I was not mature enough… I didn’t care enough… I did no work and showed no interest… I got D’s in many classes… Now that I’ve finished my education, I can’t retake my classes… I have almost zero chance of getting into a good college… I need to stop dwelling on the past, but it’s hard.
Have you thought about going to a junior or community college
What do you really want to do? What type of career are you aiming for? What steps do you need to take to reach your goals?
That’s not entirely true. You’re still young and have a lot of life ahead. Don’t be too hard on yourself, everyone makes mistakes. Life is full of them. The key is to learn and grow from these experiences.
I suggest looking into what your local community colleges offer. They are usually more affordable and can give you another chance to improve your grades. You mentioned getting D’s. Why did that happen? Was it a lack of motivation or effort? Identify what led to those grades and create a plan to avoid repeating those mistakes.
Establishing a daily routine helped me a lot. Set specific times for studying and work, and stick to them. You might need to try a few times before finding a routine that works for you.
Another option could be exploring trades. Many people take apprenticeships with little experience or education. Just be honest about your background so they know what to expect.
You could also consider working while going to school. There are many opportunities out there; you just need to explore what fits you.
Stay positive, your life isn’t wasted, it’s just beginning. Remember, even the most successful people faced failures. They learned from those experiences.
Good luck to you, I’m sure you’ll do well.
@Nixon
> Why did you get D’s? Was it a lack of motivation? Did you not pay attention? Did you not put in the effort?
No, my motivation faded after my ADHD meds wore off. Studying at home was tough, I didn’t pay attention at school, and I put in zero effort. I needed to fail, and now I’m stuck preparing for my AP exams, which are challenging because I chose them while on medication. I can’t change my course choices, and I’m worried I won’t score high enough for the design college I want.
I feel lost and can’t stop thinking about my past mistakes unless I drink.
@Scofield
Drinking won’t solve anything. Only you can decide to make an effort now. Worrying about past mistakes doesn’t help, but it could motivate you. Consider listening to Jim Rohn on YouTube. He’s a great teacher and mentor. You can choose to learn through books, libraries, or tutorials.
@Scofield
I understand, you’re in a tough spot.
You shouldn’t feel like you deserve to fail. These things happen. AP courses are demanding and require a level of responsibility. Your teachers should have noticed if something was off and reached out to you.
You mentioned struggling to study at home. Have you talked about these challenges with anyone who could help you?
Remember, things aren’t over. There are alternative paths to reach your goals. If you want to pursue design, do some research, connect with others, and take risks. If you desire something, you have to take the initiative to achieve it.
@Scofield
Have you considered getting back on your meds? That might be a good starting point. ADHD doesn’t just go away in adulthood; it’s a lifelong condition. You’ll need support for more than just your exams.
You can definitely get into a good college! Like another commenter said, starting at a community college is a smart move. When you apply to a four-year college, you can use your community college grades to show that you have what it takes instead of relying on your high school transcript. Many people do this. It’s often cheaper, and you can get general education classes done.
I was in a similar situation in high school because I didn’t care about the subjects. No one made them interesting for me.
I got into trades, worked hard, and earned an apprenticeship. I attended a technical school where subjects were taught through real-world examples, which I found relatable. I went from getting D’s in high school to averaging about 95%.
Now I make $150k a year, plus 15% in performance bonuses, and I only work half the month with six weeks of vacation.
You get to decide whether your high school mistakes will affect your future.
It’s worth mentioning that you don’t need a college degree to be happy and successful.
If you still want to go to college, it’s possible. Plans may change, but the journey is where the real education happens, not just books or tests. Mistakes are how we grow and learn.
Stay flexible and believe in yourself.
Honestly, I think there should be a class-action lawsuit for students who graduate without real knowledge or skills. Schools need to be honest about grades.
Alex said:
Honestly, I think there should be a class-action lawsuit for students who graduate without real knowledge or skills. Schools need to be honest about grades.
I agree it’s mainly my fault for not being motivated, plus I’ve had some serious mental health issues. But now that I’m ready to work hard, I can’t retake my classes or improve my grades.
I was in a similar spot in high school (graduated in the bottom 10%). I went to trade school after high school. After five years, I started community college. I basically redid high school subjects like algebra and chemistry. I transferred to a top engineering school. Eleven years after high school, I got a master’s in electrical engineering. Don’t give up.
It’s part of growing up; we all find our way. Our choices have consequences, and sometimes there are no do-overs.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to move forward. If college is your goal, start at a community college. If you do well, you can transfer to a good university. Once you graduate, no one will care where you started; they’ll only care where you finished.
Consider enrolling in a community college that has a bridge program to a four-year degree. Work hard in those classes, then transfer with less debt. I didn’t take school seriously because I had a rough childhood, and when I finally got serious, I wasted a lot of time and money trying to get into state and fancy colleges. Now I’m almost finished with my nursing program at community college and can get my RN, then BSN through these programs. Not doing well in high school doesn’t mean you’ll be uneducated for life.
You graduated. Community colleges accept everyone. Employers rarely ask about grades. Bricklayers make around $60 an hour in my city. You can keep learning and growing for the rest of your life.
You figured out how to make money, but you still have some things to learn.
Here’s what I suggest. Find a community college with a name that sounds like a good college. Enroll there, get good grades, and then apply to a university. If you are passionate about your career, you’ll figure things out as you go. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t go to college just because of your past.
My cousin took this route. He was the only one in his family to graduate from college.
As a high school teacher, I often see students struggling. I believe the school system can fail students, but you’re not alone. Talk to a guidance counselor; there are options. Community colleges can be great stepping stones.