Should I drop out of highschool?

Question

I have been really wanting to drop out of highschool for the past few years. lately, I have been depressed, my grades have been dropping, I have no motivation what-so-ever, I feel isolated, worned-out, hopeless and I'm just getting further and further behind. school, friends and family all have been and issue. school just started not so long ago and yet, I have skipped so many days of school, it seems impossible to make-up the work and materials. what should I do? even though I am a highschool senior and still have a 3.9 GPA, I want to give up on school already. My parents have agreed to let me drop out of highschool. i'm not quite sure of what I really want to do just yet. I am thinking of taking some time off of school. so, my question is, will this affect me later in the future when I try to get into colleges, apply for a job, obtain a degree? What are other alternatives? opinions? anybody out who have actually dropped out of highschool and became successful? chances? thanks!

I would like to thank all of you so much for the good advices you all have given me. I really appreciate the help. To I talked to my counselor decided to drop the majority of my classes and start fresh next quarter at the community college. Thankfully, there is a program in my area that allows students like me to take college classes for highschool and college credit at the same time! Now how cool is that? This would also allow me to graduate on time with my peers. Meanwhile, I am going to be working, enjoying life, and taking fun classes. Again, thank you sooooo much for the great advices!

Answer 1

♥ Hun... have you been to a therapist to help you with your depression? There are perscriptions that can help you with that. And if you are majorally depressed then you may be able to get on a program [[which through my highschool was]] called Homebound. People who were pregnant, or had medical issues, and other allowances were able to go on this program where a teacher came to your house like 3 times a work for 4 hours a day and helped you with your schoolwork so that you wouldnt fall behind. Talk to your counseler and parents about this because you dont want to drop out of school. I feel it is something that you will regret... Good Luck!

Answer 2

I understand depression and the overwhelming feeling of uselessness. It seems as though you are the only one going through this. I don't care what it takes you need to get to a professional as soon as possible. Something is bothering you and the only way you can move on is if the situation is resolved. I work at Job Corps which is an alternative educational setting where you can get a trade or a GED. Some even offer a high school diploma. It is not easy. A lot of the students say they should have stayed at the regular school. Do not let anyone glamorize the GED. The test is hard. You are literally cramming four years in to one or two days. It's hard trying to make it without a diploma. Stay in school with your GPA it would be a waste for you to not graduate. You are so close. We are talking about less than a year. The time will will go by very fast. I wish you lots of luck, stay the course and talk to someone about your problems.

Answer 3

You are so close to being done. Don't do it! It is hard to get a decent job without a high school diploma. Colleges do look at if you have a GED or a diploma. Just set a schedule to do a little bit of the makeup work every day and you will get through it. Perhaps your parents can get you a tutor to help you get organized and set a goal on the makeup work.
Finish high school and take time off befor going to college. Colleges don't care if you take time before you apply. Does your school district have an alternative learning center? It is usually for students that misbehave, but it is also for students that are having a hard time completing school. You can work at your own pace there and still get a high school diploma.
You need to talk to your school counselor about how you are feeling and how you are having a hard time with the make up work, the counselor should be able to help you.

Answer 4

Okay, Im not gonna be like every one else and tell you that its a bad idea, but I am gonna tell you that this is a big decision and you dont need to make any hasty decisions. I dropped out my junior year. I took a year off then i went back my senior year and graduated. We had a program at my high school where you can take the GED and still get an actual high school diploma. I was able to work 2 full time jobs and still graduate. I will tell you this though, its tough that I didnt go the traditional way through high school. Im trying to get into colleges now and they need 2 copies of the GED transcript, and also my high school transcripts. Its getting to be a pain. Since i didnt graduate traditionally, the school counselor wont help me with anything. So what I am saying is, if you want to dropout, BE SURE ITS WHATS BEST!!!

Answer 5

The other answers are full of good advice.

Please go and see your high school counselor. Just bring in the paragraph you posted as a question and hand it to the counselor. He or she will help you start sorting things out and making a solid plan for the future.

If your family is part of the problem, then quitting high school without a clear plan or a job is NOT GOING TO HELP. Seriously. Going away to college, however, could definitely help.

Finally, consider this: some people have a pattern of feeling hopeless/wanting to quit just before they finish something big. Do you see this pattern in your own life? Do you have a lot of projects that are almost done, which you've put a lot of work into but haven't quite finished or gotten out the door? If so, just recognizing this pattern in your life can help a lot. Say to yourself, "I'm almost done, so I've got that familiar 'what's-the-point' feeling ... this is the time to buckle down and finish up, without letting perfectionism sidetrack me."

Good luck.

PS Margarita--I checked your profile and saw that 9% of your answers have been labeled "best answer." That is incredible!!! The world needs you, and the best way to put your brain and heart to work is to move ahead, complete your education, and enter the working world.

Answer 6

If you drop out because you're depressed, what will you spend your days doing? You may sit around and become more depressed. If you are going to leave, it may be a good idea to have a plan for what you're going to do with yourself. Have you considered going for treatment for your depression, even if it's only talking to a professional once a week?

Having no high school diploma does look bad to employers and colleges.- It's like you've said you can't make it. Even getting a GED later doesn't look as good- other than that, I think the Diploma and the GED indicate the same level of education- practically none.

Do you have any alternative schools nearby, such as one that lets you count experience in "the real world" as school credits? Could you get into a High School that focuses on your interests, such as an arts or sciences or mathematics?

Answer 7

No freakin way should you drop out. You're a senior, you're able to maintain a 3.9 GPA...(how'd you do that btw if you missed a lot of school?) Anyway, I think the best tthing for yu to do is get yourself motivated ASAP. Think about how soon you'll get out; the better jobs you can get with a high school diploma. There must be something you're interested in doing after high school, something you've always been good at? Always loved to do? Do a little research about what it takes to do those things. Talk to a teacher about help with school work...Its supposed to be what they get paid for! You're obviously self-aware and diligent enough to get good enough grades but still question the fact that you're not happy in school. The way I see it, the only way to be successful w/o graduating from high school is to become something like an artist or inventor. If you still try to get into a college after taking time of a from high school then colleges will definetely take your giving up into account when they're looking for people to admit into their school because they may see it as if you can give up now, you can give up with them too. Just please think about those things b4 you make a decision. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Someone who did as well as you for the first three years probably has developed clinical depression to be thinking this way. You should get professional help. Probably you will need to take some anti-depressants, and you will be back on top of things in no time. You might be better off to withdraw for a year and get yourself sorted out, but don't just quit. If you have medical reasons for taking a year off from high school, colleges will be very understanding. If you stick out the year without getting any help and get terrible grades, they will be less understanding. It sounds like you are quite smart, and could work your way back up by going to a community college, but getting some counseling now is definitely what's best for you. Good luck!

Answer 9

You need to finish high school. It is stupid to drop out during your senior year especially if you have the grades to go to college in the future.

Gut it out for one more year and then take some time off before deciding what you want to do. Thousands of kids take time off between high school and college. But, you really need to get your diploma if you have any notions of getting any kind of a decent full-time job.

Get your diploma though because if you do decide you want to continue your education two or three years down the road you will have an easier time getting accepted into a decent college than if you go back and get your GED or what have you.

Answer 10

There are many people who have succeeded without finishing high school, but there are far more that have met with negative consequences. Regardless of the reason for dropping out, you will be seen as a quitter, or at the very least as someone who does not finish things. Your job opportunities wioll primarily fall into the minimum wage category and you will not find a lot of colleges willing to accept you. You would be better served to seek help from a school counselor or private therapist for your depression which will likely get worse, not better after dropping out.