If you had the choice?

Question

I was wondering, if you were able to choose. Would you rather go to an online school, or an ACTUAL high school, which would you choose and why. I did online school for my freshman year and I'm not sure if I want go online this year, or actually GO to the high school. I get straight A's online (which I'm almost positive I wouldn't do if I WENT to school), but I have no social life what-so-ever. And I have severe social anxiety, so far untreated. If you were in my position, which one would you choose and why?

Answer 1

I think a very important part of one's education is learning the things that aren't included in the coursework, namely how to get along in society. You say you suffer from social anxiety, but I'm uncertain whether this is an actual diagnosis or if you are just sort of freaked out by the thought of interacting with so many other people. Since grades are very important in high school, I can also see that you might prefer to get those more positive A's that online education offers.

But what after high school? It seems to be really prepared for life as an adult (which is a goal of high school education, right?) it's important to get some help for your social anxiety. Is it possible to start treatment while continuing a bit longer with the online program, but shifting over to actual school attendance as your treatment progresses? There are other opportunities that you could seek out in order to interact with others, but attending school and participating in some extracurricular activity that really interests you is hard to beat.

I think if I were you, I'd investigate what services exist for me in the local school. Your parents are the most likely ones to do that. If you are diagnosed with the anxiety disorder, then the school may well have to provide some services to help you. Special Education services are mandated by federal law. The school HAS to offer them.

Good luck to you. I hope you'll take good care of yourself.

Answer 2

I would definitely choose to an actual school. The interaction between teachers and students, and students and other students is a necessary part of growing. How do you learn social skills when you are not out in society? How can you learn from others' experience and background?
If grades are your only goal, stay where you are, but to grow into a normal, well rounded person, get out there. If social anxiety is an issue, go to a private school where classes are small and you can select the atmosphere that best suits you.

Answer 3

I teach for an online school in Ohio. I think I would have done better if I had had an online school to go to when I was in high school. If you have no social life, try finding an activity that you like in your area. For example, girl scouting, area play productions, library programs, volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home, join a church program, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or pet shelter. These are just a few things that will help you find a social life and may help you overcome your social anxiety!

Answer 4

Of course, you should go to ACTUAL high school. There is an importance of social life and even if you may get A's online but it won't work for you in the future unless you have a social life.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have answered your own question(s). Get your anxiety order treated. Go to school. You say that you are missing the socializing, go. If it doesnt work it is not like you cannot go back to the online schooling, so what do you have to lose. Get your condition treated and meet people, pass high school and go on to be a productive citizen.

Answer 6

By all means, go to high school. Education is more than what you learn in a book. You need interaction with your peers. Join clubs that cater to your talents and interests. Success is not measured in all A's. That is great but in the real world it is the well rounded person that gets ahead and is happiness.

You don't need to be the most popular or a social butterfly. Just be yourself and you will find your own niche. Good luck

Answer 7

You cannot say that since you got straight A's on-line, therefore you would not get straight A's at a school. Where do you get that idea? It is as false as snow in summer. The key is the level of education you are getting on-line compared to the same grade at school. For example, a beginner in Spanish would be over his head in advanced Spanish. This would lead him to conclude that languages are not his forté. He would believe that, and never know that he is gifted in that area. However, I got lucky and found out I was gifted in languages. I didn't feel that way when I was in that advanced class, but when I restarted at Spanish 1, I did really great por eso puedo hablar bastante Español. Now if you decide to go to school it is important that you enter at the level you need to be. It could be that you are at a higher level or it could be that you are at a lower level. This is so important because you are a person that if you got in over your head, you wouldn't conclude that they placed you too high and you need to drop down a level; you would conclude that you are dumb, can't win, a loser. All this is false but that is the way you are wired right now.

However your biggest problem is your "severe social anxiety".
First I must say that I am very sorry that you have to suffer this. Fear has torment. It is not something you can will away. You do fine with people you know and are familiar with. There are two thoughts that everyone in this condition must thoroughly understand: 1) Fear itself is the enemy, not the social environment. Fear is bad; it torments its victims. The social environment can be good or bad. People can be cruel or nice. However your problem is not with new persons or groups; your problem is with fear. THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF. Fear is the enemy. Take away the fear and the problem with new persons and groups disappears. That is an important distinction to make. Realize that fear is your enemy, not people or groups of people.
2) You need to know that people put their pants and dresses on the same way everyone else does. You are just as good as the next person. They are not better than you and they are not lesser than you. You are not better than them and you are not lesser than them. Yet all of your self-talk is this big lie that you are lesser. Quit that. It is false. You put your shoes on just like the next person does. And I don't even want to hear how ugly you are. Look around in any grocery store. Look at all us ugly people. Am I exaggerating? Not at all. Movie star looks are in Hollywood, but rarely do you find a really beautiful person in every day life. Most of us are just plain Johns and Janes, but we have the most fun.
You may need counseling to help you change your false beliefs about yourself. Undoubtedly there is a whole story you need to share about hurts received (and hurts dished out), anger, bitterness, death wish, fears, inadequacies, etc. You need to share your inner thoughts without fear of rebuke. So I do recommend counseling.



Cheer up, there is a way out. Yes there is.

Answer 8

AS yoda would say " do or do not there is no try" Face your fears or you will always be living in fear. We are always anxious about things we don't know alot about. There is'nt a person out there that if they were truly honest was'nt afraid at one time or another going to school. You can not live your life online nor should your education strictly be online, meet people and stake your claim to your place in their universe.

Answer 9

I had social anxiety through high school as well. I didn't particularly fit in (I moved to Utah from Houston in 8th grade...big contrast). But sitting at home is not going to help you work through your anxiety. Life is about learning. If you struggle with something, attack it head on...that makes things more fun in the long run.

Answer 10

With social anxiety, that becomes a trickier question.
I'd choose a "real" high school just because there's more interaction with other classmates - sometimes they have interesting facts and questions and may challenge your intellect.
But then there are "people" there... it becomes a consideration.
If you feel you are ready, then go for it. You can always go back on line if it becomes overwhelming.