There's No Future in Dropping Out

Xmichra Answers

This was sent to Aunt Babz via email...

Aunt Babz,

heya my names carl im 15 =]

ive been getting really stressed lately because of the following matters:

school


school is really stressing me out lately i find hard to do the work and keep up with the coursework this is very stressing because i don't understand it ive also been put in a lot of classes where i don't fit in because its full of popular people and they all ignore me and stuff. also i get bullyed a bit of school because my hair style and the music i like and im not enjoying it. i just want to leave and get a job and earn money to go live near my girlfriend when im 18-19 its a long distance thing so we hardly see each other so i want to move near her and be with her and school is in my way of this.

help?


thanks ?

Dear Carl,

Sometimes when young love is involved, things get in the way of decision. I know that you care for your girlfriend, but making a decision based on her geography now will be something that you may later regret. So instead of focusing on her location at the moment, lets work out your schooling issues.

It is the beginning of the school year, and I remember how I felt that first few weeks with new classes and people around me. It’s nerve racking and I can assure you that it gets better as the year progresses. You are fifteen now, so I am assuming that you have either entered grade nine or ten (depends on the person really). Both of these grades are much more difficult then the years previous for the simple reason that the teachers are trying to guide you towards a college learning habit. That is to say, more studying more pop quizzes and higher expectations with your oral and written communication. So there is a fair bit to get used too… it’s not like jr. high or elementary, and you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed.

But I can tell you right now that if you decided to leave school and find employment while you still have the ability both mentally and financially, you will be setting up your future for some real hard disappointments. The number one of those is the likelihood of not gaining meaningful employment later in your life. Sure making a few hundred dollars now seems like a lot of money, but in five years that is not going to be sustainable to your life and living your life.

The other people in your class should not sway you to leave or stay in school, even though I do understand how that can feel and that feeling is very strong. You can’t let the reactions of others depict what you want to do, and will do in your life. It is a tough lesson to learn, and often not an easy one… but imagine if you let others bring you down all the time? In high school, college, work, everywhere there are people that will not be the same as you. And there will be plenty of assholes out there, there is no shortage believe me. But like I have said before, the trick is to not be prey to one, or to become one. And I have this feeling that if you were to cut your schooling that you will later be resentful in life, and you will be hardened by that. So please do yourself a favor and fight back now, and stay in school.

If you need extra help, go to your teachers. If they themselves cannot help one on one, they can usually find a tutor or a study group to join. Also, let your parents know of the frustration that you are feeling regarding school and maybe they can find a way to help you as well.

It all comes down to your life and how bright you want your future to be. If you want to limit your possibilities then dropping out of school and trying to make your way in the world of jobs is definitely going to hinder you. But if you want to be able to rise above this, and be in a good position for when you are nineteen and living on your own… then please, stay in school and do what you can. Then, if it was really meant to be, you and your girlfriend can start a good life together with hope and education behind you.

Good luck Carl.

Aunt Babz Said,

Carl, I agree with Xmichra on this. In this day and age, it's so difficult to get a good job without a high school diploma. It's even harder for those that don't have college. Those with some college are filling the ranks of workforce, now, of those that don't have a diploma. The pecking order is getting more difficult. Unless you have some technical schooling, you're going to be in trouble.

I have labels on my sidebar, concerning Empowerment. Do your homework and read as many as possible. You've got to get to a point where you don't give a flying sausage what anyone else thinks of you. Once you are secure in yourself, always being honest with you, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.