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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
i looked at my pseudo-transcript today- the one that lists requirements i've met and need to meet, as well as total credits earned. and it was brought to my attention once again that i could graduate this year if i so chose to. my high school career just sort of fell into this, i didnt start my freshman year with 'i'm going to graduate in three years'. most people i know who are graduating in three, have had 8 classes every semester. i havent remotely.
the situation if i chose to graduate this year would probably be a year of working and community college courses while i looked for a college i really wanted to attend. i would also still be living at home.
if i graduated next year, as was planned, i would be taking classes just because. some of them are classes i would like to take, but i guess i just dont really have any idea what to do. since everyone on this board is older and by far much wiser than i, any advice or perspectives would be very much appreciated.
Posted by susan C on January 28, 2002, at 20:44:51
In reply to such difficult decisions, posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
In the state where I live there is a program where capable students (Jr standing in High School) can take Community College classes that count for High School at the same time. Both my boys graduated High School and Community College Associate Arts of Sciences (AAS) degree simutaniously and transferred to State University as college Juniors...It is a phenominal program for all kinds, academic, technical, etc. etc.
I would encourage you to also look at colleges now, as you maybe able to start now...conversely, and there is nothing wrong with taking a year of 'electives' if you like the high school scene.
There are so many parts of this decision you are facing, and I just went through it from the parent side...I would be glad to answer any questions.
mouse looking out the window at snow
Posted by Mair on January 28, 2002, at 21:38:46
In reply to such difficult decisions, posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
Katey - I think it sort of depends on what you otherwise get out of your high school experience. If you feel pretty detached from people and things at school, maybe community college will offer you a better range of courses, and more flexible scheduling. If high school and your friends there are a big part of how you identify yourself, you may not be ready to make that next step. Regardless of what you may envision, I do think you'll feel more detached from your friends who have stayed in high school. You will lack the bond of common experience, which may or may not be immportant to you. Community colleges, as I know them, are not great places for forging new bonds.
I have a son who is a junior. He's mature in some ways (or at least seems that way maybe only to his 19 year old girlfriend) and very young in others. I know that boys are generally way behind girls socially. I can't even begin to see him doing something like what you're suggesting not because he couldn't handle it academically, but because he doesn't have the social confidence, and I think needs the social connections that high school provides. Besides in his case, he can play a sport he likes on a varsity level, which won't happen when he goes to college.
I'm not a big believer in following recognized patterns, maybe because I followed them myself. If I had it to do over again, I'd take time off between high school and college, or during college, and certainly and without question between college and graduate school. I don't see the point of going to a college that you don't really want to attend, and I'd be fine with my son doing something else for a year, to avoid that or just to give him a different experience and a sense of independence.
What I would worry about some is the notion of his leaving high school, doing nothing particularly worthwhile and not quite being able to extricate himself from his parents and his town. However, I've always thought you've sounded tons more independent than he is, so maybe that wouldn't happen to you. I guess i'd hope for you that pulling out of school wouldn't isolate you from a support group you now have, and that you'd be motivated to move on in a year.
Mair
Posted by finelinebob on January 29, 2002, at 0:00:15
In reply to Re: such difficult decisions » Katey, posted by Mair on January 28, 2002, at 21:38:46
Sounds like folks are saying there's more to high school than just taking classes. Having taught HS, I'd have to agree ... along with saying that the other stuff is generally more important.
Then again, when I was a student in HS I was a real geek and taking classes truly was the point to going. ;^)
So, think about those other aspects of HS. Is there anything there that you still want to do, to experience, to achieve, outside of academics?
If not, why not move on?
flb
Posted by jane d on January 29, 2002, at 11:48:02
In reply to such difficult decisions, posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
I would be very hesitant about leaving HS at this point either for Community College or for work. Both are stressful changes and stress and recent depression mix very badly. My own feeling is that your long term well being may depend on how well you treat yourself over the next couple of years. I didn't do this when I was about your age and, thought I can never know for sure, I think that has a lot to do with the problems I have today.
I agree with Mair that taking time off to work can be a trap. I fell into that trap myself. Suddenly you are spending your days with people who are focused on whatever success that job can bring, not on returning to school. Your old friends are living on a different timetable and a different budget and getting together gets harder and harder. And employers in entry level jobs can be extremely intolerant of mental illness. If you do find yourself temporarily needing extra consideration over the next months you will be far more likely to find it in high school. Finally this is not best economy for entering the job market. I just saw an article saying that many college graduates are choosing to hide out in graduate school for a few years until things pick up.
I think the decision about college now depends mostly on your specific circumstances. If you are miserable in your current school - either socially or academically - go for it. But I've gotten the impression from your posts that you are fairly happy with your situation. I've also gotten the impression that you are a serious student - one who will stay up all night if need be to finish a project. The opportunities and temptations to do that kind of thing increase at the college level. If you aren't sure that you can withstand those temptations it might be better for your health to stay where you are for another year.
Or, of course, this could be all wrong for YOU. Good luck making the decision.
Jane
Posted by ELA on January 29, 2002, at 12:12:37
In reply to such difficult decisions, posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
> if i graduated next year, as was planned, i would be taking classes just because. some of them are classes i would like to take, but i guess i just dont really have any idea what to do. since everyone on this board is older and by far much wiser than i, any advice or perspectives would be very much appreciated.
Hi Katey,
I have a similar sort of problem at the moment. I'm, 20 and in my third year at University but my recent illness and all its complications have meant long periods away from my course. This in itself isn't a particular problem as I don't struggle with the work and am well on top of things.
The main problem I have is that I've not been happy with the course for a long time and have seen my recent troubles as a way of getting out of it once and for all. Of course, everyone around me says that I'm in "no fit state" to be making such decisions but I still can't shake the feeling of not wanting to be there.
If I stay, I'll graduate as a teacher next year. Fair enough you might say, but the state of the Education system in England is awful at the moment and I'm just not sure that I want to be part of it anymore. Also, I'm wanting to care for children much more rather than just teach them so that's adding to my predicament.
If I leave, I will be giving up a place at Cambridge University but will be able to go off and do something I really want to do. People will be disappointed but it's my life right? Hmmm, if only I could look at it that way.
I keep hearing that at the end of the day I should just do what makes me happy and think very carefully about it as it's me who will have to live with it. I can't carry on doing things to please other people forever so I have to pujt myself first for a change.
It's very difficult but I would say to you not to rush into anything and think very carefully about and choices you do make. But the most important thing is to be a bit selfish I guess and think about what's best for you in the long run. I hope you work it out, good luck.
Emma.
Posted by ST on February 1, 2002, at 2:52:06
In reply to such difficult decisions, posted by Katey on January 28, 2002, at 20:13:50
Hi Katey,
The best thing I ever did - well, one of them - was to finish High School in three years. But I already had friends and interests outside of high school. I didn't fit in; I hated every moment of HS. There was no looking back. I then spent two years figuring out where I wanted to go to school, I worked....it was a good two years. But I didn't even question it when the opportunity arose. I KNEW I wanted to.
You don't seem to really know if you want to graduate now or in a year. I don't know what your social situation is at HS. Everyone has brought up really good points about possibly feeling detached from friends and adding a stress to your life when you're already struggling with alot. If you like HS, your friends there, the social scene, etc., you could truly have a great last year. While others will be stressing out, you'll be there because you want to be. You'll probably have enough time, too, to start looking into colleges and maybe even work.
Good luck with your choice.
Sarah
> i looked at my pseudo-transcript today- the one that lists requirements i've met and need to meet, as well as total credits earned. and it was brought to my attention once again that i could graduate this year if i so chose to. my high school career just sort of fell into this, i didnt start my freshman year with 'i'm going to graduate in three years'. most people i know who are graduating in three, have had 8 classes every semester. i havent remotely.
>
> the situation if i chose to graduate this year would probably be a year of working and community college courses while i looked for a college i really wanted to attend. i would also still be living at home.
>
> if i graduated next year, as was planned, i would be taking classes just because. some of them are classes i would like to take, but i guess i just dont really have any idea what to do. since everyone on this board is older and by far much wiser than i, any advice or perspectives would be very much appreciated.
This is the end of the thread.
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