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Thoughts on dropping out
I've been unable to handle the pressures of high school this year. I'm a senior, and a very slow one, if you know what I mean. I'm failing some major classes due to a strong lack of interest and my finals are during this week. In my chemistry class I've learned almost nothing. I don't remember any of what I really did learn, and it's not just because of my lack of interest. I've recently noticed that reading has become increasingly difficult for me to do on my own. I cannot stay on task and I end up skipping sentences or misread things. Even when I ask for help I still can't understand what's going on. I'm also having issues in dealing with my peers. They proudly lack interest in anything that doesn't involve quite a bit of inappropriate topics. It agitates me. The classes that I enjoy, from what I've been told, have to be put aside for the requirements to be fulfilled in order for me to graduate. Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way. It's come to the point where I'm so stressed that I feel ill. I've begun to consider dropping out and hopefully pursuing an education in what I want and not what the school claims that I need. My mom told me that if I do drop out that my chances of getting into college are still possible but I'd need to make up the credits that I didn't get. She also advised me to figure out the pros and cons of this decision. As much as I'd like to graduate with my friends and get a scholarship, it doesn't seem possible where I'm at now. What would be the best thing to do?
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I know what you are going through because I am a senior in high school as well! However, I chose to do online school instead of public for different reasons but I have been to public school. From what you are saying, it seems like you might have dyslexia, or some other type of learning problems. That doesn't mean you're "slow" it just means you need extra help. I took Chemistry last year (and failed) but that doesn't matter. What I'm trying to say is that school can be tough for anybody. Maybe, try to explain this to a school counselor, teacher or parent. Whatever you do, don't drop out. It is so hard to find a job without a high school degree or even college! I know you said that your chances are still possible to get into a college but honestly it's not possible unless if you have all your credits and you'll be behind. The best solution in this scenario is to talk to your school counselor. If you don't want to take that route then just wing the rest of the year lol
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Okay, I understand you feel pressures of your Sr. year. What I dont know is if this is something new compared to your other years at H.S. or if this is a pattern where you have kinda barely skated thru getting the needed grades to pass on to the next grade each year. Being the last year to get things right if you've not been applying yourself, or having difficulty with learning that may be an actual learning disorder, is definitely a way to feel extreme pressure to be able to graduate. The things you shared, and the words you used cause me to think that there is some unknown yet factor that is contributing to or causing the problems you are having.
I don't remember any of what I really did learn
Reading has become increasingly difficult for me to do on my own.
I cannot stay on task
I end up skipping sentences or misread things.
Even when I ask for help I still can't understand what's going on.
To support you, frankly, that doesnt sound like a person who is goofing off, not serious about getting an education, even though you mention losing interest. It is easy to lose interest when the going is too tough for you in the first place and its easier to want to give up.
Also, schools are set up to teach in only one teaching style so if your way of learning is different from the way used in schools, (mine was) a person can find many subjects hard to learn and master.
Could it be ADD, Attention deficit? Perhaps. You didn't mention whether you have been checked for that and ADD ruled out. So in addition to a learning disorder, it could be other sorts of things. YOu said you ask for help and still it doesnt help.
I am adding a link to an article on lot of possible things that can affect learning.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Usually, these problems would have been present all along but perhaps not recognized. These things dont just show up in ones last year of H.S.
If these are new problems related to just this year, perhaps something changed in your life, or the family's to distract you enough to cause attention problems to snowball. It can be as simple as Dad lost job and is looking for a new one, a grandmother you were close to died, or perhaps its a combo of all sorts of things including intake of too much sugar which will produce the same effects of ADD. Have you started a habit of using energy drinks like Red Bull this past school year. It seems to be an epidemic among young people who see no problem with it but it can affect some people with ADD symptoms which will affect your ability in school. I dont know you and your situation well enough to be able to pin point the actual issue or issues but I am betting there are things behind this and its not just a lack of your trying or lack of desire and willpower. Its important to discover what is causing these issues cus even if you drop out and just manage to pass a GED, learning disabilities or whatever it is, will follow you into any job you try to do and if you can't learn all the details of a new job, you aren't going to keep a job and the depression will continue to grow due to your situation. I'd have a talk with Mom. Show her the article and what I've written. In the article they also mention things like aspergers, and other things on the Autism spectrum of disorders. My husband is a highly functioning autistic. No one meeting him would know it. He is very intelligent but certain subjects were beyond him to grasp in the way taught. Someone finally taught him to just memorize what a word looked like to get the spelling so writing and spelling still is hard for him and he's always asking me to spell fairly simple words. If for some reason you have something like this, it would be sooo easy for parents and school to miss it. The only way he learned he had it is that when his parents went thru marriage counseling, the counselor wanted to speak privately with all the kids to see how the problems affected them and that psychologist is the one who discovered my husband was highly intelligent, way beyond his peers but he just couldn't prove it in school and so he got bored with it too as he struggled. He was tested and info gathered, what little they knew back then, and concluded he was a highly functioning autistic. There are still days when too much input and things not going smoothly can try his patience and he might whine or curse at times but he has learned thanks to the pychologist and many meetings with him, how to come up with ways to learn to handle what his disability is and to still be able to function and reach his end goals. So, I think its time to at least rule out that there aren't any disabilties lurking that are causing your problems, ones that are hard to detect. Come to think of it, many things are hard to detect in a person. My 1st husband had mental illness but I and no one else could see it. Although married to him, I noticed how he got worse over the years and it caused him to mistreat me. A counselor caught it but he didnt want the help... I hope this gives you some hope.
You may not graduate this year but if theres something that can be done for you like training how to get around a disability to still pass classes, then summer school or repeating the year may do it. Or you may just decide to get your GED. But I would highly give this some thought dear. I wish you the best. Do talk to Mom and share this.
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I have a son in a similar situation, I told him all along what was gonna happen, but he didn't really listen, now I'm telling him to get as many credits as possible , if it takes him another summer to get the credits he needs for a diploma so be it , maybe he wasn't ready for all the pressure there is when growing up, some people take longer than others,no matter what if you hang in , and keep trying hard it will all work out in the end .coming back next year to get two or three more credits is not such a bad thing you will be better prepared for the future, I'm sure you will have a great future , long as your patent or loved one shears you in the right direction. PS its a long race. So pace yourself its important that you finish. Billy
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Dropping out without a plan to get the credits you require to graduate, would be 100% moronic. Unless you cannot function in a school environment, and are breaking down or feeling suicidal, you should continue your schooling until you have another plan in place.
Sorry. It's really that straightforward.
What you need to do is find out what credits you require and how you can get them. Speaking to a counsellor at school might be really helpful—they can usually direct to appropriate online classes or alternate schooling arrangements.
"Dropping out" is dumb. Changing the way you get your schooling so you are a more effective and successful student is what you need to do. That starts, but speaking to a school counsellor and investigating programs in your area that will allow to get the credits you need in other ways.
You should also see a doctor, and talk about your physical experiences of stress, and your difficulties. The problems you describe are not unique. Lots of young people can feel overwhelmed. It's worth making sure that there are no underlying physical problems that are making matters even worse.
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