GED Stories

I felt like school wasn’t for me. Like every one else, I was so good in 6 thru 8th grade. when I got to 9th I was still good. That’s when everything fell apart when we came back from winter break. I started skipping class with my brother’s girlfriend, even with my brother. At one point I loved school. I didn’t want to miss one day. I started to hang out with the wrong crew. My family always said that can happen. That if you hang out with the wrong people that can really mess you up. I wasn’t really listening to them. I was thinking like, that can ‘t never happen to me. Trust me, it can. I was 16 years old when I had my baby. I love that she is her. I just been thru so much stuff with my mother about my baby. My mother even beat me. She treat me like I’m not her child.

I left school in 10th grade. I felt like it wasn’t for me. The work even started getting harder after all the times I got suspened. I couldn’t handle it no more, it was just getting too stressful for me at 15 years old. I argued with everyone in school. I even was arguing with my math teacher. Something that I will never do or have ever done before in my life. I just got that. I don’t want to ever be like that again.

I want to get my GED because, it’s hard when you got a baby and try to get a job without no high school diploma. My hopes are for my daughter to get older and don’t follow up and behide me. I want her to get her high school diploma. I want her to be whatever she wants to be. My goals are to become a stylist. I love to do hair but, I want to do other things too because I want to have my own shop. My dream is to be successful in my life and, for my baby to have to have whatever she wants.

If I just get my GED, my dreams can take off, that’s what I think could help for my dreams. I just need a little help.

I just try so hard to take care of my baby. It’s hard to do. I just want to tell every lady that’s headed the way I went just stop now because trust me it’s not easy. If you’re in school stay in school. It’s much easier when you are in school. TRUST ME.

Shaquita,  17,  Chicago, IL

Shaquita,

Thanks so much for sharing your story, and your advice. You’re absolutely right, and you’re speaking from experience. It sounds like you didn’t get the support you needed, at home or in school. That’s a shame, because everyone needs support and help to get going in life. When you went through a hard time in school, you needed some support and help to get back on track.

Now, you know what you have to do. You CAN get your GED. It might be hard, but try to find someone in your home or your community who can give you support, if only to pat you on the back and say “you’re doing the right thing,” or “I know it’s tough, but you can do it.” Because those things are true! But they’re easy to forget.

The GED Academy tries to make study programs that make getting a GED as easy as possible… that means, being able to study at home, being able to study at your own pace, being able to start at the beginning and learn in simple, easy-to-understand lessons. Because we know that people who are trying to get their GED have a lot going on in their lives, responsibilities like small children and paying the bills.

Here’s the good news: you were a good student through the beginning of 9th grade! That puts you pretty far toward what you need to know to pass the GED. You’ve got a good foundation! What you learned before gives you background to pass, and it will make your studying much easier! Take a practice test to see what the GED is like and how you do. You’ll probably need to brush up on some of your high school skills, but you might find that you’re ready to pass some of the tests right away. And that will give you more confidence. Remember: you CAN pass. Stay motivated, and let us know when you get your GED!

The GED Academy