I’m 17, and when COVID hit, I really struggled. I fell behind in school, got depressed, and was held back twice. I’m doing online school now, but I’m still in 10th grade when I should be in 12th. I’m thinking about dropping out and getting my GED instead because catching up feels impossible. My goal is to attend a decent out-of-state college, not a top-tier one, but somewhere I can experience dorm life and make up for missing high school social experiences. I’m worried that having a GED will make it harder to get into a 4-year college, or that people will judge me for it. I want to know if going the GED route will limit my future and make it harder to be successful and happy. What are your thoughts?
You won’t regret getting your GED. But if you can get a diploma, that’s even better. Good luck, and keep pushing forward.
Henry said:
You won’t regret getting your GED. But if you can get a diploma, that’s even better. Good luck, and keep pushing forward.
Are you talking about my GED or a diploma?
Henry said:
You won’t regret getting your GED. But if you can get a diploma, that’s even better. Good luck, and keep pushing forward.
Are you talking about my GED or a diploma?
I was answering your question about getting the GED. If you get it, you won’t regret it. But if you have a shot at getting a diploma, that would be your first choice. Stay positive and persistent!
You haven’t ruined your life. This is just a bump in the road. I’d recommend taking a GED practice test to see where you’re at with your skills. You can take one here: Test Previews - GED.
If you do well, maybe the GED is a good option. But if you want to go to a 4-year college, especially out of state, you’ll likely need strong SAT or ACT scores to go with it, and colleges might look closely at your GED test scores.
Also, don’t forget, if you stick with high school, you’ll still have time to catch up socially—dances, clubs, graduation, etc. I know it seems like a long time, but there are benefits to staying in school if that’s an option.
@Sadie
I’m in online school, and if I went back to a physical school, I’d be older than most of the students. I feel like I’m too old for things like prom and dances now.
oddah said:
@Sadie
I’m in online school, and if I went back to a physical school, I’d be older than most of the students. I feel like I’m too old for things like prom and dances now.
You’re not too old! I went to prom with someone who was 19 when I was 17. If those experiences matter to you, don’t let your age stop you. But if you’re not interested in those things, that’s okay too. You just have options.
If you can’t drop out until you’re 18, why not use the time to be productive? Look into community college transfer programs, take CLEP exams, and knock out some courses while you’re still in high school. That way, when you turn 18, you’ll be ahead of the game with college credits.
I work in manufacturing, and I’ve heard that having a GED doesn’t carry as much weight in white-collar jobs or for getting into 4-year colleges. A lot of people with GEDs end up going to community colleges first. You can still have a great career through skilled trades or community college programs, but the GED can be seen as a drawback in some circles.
@VAL09
I’ve never heard of that being a big deal. If you’re worried about it, you could start at a community college and transfer to a 4-year school. Once you have some college credits, no one will care about your GED.
@VAL09
I went to a top research university with my GED after doing well at a community college. They didn’t care about the GED, just my GPA and application. Skilled trades are a great option too, but don’t let anyone tell you that a GED will hold you back if you want a degree.
Yes, get your GED! I also dropped out and got my GED because of depression and family issues. I went to community college and no one has ever looked down on me for it. Life gets better, especially once you take steps toward your goals. COVID messed things up for a lot of people, so don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll be okay!
I got my GED and now I’m a high school teacher. I struggled for years, working minimum wage jobs, but I eventually went to community college, then transferred to a four-year school, and even went to grad school.
You’re only 17, so you have plenty of time to figure things out. If you go the GED route, community college is a great way to get your footing and make sure you can handle college-level work. It’s also less expensive than dorms at a 4-year school, and distractions like parties won’t get in the way of your studies. But if you can get your diploma, that’s a solid option too.
Some community colleges will let you take courses without even having a GED, and after a year or two, you can transfer to a 4-year college. If you’re serious about moving forward, now is the time to start making plans. Good luck!
I was in a similar situation, falling behind in high school due to learning disabilities. I ended up joining the Navy and getting my GED afterward. Later, I went on to earn several degrees. Sometimes, a structured environment like the military can help you find direction and build the discipline you need. Whatever you decide, just know that this is only the beginning of your journey.