High School Drop Out

I almost dropped out of high school. For various reasons. One was health concerns with a staph infection that I got from a major flood disaster. But the real reason was that I thought I was wasting my time. No real critical thought was encouraged or fostered. Why bother if you're just forced to memorize bullshit that you won't bother remembering later? It's quicker and more painless to get a GED.

Regardless my mommy somehow convinced me to stick with it and I've hated and resented her ever since. (Just kidding!) I stuck it out to be with friends, to cause trouble, and later went on to get mono which earned me a delay (vacation!!!!) college plans by a year.

Originally Posted by T0X1Qu3

How does someone cope knowing that they practically screwed up their future career and practically life?

It isn't screwing up your life. It's just taking a different path that's right for you. Don't let people pressure you into thinking that if you don't conform to their standards that you don't have a bright future ahead of you.

There's plenty of jobs that cater to GED/high school graduates. Such as working for the government. (Example: DMV) Pays about as good as a teacher with better benefits and less work. Teachers work longer hours, weekends, and have to go to college. (and usually graduate school after that)

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

Watts, these "people who pressure you" are the ones who are in a position to either hire you or not hire you, and if you think that high school drop-outs don't have a much harder time getting a job than graduates do, you're fooling yourself.

I'm merely stating the possibilities. Saying your life is over, or worthless because you chose a GED over a high school education is ludicrous.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

Let me get this straight: They cater to high school drop-outs? Something sounds wrong about that. Why would any organization do that?

No, it's just the minimum requirements. Ever heard of being 'over-qualified?'. A college education is hardly a guarantee of a stable job anymore. Plus the most lucrative jobs (left) that most GED/high school level education go after (now) are government jobs.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

Also, you say "have to go to college" as if it's some horrible fate worse than death.

Didn't mean to imply it that way.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

why wouldn't you want to be educated? Having a proper education does more than just getting people good jobs, it makes one a more interesting and well-rounded person.

How do you equate attending school with being a educated and a well rounded person? Pretty elitist statement. That's entirely possible without 'a proper education'. Some of today's (and yesterdays) most "successful" people defied society's expectations.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

Not saying it can't be done. But why take a chance that you might be one of the rare people who didn't get a good education and defied all the odds to become one of the most successful people, etc. etc., when you can take the tried and true route and be much more assured of success?

So you want to live your life without taking any risk? How droll.

Also, as I've stated a college education does not insure a life of success anymore. In fact a ever increasing amount of college graduates (in most the western industrialized nations) nowadays are going bankrupt. A disturbingly trend with ever increasing percentiles then what could be termed 'normal'.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

I wouldn't recommend that anyone drop out of school. I know there are people who did and ended up just fine, but you have to admit that usually isn't the case.

Depends on the motivation for dropping out. If it's being slothful or laziness then of course that's the usual case. That's not always the case.

What I really was trying to get across is that if you drop out make it for the right reasons and not the wrong ones. Because your goal(s) in life should be taking that next higher step.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

I also wanted to bring up the point that a lot of people in management positions seek out college graduates (or high school, I guess) not because they know so much more, but because they have demonstrated "stick-to-it-ness" and a sense of reliability and dedication by finishing school.

Now that's a valid point. But encouraging someone not to drop-out because they'd be a worthless member of society is just plain cruel.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

A good story on this can be found here. All factors should be considered for current and future college students.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...ck=1&cset=true

Originally Posted by Minion

Dropping out won't make you worthless. It's just likely to make you worth less to society. We need more garbage men and burger flippers, etc. than we need people in any other field.

The topic is about a high school education vs a GED, because that's the absolute minimum to make a living nowadays. Not "drop-out" and work a minimum wage job.

And America doesn't really 'need' any 'higher' fields, because America can and is outsourcing jobs to India or wherever.... even ones that require higher levels of education. Hence there's a lot more graduates filing bankrupcy early on in their lives. Now, I bet that make's a person feel useless. But dropping out of high school to pursue a GED? Please.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?