Is it possible to start college while I'm still a high schooler?

Question

I messed up my recent years in high school. This is my starting 5th year in high school and I am still a softmore. My guidense counselor told me that I might not even make it in time if I use the rest of my few years allowed in high school. There isn't enough time to complete all the courses required. I don't want to drop out to take the ged. And I don't want to go to college when I'm in my 20s. I know my grades are very bad. Not because I don't have the knowledge to pass the class. But the modivation.. Now I'm trying my best. A little late but I'm still trying. Is there anything I can do to go to college faster? Or go to college while I'm still in high school?

Answer 1

I know several high school students who took college courses. They were all very bright, 4.0 averages, went to high school until early or mid-afternoon and then took one or two courses. My granddaughter completed her high school courses before starting the college course. She was less board taking the college class and I believe it was recommended by the guidance counselor and approved by the college. The other two also got the high school credits for the courses they took in college while completing their high school diploma. You will certainly need to bring your grades up if you plan to attend college. That should be motivation enough. You are probably behind in your classes so ask your guidance counselor to see if there's another student or someone else who can tutor you. Go for the GED, I know plenty of students who did and have made very good livings for themselves, some went to college and some didn't. Good luck.

Answer 2

Actually, there is a program in my city which allows high school kids to take college courses while still in high school, and the school pays for it all. My niece is in this, she has been since her sophmore year when she was around 15 or so. But the students already need a certain GPA to qualify. Its not a national program, just something ran by our local school board i believe. I have no clue if your local school board offers anything like that.
Regardless, if i were you i would just take my time. Really. There is nothing at all wrong with being in college in your 20s. And another thing, a 4 year college really isnt for everyone. Maybe you should think more in the lines of a 2 year technical/vocational type community college once you get out of high school.
Just take your time, try to do your best in these last few years of high school. Try to learn what you can now, then when you finish start thinking about college.

Answer 3

You need to go to a local community college and talk to a counselor. You might be able to take a GED class and earn your high school diploma if you are over 18. You could also take some college courses at the same time. If you are under 18, you should stay in high school. You need to make better grades. This means hard work. Also, talk to your teachers. The better they know you the more they can help you on a personal level. Your teachers can be your best friends.

Answer 4

There are a couple of things that you can do.

#1) look at your schedule and eliminate anything during the week that doesn't have to do with school and homework.

#2) talk to your guidance counselor and have them tell you exactly what classes you have to take to graduate.

#3) Ignore the people around you who are putting you down. Because of your age, people are bound to make fun of you. Ignore them. You will always have to deal with people like that and its best to just focus on YOUR LIFE and what YOU WANT out of it.

#4) Be proud of yourself for sticking to it.

#5) Don't worry about college right now. Worry about what you have to do to graduate high school.

#6) In some states there are alternate schools where you can take classes at your own pace. If you are REALLY motivated now, it might be a good place for you.

#7) Read as much as you can. Start at whatever level of books is the easiest for you to handle and read a bunch of those then move up to more challenging material.

#8) Never give up. Everyone goes through periods of time where they run a little behind the competition. Those days are over for you now. You're on the right track.

#9) There are some programs for taking college courses while you are still in high school, but its more important for you to focus on knocking out your classes in high school.

#10) Avoid the big things that can knock you for a loop -- drugs, alcohol, getting (or getting someone) pregnant, crime, etc.

Answer 5

wow, unfortunatey, you need your diploma to get a degree. If your counselor says you wont make it, you should just get your GED and call it even. Then you can begin with college and move on. There really is no difference between a diploma nd GED, they are equivilant and hold the same value, and if you are going to college, it is in the past and you are ready to better yourslef. If you feel the urge to try to do the highschool against your counselors advice, then the answer is yes, you can attend college while in highschool. Contact your local college and ask to set up an appointment with a counselor there. Once you meet with him/her, explain your situation and theyw ill tell you the best route to take and maybe even set you up withsome classes at night to get the ball rolling. I give you mad props for trying to achieve this goal. Some people may talk crap but don't let it get to you. Yeah it sucks that you messed up before but you finally realized how important it is, better late than never is what i say!! I wish you the best of luck and hope it all works out for you!

Answer 6

I took college courses while I was in high school. I'm pretty sure if you have a college close to you, you can start. The only thing is that I"m not sure if you'll be able to take anything other than electives since some of the classes like english or math are dependant on the fact that you completed a certain level during high school and passed.

Answer 7

Yes you can go to college while in high school. There is a high school student in my colege physics class right now.

What you need to do is go see your guidance counselor and tell them you are interested in going to college as well. For them to approve you, you need to be in a situation like:

If your high school was 4 classes a day, and you only needed 2 classes to graduate, you take those 2 classes then for the last 2 classes you can drive to college and take classes there. Some schools have a limit on it where it can't be a night class, but either way you have to been proven that your high school credits are taken care of where you can finish out the day by starting college. Usually they send you to the local community college. Your guidance counselor will give details, just ask them and they do everything and tell you what's up. You just have to sign stuff and pick the classes.

Answer 8

Why not try a technical college? You sound a little like the guys who become HVAC specialists, and make $50 to $75 an hour at the Port of Oakland close by here.

You can start most vo-tech colleges immediately,and finish high school while there. People who are respected for being professionals in a good trade seem to have no problem being motivated, from what I've seen.

Answer 9

If you really are so far behind in your high school studies, I think the best thing you can do is focus on getting good grades in your high school classes. There is nothing wrong with being an older college student (I didn't graduate until I was 27), and if you learn the basics now, you'll have an easier time in college.
I was in the same position as you; I really messed up my high school, as well as my first few years of college, but when I knew I wanted to succeed, I took my time to really learn the subjects, and graduated with honors! This helped me get into grad school, and now I have my Master's!

Answer 10

you can take an AP class which offers a college credit if u pass the AP exam. or you can graduate early if u have enough credits..but i suggest the AP classes. ask ur dean about it, its pretty much just like any other class but more advanced, and if the school doesnt offer the exam, if u take the class, a local college should send u a letter in the mail asking if u want to take it there. that way u can complete 1 college credit while in high school. hope this helps!