<p>I hope your depression is lifting and you can embrace your own life. These years are precious for building those little connection things–the synapses, the axons the dendrites… in your brain at an optimal time…which is why many men and women of past generations credit military service with saving their minds and putting them in a state of personal discipline that led to civilian college and skilled training. It is tough to get on the really bear down and study lifestyle if you do not have a parent example but it can be done. You are clearly smart and college capable right now. I agree that mooning about re the ACT and SAT is a waste of time…so go to community college ASAP and take the hardest curriculum your brain will manage every semester…remember that many many of us posting here are college educated and many of us were also very poor during 4-8 years of college. Education is a choice you make that enhances more of your life than your job prospects.
Do not make the mistake of stumbling on your first courses at the Community College…the race goes to the one who is most determined. You will have to concentrate to get the entry level courses if you were not altogether well in high school. </p>
<p>In one’s 20s before raising the children that may come to you in life, this is your one and only chance to be proud of being poor while you sacrifice time to study. It is a badge of honor in this society to delay gratification and material things long enough to gain one’s education. Not only that but college education…if you are now ready for it…is innately rewarding and puts you in reach of others wtih your abilities and talents for the social ife that also should be important to you…it is time to find your “chosen” circle of friends who are also like family. If you are from non college educated parents (I had one parent with a GIBill education post WWII service at the bottom of the NCO pool but no females had been in college before me)…you may find that they do not comprehend your dream or know how to support you. This is where making friends your age and bonding with 2-3 adults at the community college pays off. You will need references and mentors as well as peers who going your direction.
Don’t worry so much about your vocation…get your first year of math and social sciences under your belt and make good grades. Vocational counseling will follow once your innate talent is recognized.
Good luck…you should probably read that self help book (although I loathe most self help books) about the Habits of Highly Effective People.</p>