Should I get my GED?

<p>I'm seriously considering getting my GED. I'm way to behind in High School. I'm at the point of no return. I messed up Freshmen and Sophomore year and now Junior year is just slowly dissolving into nothing as well. I just don't like to conform to societies expectations and it frustrates me how I have to in order to live a "good" life. A part of me wants to conform and just be another human being existing and another side just tells me to quit but I can't because I won't be able to live. So my next step is to get my GED; that's if it is reasonable to my predicament. Should I? I mean, I guess its time to be a man, and I would feel more entitled if I were doing Community College with more mature people; it would make me want to be mature as well and 'do what I gotta' do'. But is community college harder with a GED?
( Sorry, there is a series of smaller questions within my main question, but please answer them all! )
I plan to become a Stockbroker. I will double major in Economics and Finance if possible. I want to make as much money as I can by the time I'm 35 so that I can live in recluse in a cabin somewhere and write fiction for the remainder of my life. </p>

<p>I guess I really want to know if this plan is possible.. Please don't be mean and antagonize me. Thanks.</p>

<p>What state do you live in?
What makes you think you’ll be able to conform to community college’s expectations and requirements?
Right now you’re not on track to become a stockbroker. The profession is very prestige-dependent.
What is causing the year to “dissolve”?
You may want to go see a counselor - you may be depressed or have a LD that messes with your ability to achieve or focus, for instance.
“Not conforming” is normal for your age but it isn’t normal if it keeps you from achieving your potential and you sound like you’re self sabotaging, too.
Can you change high schools?
Do you want something more regimented (military academy?) or something less strict (alternative high school)?</p>

<p>I live in Washington State.
I feel that if I’m around more mature people that it will set a better example for me.
My grades are bad from procrastination and lack of trying. I’m always to interested in reading and writing that I don’t do my school work.
I can’t change schools because I’ve been to 3 different high schools over the past 3 years. I’m in Online school and absolutely hate it. I can’t stand the internet.
I need something that will give me discipline but my grades are bad so I don’t think I can get into a boarding school or something. I’m open to military academy. </p>

<p>I imagine there’s more going on here than simply not applying yourself. Nobody wants to be where you are.</p>

<p>A GED could give you a fresh start but, then you’ve got to do something with it. BS rules don’t go away because you leave high school… Frankly, they rise to a whole new level when you enter the workforce. </p>

<p>The end product of school is not grades - it is knowledge that you’ll use the rest of your live. If you want to be a stock broker - you need math and communication skills- the foundation of which you are expected to pick up as a teenager in high school. </p>

<p>The Army could be just the thing for you but, again, they have lots of rules. I think you should talk to someone - school counselor or another professional about whats at the root of your behavior. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>In our state, I believe you need a GED or HS diploma to enroll in CC (except for a few no credit courses offered to the community). That said, yes, getting a GED can be useful. </p>

<p>I agree with the others that you have to work with your advisor to figure out why you are doing SO poorly in school. If you don’t figure out the root of the problem, you are doomed to continue repeating it with worsening problems. </p>

<p>I like your idea of getting a GED, but be aware that there are a lot of slacker students in community college, too. You might want to connect now with some business-oriented mentors and community college faculty/career advisors as a prospective student. Build a bridge to where you want to go. Also, if you’re interested in fiction, make sure to take some creative writing courses while at community college. Sounds like you’re ready to leave HS behind, but like others have said, get checked out for any LDs, depression, or other factors that could stand in the way of your goals. </p>

<p>I know what the root of my behavior is. I feel as if I was a log ( piece of wood ) that USED to have distinguishing characteristics and now public education is molding and cutting and shaping me into a plank just like everyone else. I don’t like the idea of being controlled and stripped of my artistic ability. Its almost like thinking outside the box is illegal in school. They have all these standards that destroy kid’s ability to be creative and it sickens me. That is the root of my behavior. I don’t want to be fed information at the hand of someone who is only in it because its their job and they have to do it to live. I’m quite capable of acquiring information regarding any topic if I set my mind to it. </p>

<p>What are the next steps I take after acquiring my G.E.D?
Do I go to community college?
Can I still go?
I need a straight forward answer.
Is my plan possible?</p>

<p>Get a G.E.D, start college next year. Do 2 years then transfer to California State University, Long Beach, then major in economics and business. </p>

<p>

Most students who believe that tend to NOT work or “acquire information”. In addition, school should be about much more than acquiring information and I realize your school may not be like that, but the ability to analyze that information is as important as knowing it.
The fact your teachers work for a living doesn’t mean they don’t like their job. But even if they don’t, part of being adult is recognizing that sometimes you don’t just do what you like to do, but rather what you must do so that you can do what you like to do.
Check the conditions for getting the GED. Typically, once you have it, yes you can enroll in community college. One issue is: will you have the money to pay for it? Or will your parents pay for it (since high school is free, but community college has some tuition - not much but still.)
Expect that you may have to spend more than 2 years in community college - for instance, you may want to start your community college career with 4 classes only, including one art class. Choose a community college that has agreements with a 4-year university to make the transition easier and look at the transfer requirements.</p>

<p>

this may be due to your high school but this may also indicate a depression (perhaps started by your situation in high school but get it checked)
(Have you read <em>Struck by lightning</em> BTW?)</p>