Need Advice: Undecided on early graduation

I've never really liked school much, until third grade I couldn't read, and before fourth I was never good at academics. Around 4th and 5th grade I found myself becoming competitive, and throughout middle school I maintained good grades; although I lost some interest after 6th. One thing I remember about middle school was although I didn't manage time well, and I wasn't the most popular kid I said to myself "If I learn to manage my time, do hw right away, and go to bed early, life can actually be good" Haha, although I never fulfilled my promises, I always really believed that.

When I was about to start freshmen year, last summer I said the same thing, believed it, and even though I did have those jitters similar to those back when I started middle school, I thought I could adapt as I did before, and make it through.

However freshmen year was horrible, my teachers didn't care and were more unreasonable; I failed and got D's on many, many geometry tests, barely escaping with an A- final grade; and at the beginning of the year I got in the worst, most mean-spirited fight when two of my friends (of which I don't have many) and we haven't spoken since. Even the school was physically depressing, in rain or shine.

As I'm going to start my sophomore year in high school I did what I have always done before a school year starts; say "If I learn to manage my time, do hw right away, and go to bed early, life can actually be good." The terrible thing was, this time I didn't believe it and knew it wasn't true. No matter who my teachers were or how my friendships developed I just knew the statement would not be true. On top of this, my brother who used to drive me home, and let me hang out with his friends, and understood and comforted me on many of my frustrations; was heading to college.

Yesterday my family and I helped my brother move into his dorm and attend some of the orientation events. I was instantly enamored with the college. With a comment from my mother I was reminded of high school. It brought chills to me. I told her how much I hated and loathed my high school and remembered and brought up the idea of early graduation. She agreed that we should look into it, however I want feedback/advice from you all.

I realize there are pros and cons. I'll be closer to college/closer to leaving the school I hate, I'll have a year's head start, and if I go to the same college as my brother, we'll be in the same college for two years instead of one. I also know that I won't be able to go to the prom; concerning me more, I won't be able to mark down any activities that I did in all four checkboxes on the common application, and at most I can only claim one AP course because all others are available senior year.

Anyway, I would really appreciate advice and feedback

In Kindness,

Diana

 

My first suggestion would be to talk to an advisor at the university, once you've found out the details & made sure that early graduation is a solid option. If you have a major in mind, talk to someone from that department, as well, as they sometimes are more helpful than the general advisors (tho sometimes not, but it never hurts to get extra opinions/advice). Of course, if you have no major in mind, no big deal, most people don't until the end of their sophmore year of college, then a considerable portion of them change majors at least once! But, they may be able to help you decide whether to go thru with it or not, based on what they know of the experiences of past students who did the early graduation option (assuming they know any).

Also, talk to someone in admissions. Find out what your chances are of getting in, what courses you need to be sure to have before graduation in order to be accepted (for example, I think some places expect 3 years of foreign language, you may need to do some summer courses if you haven't already started a foreign lang. class).

So, who cares if you won't be able to mark down activities in all four checkboxes? This is, of course, something to discuss with someone in admissions at the college you want to go to. Once you get in there, as long as you stay in for at least a year, nobody cares about your high school record. Unless you did something absolutely astounding in high school, those achievements are not really relevant to much of anything after you've been in college for a couple of years -- you are expected to get involved in clubs & try for honors at the collegiate level. Once you've had time to find a couple of good clubs & at least make the deans list for a couple of semesters, that's all anyone cares about. Sorry if I'm being redundant, I'm tired & rambling...

 

I know what your going through. I just graduated from high school and I stayed four years. Not only am I glad that I did not graduate early but I wish I could go back. Way back in the dawn of time I too was a freshman. I hated it. School sucked. But things changed. Actually, I should say that the people changed. You see, feshman year was very similar to middle school. Everbody is still just a kid. But as those 4 crazy years went by, everybody grew up. I can honestly say that I am a completely different person than I was freshman or even sophmore year. I think thats something that every high school graduate can say, but its true. As you finish high school, you find that Its not the same as when you started. You'll become freinds with people you formerly hated. You'll start to get involved in activities you thought you would never do. My advice: don't graduate early. It may seem like a bummer now but trust me: you'll miss it when its over.

 

Thanks Dawn for the advice. I have written emails both to the admissions office, and one of the assistant deans. I got a reply from the asst. dean and she honestly didn't know if any of her students were early graduates. I am still awaiting the other reply.

Fortunately, since my brother's college is the one I'm most interested in, there are a few booklets in the house that provide information about the school. The only reason I care about how my college application will look, and my lack of AP courses, is because I am afraid it might lessen my chances of getting admitted. Anyway, hopefully the pending response from the admissions office will help.

My mother just started a teaching job here, and yesterday she talked with my guidance counselor. Apparently, he isn't the most helpful counselor, and he really wasn't helpful when my mother asked about early graduation.

And bluespade, I might end up having a great run at high school if I stay all four years, but it doesn't seem likely. Today was my first day back at high school as an incoming sophomore. I can barely stand this school at the moment, especially since I found out I have 3 really hard teachers, four really hard classes, and most of my friends aren't in any of my classes. I guess another real reasons I am eager to get out is because to me everything about the place seems dreary, depressing, and abominable.

I would really appreciate anymore feedback because I am still very undecided on this issue.

In Kindness,

Diana

 

Just as an aside, has anyone here had a guidance counselor who actually was helpful? I don't think I know anyone who had a good high school guidance counselor...

 

lol my guidance counselers are nice but not very helpful

my therapist on the other hand, dr. bob, he's really good