Greetings, I expect to get a lot of idiotic answers to this, but I hope that there will be a few intelligent answers to this topics. This is just so I can get some feedback. Highschool has been a hard time for me, my first year of highschool I did online schooling. I didn't really have a teacher but I could use this tutor program. Well, it didn't work out and I failed Algebra 1. I passed all other classes with decent grades. Now, here comes my Sophmore year, I am trying to go to this really nice Private School as I have been in private school most of my life, this private school is sponsored by our church so I only have to pay 200 a month to go to school. Without it there would be NO WAY to afford it. The school is a state away but a private school down here who didn't offer High School before is going to go through the school in another state using technology. Basically they had a setup with screens and everything so we could get a live stream of the teacher and ask questions, etc. Well, we go down there to get signed up and everything, and guess what, the school I went to for 9th grade, didn't respond with my progress report or anything. They wont answer nothing, and they seem to have been a scam. So, basically I have to go through 9th grade again. And I do sadly I pass all my classes first semester because for some reason I have to take Pre-Algebra over again, then second semester I took Algebra 1 and english. Well in the day schedule Algebra 1 was first then English. Well, Algebra 1's teacher was extremely hard and zoomed through the lessons. Also, I couldn't seem to grasp her way of teaching, and by the time Algebra ended, I was wasted so I did bad in English. To make it simple, I failed Algebra 1 AND English. That now makes 2 times I failed Algebra 1. Neither are really of my fault. Since I got out, I was going to do Summer school at a Public School, we look into it and they already finished! So, I have 2 choices. Study this summer and take a large test to pass which I will most likely fail, or take it all over again with the same teacher who I had a problem with, and miss 2 Sophmore classes. Even if I pass the end test, I will have Geometry with the same teacher that did Algebra 1. And I can't understand her teaching AT ALL! Basically, since my dad died several years ago I have taught myself everything. I need someone who is there to help me ONLY when I have a question. I need to learn it myself and only have someone to answer my questions for me. I know I am not stupid, hell I find myself more intelligent than most of those around me and around my age. There are only a select few I can talk to that are on my level and can understand me. I have taught myself several coding languages, graphic abilities, and many of the things I do in school because I can't find people who teach the way I learn. To make it simple, I have failed Algebra twice, I am tired of school as the teachers can not teach me properly and I end up teaching myself anyway, and I am starting to completely hate school. School has become a constant stress to me, besides I have so many other things I am working towards. Currently I know xHTML, CSS, PHP, mySQL, and how to use several graphics programs. I taught myself all of that just so I could create myself a life online where I didn't have to have a college diploma just to get a job when even with a College Diploma a job was not guaranteed. Basically my reason for this post is to get some advice. Currently I feel that when I hit 18, to drop out of highschool. Because I am a grade behind although I have amazing skills. But as usual I have to be logical, I have to consider the possibility of my coding and design skills not making me successful enough to live without a high school diploma or a college diploma. What do you think I should do? Have you had any success without passing highscool? I am fairly sure I will only fail algebra again. I know that without a High School Diploma I probably wont have a chance in the real world, but the digital world could be different. So, do you have advice, comments, or anything for me? If you can't write a good post, please DO NOT post at all. I only want intelligent people to post, not some stupid peon trying to bring his post count up with useless posts. I am asking for your help because I am at an end here and I seriously can't take to much more before I completely shut down and give up. Currently I am 17 years old, my brother is 31 and still lives with my mom, and no way in hell do I want to be like him, E V E R! But I also believe that highschool will bring me no where as I am already intelligent and if I want to learn anything I just have to teach myself. Thank you so much for reading and thank you even more if you reply with a good post, -Ryu
Without a 4 year college degree you won't have a chance in the real world. It's good to have a backup career just in case things don't go your way in the online realm. But hey, if you can make a decent living doing coding and website design online, more power to you. I just hope you're someone with good work ethic. "Smart" kids who flake out of highschool all seem to be unreliable when it comes to getting things done. Talk is cheap. No one gives a shit about how smart you think you are. Let's see what you can do with your coding and design skill.s
i didn't go to collage , i was studied from online ... now i am making $30 k a month from software , webmaster , designs etc ...
Thank you for your answer, and I understand that without College chances in the real world are nearly impossible. I have been thinking that maybe it is time for me to advance my online skills and actually start working for some money instead of doing things for free just for practice. I agree that most people who quit high school end up flipping burgers at McDonalds for most of their life if they are lucky. That's why I am so hesitant, I need to find out just how possible my online career is. And trust me, before I considered myself a complete idiot, and at times I still do but I have found there to be a lot less intelligent people around me. But my self confidence has risen a little bit since then. Anyone else with some comments? Thanks, -Ryu
Not true. There are a lot of people who doesn't have a 4 year college degree, yet they still find their ways to make their careers successful. Just like Lucio Tan who studied Chem Eng but never graduated.
Bro, here's what I would do if I were you. Take the GED test so you can get high school over with, and once you have your high school diploma from passing the test, enroll in a community college. Take some classes in web design/coding so you can refine what you already know, and you'll actually be able to say that you have college level education in web development (which will help you a lot in credibility compared to just saying you studied books in your room). From there, it's all up to how you want to do things online. Just make sure you get your education.
Go Ahead and do the Repeat... Then, when you hit 18, resign from school. I say that against my better judgment because of the many things BESIDES the "education" that you receive in a interactive (with other LIVE people) environment. It is somewhat obvious, from your post/question, that you already have made your decision. The reason for my reply should be just as obvious... Best of luck, and... Be Well! ECS Dave
Actually I haven't made my decision, there are so many factors to consider I don't know what to do, besides I have to talk to my mom and see if she will even let me... Ryu
It's all about what you think you can do. If you can make it well online, well and good. I'm trying to do that but I'm not dropping out of college for that. I suggest you somehow stick with it. Leave the whole net thing and work hard on your school work. Try graduating. Sorry if this doesn't help. EDIT - But if you're insistent on doing this and it looks like you are, do some classes on web development and coding.. It'll help you
Some of the responses lead me to this: http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=254657 [Mods - I am not promoting another forum, but the link is to relevant content] Be Well! ECS Dave
Hi Ryu, I think education is important whether you get it from schooling, on the job, special courses or self study. In just about any industry, continuous learning is part of the job, so being a lifetime student is a given and it looks like you can learn on your own. The other item that is very important is your portfolio. I know some people will send their resume to me. I have discovered over the years that a resume is what they want to be and not necessarily what they are. For example, the typical tech resume will list acronyms galore and they will list a bunch of things they had done etc. During the review process, I will ask them, show me samples, proof and references. Show me links to Web sites you've developed. Do you have screen shots? What exactly did you do on the site? At that point things can get quiet and I will get the old "I can't talk about any of my work because it's NDA'd". At that point, it's all downhill. It's awkward but that's what happens. They don't have anything to back up their claim or they have very few and suddenly their resume isn't as shiny and bright as it had been presented. I've seen it too many times and unfortunately (for them) I don't think its' smart to buy into anything you can't see. I know that doesn't apply to everything, but when it comes to work, I need to see samples. Running your own gig is fun...sometimes. Do you know what an entrepreneur is? It's someone who would rather work 16 hours a day than work 8 hours for someone else. When you're starting out, that's what it can take and you need nerves of steel and midnight oil to get through deadlines. You will a have tough road ahead (unless you get lucky) but if you are determined, persist and persevere it will be one of the most rewarding things you will experience. I think it's great that you are seeking advice and planning out your steps carefully. That is prudent and for someone in their teens that is exceptional and I wish you the best. Here's a movie line (can anyone guess it?) "Don't think you can, know you can." I am in agreement with what another post had mentioned. It appears you sort of know what you want to do. ...sip...
I agree too. Just like me, maybe here online I can't really make a decent earning for now but here in the real world I am working with a decent salary but still my girl friend required me to finish college so I got no choice but to finish college Anyway to finish school doesn't mean any thing for me but just a title And about getting a good earnings it always require one thing hard work
Thanks for the detailed post jtadeo! That quote is from The Matrix during the fight between Neo and Morpheus. Thanks for your advice, it is certainly helpful and about the Resume, I never thought of it that way and I will keep it in mind for the future. I created a Portfolio but have added nothing with examples. -Ryu
If I was you, I would stick it out, cause you don't know what can happen. Plus now in today's world, you need at least a GED or better to get anywhere anyways. Online is a global market, therefore competition is fierce. Are you going to make what you want? No it will take a lot of hard work, effort, and skill to beat the odds and make that 20k a year or so. It seems your having trouble in math anyways, so this may help or it may confuse you even more. It's basically a years worth of notes shoved into one about Algebra and Geometry. http://mahoningctc.site.eboard.com Type in Wertz and click on IAG which is Algebra and Geometry mixed together. Also, try getting a hand on those for dummies books or those cliff note books. Either way, those books will help out greatly and can even teach you a lot. You can also find a bunch of sites online that can help with math too. Just need to hang in there and not give up. You'll be glad you did and it'll be rewarding in the end.
Hey, If I were you I would drop out. I am also teaching myself website design and thinking of dropping out and I'm only 15. There is a career online freelancing. If your good enough then go for it. But I would get your GED and maybe take a couple collage courses. Misha
Though I only read the first two sentences of your original post....Heres my advice: Get dat diploma SON! Haha, last time I said that....All the champion webmaster gurus jumped on my ass. Oh wells.