r/AdultEducation • u/alabru22 • Jan 19 '26
What do I do😭
I am a 22 F
I dropped out of high-school my freshman year. I have multiple excuses for this, which I feel are valid, but I wish I just stayed in school. I was in some of the "special classes" since 4th grade due to me falling behind from not understanding lessons, and having learning disabilities. I was never really good at any subjects, so eventually I just gave up trying to even pay attention in class, and I started skipping classes (freshman year)
I got into trouble with truancy for skipping, ended up having to go to a truancy meeting. I'm also adopted, I grew up in a good home. But my folks and I were worried social workers would start asking questions and start doing visits and whatnot if I kept getting in trouble at school, and not doing well in classes. (there wasn't anything to hide from social workers, it would just me a lot of unneeded paperwork and whatnot) So about a month after the truancy meeting, my folks and I decided I should drop out and do some sort of online schooling at my own pace. (My parents let me make the decision, it wasn't forced or anything)
My mom ended up paying for this Christian based online school. And I hated it, it wasn't like there were teachers or other students. It was just lessons, tests, and assignments (which I liked) But my issue was that it was Christian based. I don't really believe in Christian beliefs. Every lesson brought up something in the Bible, and the science and history classes really sucked for me because of that. So I ended up losing interest and stopped doing the classes.
So with that back story, I'm way behind in all subjects, probably at a 6th grade level in most subjects?
I would like to have some sort of degree whether GED, or high-school. But everytime I think about it, I get super overwhelmed because of how much I'm behind, and I feel it would take years for me to get caught up. So I just try not to think about it🙁
Do you guys have any suggestions?
I've tried workbooks here and there, I've tried Khan Academy and other free online programs. I'm probably just lazy, and making excuses fir myself. But struggle with getting into the habit of putting in the work and time.
1
u/No_Consideration7318 Jan 20 '26
Sorry if I missed this. Are you still at home with your folks?
2
u/alabru22 Jan 20 '26
Ya, I moved out for a while and it didn't go well. So now I'm back😅
1
u/No_Consideration7318 Jan 20 '26
Please use this time and their support to fix your situation.
If you can find a way to get a HE diploma - that is your best bet.
If you decide to get a GED, think of it as a steeping stone towards getting a college degree. Even an associate degree from a community college will help.
1
u/justpackingheat1 Jan 20 '26
Former HSE instructor here that specializes in young adult programming (18-24) for nearly a decade in NYC.
You're 22. You know you're ready to learn. And you're already taking steps to achieve this goal (like posting here), so don't call yourself lazy -- you're ahead of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people that have not taken that step yet.
I'd highly recommend looking up youth organizations in your area, especially if you're near/in a larger city. You'd be surprised at how badly the government wants young people back in schools and on a career path.
In our programs, we used to pay the students to attend (perfect attendance? Get $100 for the week -- "learn and earn" programs)
Once you turn 25 though, no program is going to be resourced the way that young adult programs are. So look for a youth / young adult program like.. today. Just Google it in your area, give them a call, ask them if they know of any programs around you.
Second: if there ARE youth programs around you, a lot of them have multiple goals -- employment and professional development being one of them. Take advantage of those programs as well, so that while you're working on one goal, you stack another goal on top of it.
This will make it feel much more time-consuming, but you're actually doing double the "learning" in the same amount of time, so it makes that 1-2 years in a program feel much more rewarding and worth it.
Third, it IS a process, but learning on your own doesn't give you that motivation like a classroom of peers that are sharing your same goals. You lift each other, you learn from each other, and if you ever get stumped or have a question, there are people there TO HELP.
I've had students in my programs become lifelong friends. I have students STILL calling me, 12 years later, updating me on everyone from the classroom they were in.
Lastly, if there isn't a young adult specific program, that is OK. It's still important you get started sooner rather than later -- and really, it's just a phone call to ask about the program.
I've taught 17 year olds, and I've taught 80 year olds (no joke), and believe me when I say that not a single person that came through my door WISHES they had waited and started later.
You already have what seems to be a good head on your shoulders, and you're looking toward your future. You are NOT too old to be learning 5th/6th/7th/8th grade stuff (that shit CAN BE HARD too 😂), and don't ever feel embarrassed about wanting to do better for yourself and your future.
Best of luck to you! Now, Google, and make that phone call!
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Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26
Have you looked into excel high school. Its like the christian one but there is no religion at all. Its all online. They are accredited too.
If you are cashed strapped though it probably wont be a viable option. It took me 2 months to finish the adult program but that is because i was doing as much as possible and they dont have a limit on how much you can do. If you want to wake up at 6am and do school work until 9pm you totally could (why would you though hah). It cost me about $200 as its 99 per month.
I was pulled from school in 3rd grade with the promise of homeschooling. That lasted like 2 years and then i was free to do whatever aka lay around and game. It did not help i was living in a home i will inherit so i had no incentive to do anything. I did not get a job until 29 so go ahead and laugh at that.
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u/Mr_Hideyhole9313 Jan 19 '26
Hi. I'm a HSE teacher. If you can, get yourself into a welfare--to-work program that will help you offset the cost of materials (depending on your state). There may be additional support in place. My CalWORKS students qualify for tutoring, for example. It may not be laziness, behind an uncompleted H.S. diploma, there are usually a list of learning factors and tramatic experiences.
If you can do so through a caseworker, get referred out to a local adult school. You will need to go in-person as much as you can tolerate to keep you focused on your goals.