Think I might be a Future Dropout

Year: 11th Grade/Junior
GPA: low or mid 2’s
Age: 17M, 18 in December

Desired Career: Theatre Actor/Performer

Now i know it doesn’t look good. I never thought i would be even thinking about becoming a high school drop out. But let me explain how i got here.

I come from a very abusive household that my mom was successfully able to get me out of at 15, though currently there’s still a lot of conflict in my household from it. Among other familial issues I’ve always had issues with bullying at my school, and i’m just so tired. I want OUT. I want to be done with it.

I also started school late so i won’t be graduating till i’m 19 and a half. My low GPA is from just giving up on my classes (Not turning any assignments in but passing the majority of classes because i pass the exam or do well on tests), i have taken 1 AP class (AP Biology) and passed the exam. As well I feel my coursework is not challenging and was told by my guidance counselor that i am not permited to take anymore AP classes due to low GPA.

Is there a viable solution? I was thinking about dropping out and getting a GED this fall, but can i go to a college/university next fall with that plan? I aspire to be in Theatre and wish to attend a university for theatre. What’s the best course of action?

I would say not to drop out. A regular HS diploma is considered superior to a GED. I think right now you are thinking more about the present than your future.
What situation are you living in now?
Have you talked to your Guidance Counselor about the bullying? and what is happening with your home life? You may think they can’t/won’t/haven’t done anythign but it is important for them to know when they write recommendations.
Also are there any other alternative schools that may be helpful to you?
Are you getting involved with local or school theater?
Have you been evaluated for anxiety/depression?
What is preventing you from doing your homework?

So let us say you want to go to college. You need to start putting effort into your classes and doing the homework. It is hard for a GC to hear “I get bad grades because this is too easy”… you You need to start doing this for you…you are worthy and capable. You are just in a bad situation…but quitting HS won’t help that.
What is your favorite subject area? Can you ask your GC for a trial of being in an AP versino of that class?

Finish what you start. That’s important in life AND in theater. You’ll find theater is uber competitive (to make a living and to even get roles in college). It takes tremendous resiliency. You’ve had to deal with a lot at a young age. That’s unfortunate, but the theater world really won’t care (sorry to be so harsh). So being resilient in all things will help you prepare for the road ahead.

Replying as a mom of one child who had a 2.0+ GPA in HS and who barely made it through. This child struggled so much that I was begging him to drop out. He stuck with it. Although it was incredibly painful, and although I knew he could have gotten his GED, I was grateful that he made it through. Here’s why:

  1. GED is not exactly the same as a HS diploma. The diploma allows for on average easier entry into jobs, future schools, etc.

  2. Getting a GED isn’t always so straight forward. To help you make the decision, why not research how difficult it may be to get a GED in your area? What steps do you need to take?

  3. The interruption in your education may take your momentum away and you may never even get the GED – see #2 above. GEDs are WORK. You don’t just sit and take a simple test. You will need to be willing to do that work on your own with little or now support.

Bottom line: get the HS diploma. Just finish.

Once you have your diploma, then take a pause and work–but whatever you do, don’t complicate your life with 1) children / getting pregnant or 2) marriage or 3) debt from car purchases or other things, 4) develop bad habits such as drug or alcohol use/abuse. While being careful in this way, judiciously take a year to try out the working world. Here are some places you may find some interesting work to try out–

  • Student Conservation Association–work that may have a stipend and housing. Work with the representatives to help fill out your application
  • WWOOFing – working on organic farms all over the US. Learn about animal welfare, how to make wine, the commerce behind food production, etc. Housing is included.
  • Workaway – volunteer work that comes with housing all over the world
  • Coolworks – paid work that often includes some sort of housing
  • Volunteer.gov – volunteer work that often includes housing
  • Americorps – government sponsored program that allows you to explore lots of different sorts of jobs, indoors and outdoors. You get a uniform, a stipend, place to live, transportation, health insurance, and once you finish, a chunk of money towards tuition.

Once you’ve taken this time to grow and change through working in these exciting places, then start at a community college. They have counselors who can help you choose the program to 1) improve your grades and 2) get you a smooth transfer to a four-year college. Usually there’s a liberal-arts-to-college transfer program at your local community college.

You can do this!

Do you have any acting experience ?

One more vote to stick with it. Complete your High School education and get a HS diploma. I understand the reasons that you are thinking about dropping out, but if at all possible, finish HS education. You can talk to counselor to plan the courses you can take in Junior and Senior years. You are almost there, don’t give up at this time.

Also, think about you and your personality.

Are you the type who likes to take a project and do it on their own?
Or are you better if you have some structure and deadlines?

I am an Electrical Engineer with a Masters from Princeton.
But one thing I know is if I want to get my self to exercise, I need to have a structured league or class. I will not go jogging on my own.
I do terribly at self-paced classes. I need the structure of deadlines to get myself motivated.

So what about you? Will you better in structured HS classes? Or have you had success in self-paced learning/projects?

If you want to do any further college, you really want to have a HS Diploma.

In general I’d say grind it out and get the degree. If you have the brains then it’s just a matter of staying with it and keeping your feet moving.

But consider a change: depending on where you live you could try to find another school where you might find more of your people. Do you have any magnet schools around that are smaller and more eclectic? Even if they aren’t theater or arts centered it’s often the case that just being outside the mainstream makes for a more open, flexible community, and fewer faces means less anonymity and more accountability for bullies.

Try your very best to complete your last two years (those high school years will be a breeze), it might seem like a hassle now but it will be worth getting your high school diploma later on. Please don’t give up. Best wishes for the future and beyond!