how any amount of income would effect that (in reason).

I know that A LOT of people view the GED as a lazy way out, I'm not trying to change your view on it. I'm just saying that finishing high school may not be for everyone. It does not mean that a person is lazy, I see the GED a part of my unique life. I am fully aware that some places will not accept me for having my GED, and I am okay with that.

I apologize for any bad grammar and misspelled words if there are any. I posted this after 5:30AM and I have had lack of sleep.

[Crowan]

Well at least you have something, embrace your situation and as long your happy and content with it, screw the people who will look down upon you

[JimmyIymmiJ]

I agree that traditional high school is not for everyone, and that getting a GED may work out better for some people. However, I'm not sure I would classify a school with no cafeteria, gym, football field, etc. and rednecks who listen to crappy music as a really good reason to pursue that path. I definitely get what you're saying regarding being 17 in 10th grade. I see kids in 8th grade every day who are 15 or 16, and often they are kids with a disability that caused them problems in their earlier years before they were diagnosed. Now, I'm not sure about Georgia or any other areas, but the county I work for in Florida has several different programs designed specifically for people who have fallen behind for whatever reason. We have credit recovery programs that people can join that results in skipping a grade in order to get back closer to where they belong (if that is something that someone wanted to pursue), and we also have career centers where you can learn a trade and still get a regular high school diploma in the process (or take an early-exit GED while still receiving career training). Obviously, you have to do what's best for you but I personally think options like these are probably better in most cases.

[iAMhollyood315]

i feel given the circumstances of your situation, that was probably an acceptable option. It makes me feel very fortunate to have gone to the high school i went to. If you don't go to a 4 year school right off the bat, you could always go to community college for a year or 2 and transfer into a 4 year and it will be the same as everyone else whether they all finished high school or not.

[kaycey]

ahha!!!

[googirl8907]

I don't think it's a bad thing to get your GED as long as you go to college.

[leftapart]

So... you got your GED when you were 17, eh? You are still currently 17 years of age now. I'm guessing you just recently achieved this goal. Whenever you accomplish something, no matter what it is, you are always proud of yourself after the fact, and conceive ideas on what to do next. Right now this may seem like it was the right choice. But once you give it time, and are able to reflect on the poor decision you made, you are going to regret it. I doubt you will go to college if you couldn't even stand to finish high school since you 'hated' the people so much. You can still make a life for yourself without a high school diploma or college degree, but it will be harder. You can bash me for such a negative response to your sorry story in which you only posted for attention. But you shouldn't have posted this if you didn't expect this to happen. I don't agree with your choice and I feel you should have stuck it out at the school you were in, or at least find a different school to attend. Most towns have more than one high school and if not, you could have driven yourself, or taken a bus to different school. Anyways, what do you plan on doing with your life now?

[immorehxcthanu]

A lot of people have negative things to say about the GED but the truth is you basically have to cram all four years of high school into one test, it's obviously not easy. I graduated but I have friends who have gotten there GED for various reasons and they are really successful in life.

[remedyeli]

Thanks for the response everyone. And leftapart, I respect the fact that you don't agree with my decision. Like I said, it's not for everyone. Honestly I didn't think nearly as many would be as easy about it.

I would like to say that I did not pursue the GED path because of the other people at the school. I was just trying to put yourself in my shoes by explaining the kind of school I went to and how I just felt it simply wasn't for me in general. I didn't even feel like I should have been there.

I actually live in South Carolina if anyone would like to know. Augusta, GA is 10 minutes away and that's where I mostly am when just hanging out. I'm not sure about everywhere else, but to go to a different public school around here it would have cost me several thousand dollars a year plus gas. I didn't have that kind of money. When I picked up my GED test results, I was asked if I would like to go to their school. I'm not planning on doing it right now, but I'm keeping it as a option. My mom said that she would pay for my classes whenever I would like to take them.

I have been booking shows at a venue in Augusta for over 2 years. I dropped out at the end of last year, and took some-what of a break and toured a little with random bands. After I got back, I got a full time job and got to my GED.

What am I going to do now? I'm hoping to be a tour manager soon, I'm just taking things slow right now and trying to get a decent amount in the bank for a safety net.

I wish that I could just saty 17 forever and see how far I can get at this age. But unfortunately time moves on and I am turning 18 on the 25th of this month.


EDIT: immorehxcthan, I honestly didn't think it was hard at all. The only downer is that the test was 9 hours long. I had no problem at all passing it. Not trying to shoot your post down or anything, but that's just me. I can understand how it would be hard for someone who have waited years before taking it since they dropped out. But I didn't want to wait for long because I knew the sooner, the easier.
(http://www.absolutepunk.net/member.php?u=161275)

[.invisible ink.]

I don't think it's a bad thing to get your GED as long as you go to college.

this.