So I'm not the typical middle class teenager but I really need advice or help (Long)?

Parents Forum
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<p>As my title mentions, I consider myself to be a unique case and I didn't know where to put this, with so many threads and posts but I hoped someone with any type of relatable life experience could help me. So here it goes, I hope you don't get too bored. (: I am a 17 year old girl from Georgia, I am currently NOT in school, I was withdrawn (not same as expelled! I promise) due to excessive absences over a period of two years. . </p>

<p>I consider myself to be bright, but not "the brightest of the bright" and know that had I stuck it out and did my best I definitely had what it took to graduate in the top 15 percent of my class. Maybe not Ivy league material but I'd be okay. I know this because I went to get my GED soon after and scored with a 3.3 GPA (all GED scores at the end are compared to all high school graduates) and scored within the top 25th percentile with only a 9th grade education and no prior studying. Maybe this isn't a good measure of my overall intelligence but school wise, I think it was. </p>

<p>My general classes at a good school were always too easy for me and even though I failed all my classes b/c of my absences and missed classwork I always scored extremely high on standardized tests. I was dealing with a lot and well the school system let me fall through the cracks. I was dealing with and still am dealing with living in a house technically below the poverty line and I want to make changes. </p>

<p>In this stage of my life I have lost most of my friends, am trying to recover from my bipolar disorder, lost my first job, have no hobbies and basically lounge around the house most of the time. This is a major transitioning period in my life and well, I need direction. I constructed my ideal plan where I would work for a year, go to AmeriCorps for ten months (really wanna go! c: ) Go back home and buy myself a car, POSSIBLY go to a vocational school to earn a certificate in a short term career. </p>

<p>Maybe something like cosmetology to help me pay my bills through community college since I won't have financial assistance from ANYONE. Ultimately I'd like to move out and transfer to a university. </p>

<p>I have so many questions but I guess that all I'm asking is if I am a citizen and my mom is illegal in this country, will that affect anything? </p>

<p>Is this a good plan? </p>

<p>If not, can you please tell me where it could use revisions? </p>

<p>If you have some relatable experience would you be willing to share? And last but really importantly, any advice on how to handle things when you have no credit, no where to go, a college diploma to get and no help at all? THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH if you read all of that, I know it was incredibly long but its a long story and I wasn't sure if I could make it any shorter.</p>

<p>Thank you.
Thank you.
THANK YOU!!!!! :)</p>

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<p>I don’t know about the citizenship part, but I will tell you that your plan sounds good. It looks like you are getting your life together. Keep it up and don’t falter.</p>

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<p>Also agree your plan sounds solid. D has a HS friend who opted for AmeriCorps instead of straight to college and she is loving it.</p>

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<p>You seem to have a solid plan. Just take one step each day, and you will be surprised how fast and how far you can go.</p>

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<p>You say you have nowhere to go. What does that mean? What is your living situation? That is your most important priority. After that is sorted out, Vo-Tech can be a good solution. </p>

<p>Why cosmetology? Is that something you really like or just because it is a way to a job? If it’s for a job, do you have the personality for it? Can you easily chat with strangers or is that something that makes you uncomfortable? If you think you will enjoy it, find out how you can afford a year to 2 years of school. Will Mom fill out FAFSA?</p>

<p>If cosmetology is just to get you a job, look at other programs that can earn you more. Look where more guys go; welding, electrical tech training, HVAC, auto mechanics, computer tech programs. The programs are usually the same length of time and starting pay is higher. Being a woman in a traditional male field may have more financial help. LPN is another option; training is usually a year.</p>

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<p>MY D has had a few friends go through Americorps and they speak very highly of it. The program will give you job training in a range of areas (different states offer different ones), plus life skills classes, plus job-finding help and support for up to a year after you’re finished the program. It seems exactly what a student like you needs.</p>

<p>I also have a dear friend who is bipolar. I think you probably already know that the most important thing you can do now or ever, is to keep that under control, take your meds and be aware of when/if they need changing. My friend has had a very rough time of it, but was in your exact situation as a 17 year old. If your family is supportive, please allow them to help you!</p>

<p>As for what to study to finance further studies-one of my daughter’s dance teachers got a cosmetology degree so that he could make money while dancing. He LIKES doing cosmetology though, it wasn’t just for the money. There are special programs, at least in Seattle, that recruit young women for the traditionally male trades like welding and construction. They DO pay well, but I should warn you that with a brother and a son in construction-related industries, they are very hard on your body and if you’re not pretty hardy, it might be a bit much. My brother is just barely 50 and is in pain pretty much all the time from the punishment his body took as a young man.</p>

<p>Good luck to you!</p>

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<p>AmeriCorps is excellent, but I understand that some funds have been cut so slots have been eliminated. (Just be ready to ask a lot of questions.)</p>

<p>Instead of lounging around the house, how about taking a class at your local juco? Regardless of what field that you end up in, additional writing/math classes can only help you in your future.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Your story reminds me a bit of a girl I know from Chicago - bright but wandering. She eventually joined the Air Force and started taking classes in her spare time. She recently got her business degree from Stanford. The military takes kids from disparate backgrounds and sticks them back on a relatively even playing field.</p>

<p>If you want to get started, I would suggest waitressing - pays like cosmetology but does not require you to pay for training.</p>

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<p>Agree with Magnetron that the military might be a good solution as well. </p>

<p>Have you considered Job Corp? I know a few kids that have done that. One is leaving in a few weeks to do computer work.
[Welcome</a> to Job Corps](<a href=“http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx]Welcome”>http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx)</p>

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<p>I am sorry you have had to leave your HS due to excessive absences. Our D also had to leave after JR year. She scored 4000 out of 4000 in her GED and enrolled in community college. I’d suggest you consider enrolling in community college as well, while you’re waiting to put your plan into action. Tuition at most CCs is very reasonable–at ours, it is $1000 or so per semester, plus books (which can be purchased 2nd hand).</p>

<p>I don’t know much about cosmetology, but if that is something you’re interested in and feel you could do well, that could be a good path. Your CC may have other programs and certificates you could earn to make more toward your future. Respiratory therapy, paramedic/EMT program, or others are also options.</p>

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<p>My mistake-I was describing JOB Corps, not AMERICORPS. I would endorse either though.</p>

<p>Mizzbee and Magnatron, unless things have changed since my son was in the military, a mental health illness such as bipolar would disqualify someone from military service. Also, it ceased being the path for people who don’t know what else to do with themselves several years ago. They are a lot more stringent regarding who they accept now.</p>

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<p>Diagnosed mental illness is an automatic DQ for enlisted or officer military service.</p>