Job offer.

[buttercup132]

Having to complete a project or a paper is too much of a challenge???

Uh it's obviously harder then that, but you do a great job making me feel even more dumb.

and your biggest goal is to get a horse

I never said that was my biggest goal in life..

[KittyGurl]

Uh it's obviously harder then that, but you do a great job making me feel even more dumb.

Well, if it is too challenging why do you just tell us what the assignment is and maybe someone can help you out. Have you ever asked your parents for help?

[Giselle]

Buttercup, don't feel like none of us know what you're going through. I'm a Junior. I'm going through the worst year of high school, what with worrying about my grades, the SAT I's, the SAT II's, the ACT, and the dreaded English term paper.

I know. It's tough. You feel like giving up half the time. But here's one thing that separates the achievers from the wishers: Commitment.

You have to commit. You can't settle for C's and D's. You have to want yourself to succeed and you have to commit to that. How many hours do you spend on Pet Talk? Cut it down to half, and spend the rest of that time studying. I really shouldn't be on PT right now, but I know myself and my schedule well enough to budget my time efficiently. There are days when I skip using the computer for many days. Sacrifice your computer and your current job before you sacrifice your education and a hope of a better life.

Don't quit school!!!!

[KittyGurl]

Well said Giselle. Good advice!

[Alysser]

Alicia, if you ask anyone in high school on here, we all know what you're going through. I know, it's tough. I just started Freshmen year, although we have to go through all the 8th grade crap, I know it is going to get harder. MUCH harder, whenever you advance to another grade. Aren't you a senior? If so, then just finish this year off. It'll do you good, and it can't hurt. Although you may be stressing right now with it, this will be your last year of school, you DON'T need to go to college but as everyone said finish High School. I get B's and C's and D's to. Hey, it's still passing. As long as you pass, you'll be fine.

[jennielynn1970]

Uh it's obviously harder then that, but you do a great job making me feel even more dumb.

I never said that was my biggest goal in life..

I don't make you feel any way. Only you can make yourself feel dumb.

What I want to do is shake your shoulders for wanting to take the easy way out. Don't give up because of a challenge. Get a tutor, or a peer tutor. Form a study group or find one that is already formed. I'm sure you're not the only one who has problems in school, and others would benefit from help as well.

Look at the kids who have disabilities, mental and physical, and they stay the course. They face challenges that you could never even imagine.

Finish your senior year. Seriously. You're SOOOO close to the end. Don't give up now. You'll kick yourself in the end.

[kuhio98]

Don't quit school! You are limiting your options for the future. Most jobs require at least a high school diploma. Who wants to hire someone who couldn't be bothered to at least finish high school?

You may not want to be a groomer a 5 years from now. You don't know what the future holds. You may change your mind tomorrow. But, that's what being young is all about. Trying out new things and seeing where they take you.

If you want to own your own business, you have to know a lot. You have to know what you're doing or the right questions to ask to hire people who do know what their doing. How will you know if someone is cheating you in your business?

Please quit telling yourself that you're dumb. That's a cop-out. What you may be is stressed, depressed and looking to take what seems to be the easy way out. In the long run, it will be much harder to make a living if you cut and run now. If you quit, it will get easier and easier to quit on yourself.

Please stay in school. You just might learn something -- maybe about yourself.

[moosmom]

You think writing a paper or completing a project is a challenge??? Try being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on your brain stem at the age of 16, going through major brain surgery and having to learn to walk, talk, dress, and feed yourself all over again. That and keeping up with your studies to graduate with the rest of your class. THAT little girl, is a REAL challenge. And THAT is what my daughter had to go through. She never once complained how tough she has it.

So while you're having a pity party about how "tough" life is for you, I suggest you grow up and make your parents proud by graduating. This way they don't have to refer to you as their high school dropout.

[caseysmom]

Seriously you are getting good advice even if it is coming out kind of harsh. Who cares what anyone else thinks, do this for yourself I promise you will be glad later. I hated high school but a year after I graduated I went to college and loved it, I would have never thought I would.

[Catty1]

Saw a program on the news the other night.

There was a counsellor talking about how about 40 - 60% of high school students are doing self-harm - cutting themselves, excessive piercings, etc.

One of the stress factors he mentioned was homework just getting piled on the kids.

There are many stories of bright people in the wrong kind of training - Einstein was a high-school dropout.

BC, first find out if the GED would cost you anything, or if you could do it through the school system where you are. I think you need to do this at your own pace - just make sure you KEEP the pace - and I hope you can have access to tutors that wouldn't cost you too much, or be covered for the cost somehow.

The GED books tell you what you need to know for the test. See your school counsellor - they aren't there just for emotional troubles, they help with school stuff as well. Maybe there is a way to do some courses online, as a compromise? Maybe you need to be at another school. Tell the counsellor what you told us - how impossible and overwhelming it is. See if there are other options you can work with.

ETA: How about working, and splitting your senior year over one year and one summer - or even two years?

It isn't always the student's fault. Some need a different way to learn what is needed to be learned. My mom was a teacher of all levels and kinds of kids for over 40 years, and she knows that.

Like the "Fame" school, or the ballet and music schools in old Russia, it would be great to have an educational place that included your grooming skills!

In any case, talk over this option with a professional at the school, and even maybe see if you can talk to some folks who did the GED and are doing fine a few years on.

Not everyone is an academic - and it can be sheer h*** to struggle being a square peg in a round hole for years.

[jennielynn1970]

There are many stories of bright people in the wrong kind of training - Einstein was a high-school dropout.

It isn't always the student's fault. Some need a different way to learn what is needed to be learned.

Like the "Fame" school, or the ballet and music schools in old Russia, it would be great to have an educational place that included your grooming skills!

Not everyone is an academic - and it can be sheer h*** to struggle being a square peg in a round hole for years.

While alternative schools are a good option, normally one does not wait until their senior year to change course.

People do learn in different ways, and many times learning disabilities are diagnosed and adaptations are made in school. In the US it's called an IEP (Individual Educational Program or Plan), and if the child is learning disabled or gifted, or has any kind of disability, they normally are evaluated and have one of these implemented in at least middle school.

I was a business major in high school. I had Bs and Cs and wasn't a fan of school. I went to community college and discovered that there were so many other options out there, and teaching styles and courses offered were just as varied. I'm the first one who will tell you that I NEVER thought I'd ever have my masters degree, let alone be an educator myself. Not saying that college is a necessary, but high school, finishing school, that's just a no brainer.

Stay in school. You're a senior. If you drop out, the odds of you going back are slimmer than someone who drops out of college and wants to go back.

Make finishing your senior year your goal for now. Rise to the challenge. Teachers normally don't set you up to fail... they give you what they think you can accomplish, even if it will be a challenge. If you are given a certain amount of work, then the expectation is that you CAN achieve the goal of finishing it. Some of our lowest level kids achieve more than anyone would have ever thought they could have because the teachers they had believed in them. You have to believe in yourself as well.

Don't make excuses for yourself. You can do what you set your mind to. I'm sure if it was something that you wanted, you'd do it no matter what others said, even if you knew it was next to impossible to achieve.

[Karen]

Sweetie, I know we all seem to be ganging up on you, but I do hope you continue with your schooling. Meet with a school counselor, and see if you could do some compromise between your course load and work, and maybe get some class credit for work.

Why? When you plan on having your own business? Because every business needs capital - as in money. A bank is going to have serious questions about lending you money for your business without a high school diploma.

Seriously, not that you haven't thought about this, but do sit down with someone you can trust at school. This is a huge decision, and not having a high school diploma can make life much more difficult than it needs to be.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Meet with a school counselor, and see if you could do some compromise between your course load and work, and maybe get some class credit for work.

We had something like that at my high school. The kids took the required courses- history, science, english, and math. Rather than taking elective courses they were allowed to leave school early to go to work. They had to work a certain number of hours and their boss had to sign off on those hours.

Just something to think about- if you decide to leave school to work full time will your parents continue to support you? Will they let you continue to live with them? Will you need to pay them rent? Will you still be on your parents insurance?

Good luck with whichever you decide.

[wolf_Q]

I started out working as a bather after high school. I'm a groomer now, I have been for a few years...I've been working there for 5 years now. It is a good job, I enjoy it, however, it is not a wage I can live by myself on. If I were married and there were two sources of income, it would be fine, but with just me I'll never be able to afford a house. That is why I'm going to college to get a degree and possibly earn a higher wage. Now its possible the wages are better where you are, and I know that I could actually make more money if I groomed more dogs...but I'm not willing to give up quality for quantity. Personally, I think you would be better to finish high school. There is always a need for groomers and you will be able to find another grooming job. But it's your life and your decision, good luck with whatever you decide.

[moosmom]

contructive