I'm a 7th grade drop-out, is there hope for me?!

I'm 17, and when I was in 7th grade (five years ago) I left school, for personal reasons, my mom sent me to live with my father, but when I got there, he lived in a studio apartment, and he is a total perv anyway, so for a year, I slept where I could, with friends, in peoples' cars, teen shelter (when they accepted me, usually it was full) ect, ect. There simply was no possible way for me to go to school, when I didn't know where i'd sleep that night.

Then, for a year I lived with my aunt and uncle, but they didn't think it was important for me to go to school, so I wasn't allowed it.

Basically, life has been crap, and by the time I had a semi-reliable place to live, I was 14, and had too much emotional crap going on, I just couldn't go back to school.

I worked at a nanny for a while, for room and board, but the family stopped giving me ANY time off, i was watching a 1 year old, newborn and 4 year old 24/7, and eventually, the mother started accusing me of abusing the children (which I'd never do, I took care of the two youngest children since they were born) so, I left them. (I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to the children, and a month later the social service took them, because the parents weren't caring for them)

So, a year and a half ago, I moved back in with my father, and haven't done CRAP since. I haven't worked or anything.

I applied for Job Corps, fully expecting to get accepted, but since I'm a minor and live with my father, I didn't fit into the income requirements. (Since there were two of us in the 'household' he would have had to make LESS than 12,000 a year for me to be able to go to job corps, he makes like 18,000.)

I found out in July I wasn't able to go to Job Corps, and I just don't know what to do. I really felt it was the only way i'd get out of here.

I live 6 miles-ish from the GED class site, and I have no transportation. I could bicycle some of the time, but it rains all the time here in the winter.

Plus, I have emotional problems. Sometimes I just start crying uncontrollably, especially in situations like a classroom, I don't think I could handle it.

I should be a senior in high school!!

I just needed to write about this, I'm so alone in my pain. I've wasted the last five years of my life, I haven't had a chance to be a teenager, and every day that passes, makes me realize more and more that I'm trapped in this situation with no way out.

I called the GED class-thing for information, and they didn't see hopeful at all, really. I'm sure they deal with losers like me all the time.

I've never heard of another person dropping out of school at 12, and I've lost so much time, high school is like the most important time in life (at least education wise. ) and I'll never get to go back and fix my mistake.

If anyone has any advice or information about resources that might help me out, please reply.

I've never really talked about this, except with my father, who is positive that I learn more stay at home surfing the internet than I ever would in school. He is an idiot.

I have NO support at all.

Anyway, i've gone on long enough. Peace out!

Hagigat

 

There is always ways... I'd advise getting your GED first off (Surely there must be some way to do it by mail... ), then see about getting into a junior/community college, and after a while transfer from there to an actual university... It's all still possible just slightly more difficult... Don't know if any of this was helpful, but good luck hopefuly everything will work out for you...

 

Yeah atempt your GED. Take a Taxi...if you can't get money for the Taxi find some convenice store or supermarket...and work there...then have a job and school.

There is still some hope that you can live a semi-normal life. Who knows, you could somehow mange to make lotsa money (notdrug dealing though)...

Oh and when you're 18 and have a few extra bucks it doesn't hurt to buy and lottery ticket now and again...

 

what an amazing story, as sad as it is =(. i just met a girl here (freshman in college) who has went through so much of the same stuff. she was out of the house since she was 15, but that moment she was in shelters, crashing with friends, and since 18 worked her ass off to pay for a room in an apartment, while getting grants for school. i can't say i've met a more beautiful person in my life, truly. i think it was all this happening that made her such an amazing person... this suffering is only making you a stronger person... just keep your mind on track... i know it might be hard at times... but you're alive, and can truly do whatever you want, especially at 18. one of these days you're going to meet someone who truly loves you, and then everythign will truly begin to shine... i hope he's just around the corner. =).
peace.

 

there is still hope, don't give up! Please! Your story is very touching and sad but there is hope in your words. I know this sounds very cliche, but if there is a will there is a way. I don't know If you've ever seen the movie "homeless to harvard" but it reminds me of your story. A girl in your situation goes on to graduate highschool and gets a full scholarship into Harvard. It is a true story. Please, hon, Don't stop trying! I think the best advice the people have all before me said, try to get your G.E.D. I don't know if this is good advice, but child and social services may be able to help you out? You will be in my thoughts, and don't stop trying!

 

As kidswillbeskeletons mentioned, maybe you could check into what child & social services could offer. The worst they can say is they can't. However, it seems they should have some way to help you, if you explain what you told us here, the reasons you've been denied the education you should have had.

Another option would be to get a job, get out on your own (even if you only rent a room somewhere), so that your income is all that counts, then apply again to job corps next year.

Do what you have to do to get that GED. If that means searching online for some sort of correspondence course to help you learn the material, that is better than nothing. Honestly, tho, I would suggest finding some way to get to the actual class, so that you can begin to adjust to being in a classroom setting.

Good luck. It's not hopeless, but you have more of a struggle ahead than most of us have to deal with.

 

Thnx everyone for your replies!

I know the MOST important thing I need to do right now is get my GED, and I'm going to go to talk to the adult-education people, I'm sure if I have a more positive attitude I can find a way to get to the classes!
Some chick told me about this "dial-a-ride" thing, which sounds embarressing to ride, but i'll do it if I have to!

It really helps just to talk about it, it was a weight off my shoulders posting about it.

Ok, about a job. I dunno even how to apply for a job, I know that sounds stupid!! I'm sure I could probably get a job at a supermarket or something. After 1.5 years sitting around on my ass smoking pot, it's kind of hard to get back into life!


Anyway, thanks again everyone who posted a reply. It helped, really!

 

I can totally empathize with that... I spent a couple of years doing the Rainbow thing, going to gatherings & hitching around in between. Then, when I decided to get off the road, I went to my dad's house to get my shit together. I spent several months doing nothing but playing around on here. Once you get out there & get back into life, it's not so bad, that first step of actually getting there & getting used to it is the worst part.

As for the part of applying for jobs, I know this may sound kinda crappy, but go to the nearest unemployment office. They usually have some kind of specialist there that can help you find employment -- you might have to talk them into helping you, since you're not elligible for unemployment benefits so they don't have that motivation to get you off their payroll, but you should be able to get at least some basic advice & hopefully some real help & even tips on how to do well in an interview & all that...

 

Sad story... hmm... I wonder how much all that pot was worth... hope you find what you want

 

Since you have the net, use it. I'm not talking about as a substitute for school. I'm sure you can find some information on it about how to write a resume(not really necessary for a grocery store). Also pick up some books from the library to help you along. They usually have some good books on introductions to the stuff you missed in school. Plus many have GRE prep books that can help you learn until you find a way to get to the classes. The fact that you want to change your life show that you have the most important thing to turning your life around. Hope.

 

You could become an emancipated minor.

 

Oh sweetheart! What a heart touching story. I'm SO sorry to hear that all of those thing's happen to you. It's really sad to hear that someone as young as you and as sweet as you seem could have gone through so much! I have gone through alot of shit too in my life, not quite as much or as bad as you, but I was kicked out of my house when I was 17 and had no place to go in a new town that I had just moved to to stay with my sister. (just to let you know, I do not have my highschool diploma either) When my best friend from Canada moved down here because she was in the same situation, my sister kicked me out because she didn't want someone else staying in the house (after she had already told me it was ok. it was really fucked up) ....so here we are, me who has lived in this place for no longer than 3 months, and her...who had only been in town for less than 24 hours were out on our asses, and my boyfriend (at the time) was the only person we could turn to. So all three of us spent our nights, in his car....in a tent....at his friends houses....and spending all my savings on hotel rooms.

IT WAS SO STRESSFUL. I was so worried and stressed out that I could barely function. I was emotionaly out of control. I was crying constantly. And not just a few tears here and there crying, Im talking full fledged, can't breath, the tears will not stop for NOTHING crying. I even forgot how to write my name I was so stressed out. It sucked....and then to make matters even WORSE, my boyfriend has suspected that me and my best friend were MORE than just best friends, and broke up with me. (what a fucking idiot. We are best friends and thats ALL)

And then out of the blue we met this chick at subway (we were always going there to get salads, we ate them for dinner everynight and she always hooked us up with extra amounts of tomatoes and dressing ;p ) We got to talking with her and told her about our situation, and she invited us over to her boyfriends house to hang out and have a few drinks and get our mind off the shit... so we did, coz we had no where to go that night...her boyfriend and his roomate were SUPER sweet and we had a great time that night, they told us that we could crash there for a few days while we figured out where we could go. A few days turned into 3 months...We turned into a family...and that chicks boyfriends roomate and I hit it off right away and now, him and I have our own apartment and waitress at a local restaurant, I'm the happiest girl ever.

So just keep hope. Theres always light at the end of the tunnel, after all there wouldn't BE any such thing as light without dark anyway.
Keep you chin up, thing's will work out for you. I wish you luck!

Peace and Love

 

I've worked as a teacher in a missionary school that helped childred who left school very early. It was very hard for most of them to be back not in school but at a certain discipline, so this should be probably the first thing to consider.
It is never too late, I knew one guy who learned to write at 17 , he is now 20 and in the 5th grade and working at the mall.

It is possible if You make it possible !

 

I didn't read all the replies to this thread, but I must say for only not completing school past 7th grade, your grammar and syntax is incredible. Your thoughts were well expressed, articulate. That tells me you must have a high aptitude for learning and be very intelligent. I would suggest getting your GED by any means necessary, then go from there.

 

PROGRAMSYouthCorpsOutDoor School» Common Questions» 2004-05 School Schedule» About the OutDoor School StaffYouthWorksProgram Schedule OutDoor School
Northwest Youth Corps established the OutDoor High School, an accredited high school, in 1997 to serve youth who find the traditional school setting unable to meet their needs.

The OutDoor High School ('OutDoor School' or ODS) offers a combination of hands-on learning, conservation work, applied science, and academics. Operating during the school year, the OutDoor School follows a nonresidential high school format that includes four weeks of overnight camping. Smaller class sizes and an emphasis on mentoring contribute to a positive educational experience for students, made possible in part by AmeriCorps funded teamleaders.



The OutDoor School prepares youth for the workplace by emphasizing basic skills and career readiness, while providing a solid academic foundation for students interested in pursuing a college education. An innovative curriculum connects field study with required subjects like math, science, language arts and social studies. Students apply what they learn, and work as members of a team to complete projects such as building trails, planting trees, restoring wetlands and streams, and improving parks.


ODS students can choose to earn a traditional high school diploma, requiring 24 credits, or an Adult Basic Education diploma, requiring 12 credits. Additionally, a student may also earn a Certificate of Advanced Mastery in Natural Resource Management. Due to the daily nature of the ODS programs, youth need to live in Lane County to participate.



www.nwyouthcorps.org

check out the site for all sorts of info...my son worked here for awhile. The main office is in Eugene,Oregon.

 

This is what I was thinking, and you could do home-schooling, one of my friends missed a few years of school too and she is your age and the people she talked to said she could finish this year and she just started home-schooling, so you could probably finish in two. I know how you feel about the emotional part of it though, I missed school for a while for those reasons though only a few months it felt like years, anyway if you need to talk you can pm me, good luck there is lots of hope for ya!!!

 

Hi hagigat. Don't know if anybody mentioned it yet, and I'm too lazy to go back and read all the posts, but you sound pretty intellegent and articulate to me.
I'm guessing when you go to college you'll have an edge on most of the people who got there by the conventional route.
Education's easy to get. Intellegence is something you have to be born with.

 

Awww Im so sorry you had to go through so much, like many said you sound like a very sweet person.
Look and see if there are any self-paced schools in your area, Im attending one and I can honestly said with your will to finish your education you'd be out of there in no time. Good part is you get a regular HS diploma, so it'd be even easier to get in Uni than it would if you had a GED diploma.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Much peace and love to you!

 

It is great to hear that you have such determination.

I work part-time for a staffing company, (I do IT work there) but I do know what they like to see in applicants. Let me give you some tips.

- try staffing companies in your area.
- ask for applications at local retail and fast-food places. My first job was a waitress, and I worked up from there. Start gaining experience working with customers, and you will be able to start building a resume.
-when you fill out your applications, take extra care with spelling, grammar, and penmanship. The resumes that look the nicest always get the most attention.
-follow up on the jobs you apply for. Just give them a phone call after 5 days to let then know that you are still interested, you can even ask then if you can set up an interview.
-CONFIDENCE is so important. Stay confident, and you will always seem like you know what you are doing.


You also have other options than a GED. Lots of University's have programs where you can do your schooling from home, and get an actual high school diploma upon completion. And they mail everything to you. It is more pricy than a GED, but it is another option I wanted to throw out there.

My husband dropped out of school in 9th grade, but by time he was 18 he was making enough money to support us both comfortably. He doesn't even have his GED yet, but don't think that is the norm. He knows he is fortunate. He is an IT geek, and you don't need to go to school to know computers.

PM me if you have any questions!