GED Stories

Name: Rhonda

Age: 38

What motivated you to get your GED? Life is hard. You need more than a GED, you need a college degree. I have been out of school for 21 years, a very long time, and I have tried several times to go back to school, but something has always stopped me. Now I’m really, really ready to get my GED. It’s sooo important, and I am so ashamed of my life. I want a better job, and I don’t want to be ashamed anymore.

How have your friends and family helped you? Well, I wish my family would have encouraged me to stay in school or helped me find another school that I could attend. However, my friends talk to me often and have encouraged me to take the test, but I am so nervous. I have only taken the test once, and that was years ago.

What problems have you faced? I have faced embarrassment due to not having my diploma. I just go on with life,  knowing that I am better and will do better. I really need help finding a school that I can attend. It’s been so hard for me. I was attending a community college, but they really didn’t offer that much help to me. It was like I was working all alone, and I have been out of school so long, I really need the help.

What do you hope to gain from getting your GED? I hope to feel better about myself and get a better paying job. I want to attend college. It’s never to too late until you’re 6 feet under. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t, because you can. I dream of getting my GED and feeling so proud of myself. Being able to fill out an application and not having to think, “Oh, I don’t have a high school diploma. What should I put?” I am really working on doing it this time. It’s time. It’s been long enough.

Do you have more to your story? I just want my GED, and I don’t feel like you should have to pay so much money for it. People should want to help you.

Rhonda,

You’re right, life can be hard. That’s why it takes hard work to keep up. But you’re not alone. A lot of community colleges have tutoring programs. You can also talk to councillors at the colleges who can show you all the resources available both for academic and financial help. We also have lots of resources and information at passged.com, and you can take a free practice test to get you started on learning what it is you need help with most on your GED. Unfortunately, not everything can be free. The GED costs money to administer. Tests must be printed, there must be a place for you to take the test, there are employees who give out the test who must be paid, and the test itself must be created, which also costs money. This is why it costs money to take the test. That’s also why you must be certain you can pass it before going in. Find a good study program, search for an adult education class, get your friends to help you, or start a study group of your own. Once you feel you’re ready, take a full practice test before going in. If you don’t pass it, you know exactly what you need to study more. If you do, you’ll know you can do it again for the real test.

You can pass the GED. Just have confidence in yourself, study every day, and know that there are people out there who want to help. You’re not alone!

The GED Academy