GED Stories

Vanessa from NY

I knew I needed my GED since I came to America in 1992. I did get it, however; I took it about 5 times and kept failing because of the math. I’ve been taking the GED since it was 3 digits, and the passing score was 225. I kept going and going, but kept giving up every time I got the results back, and I didn’t pass. Then when they changed the GED to the 2250 score, I took it again (in 2006) and failed the math again with same old low ugly score of 360. I was so hurt that I called Albany and asked one of the representatives if someone up there knew me because they kept on giving me the same 36/360 ugly score in math! The lady of course laughed at me, and said girl are you crazy (yeah, I was in so much denial that it was messing with my mind). However, after getting “fired” from my job this January 2013, I knew I had to do something because with all the skills I had I was not earning the money I needed and wanted because I had no degree.
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Rebeca from Florida

I want more for my life. I want to study what I love, so I can find a job doing what I love. To do that, you need a GED and a college degree. I’m very blessed to have my family and friends around to support and encourage me 100%.

I was never good in school or with tests. I struggled a lot with math and a little with reading. I’m in my 20s and was home schooled through middle & high school. I don’t feel like I learned much in school, because I struggled so much. However, right now I am doing the best I can to study by myself with a GED prep book and such, but… with some things I do get really stuck on and it’s incredibly frustrating! I read everywhere to practice, practice, practice, but it’s almost impossible to practice something you don’t understand. That’s where a tutor or supportive friend comes in I guess. But the thing with tutors is finding the right one you actually learn from. (more…)

Anna

I’m married with 3 kids, and my oldest daughter is going to graduate this year! I’m a very proud mother to see my daughter achieve her goals. I just wish I could have been more of a help to her. My husband does everything to help my daughter learn. I want to be more of a help when it comes to my kids with their studies. So I want to be a good example to my kids and show them how important it is to have a diploma or a GED. (more…)

Rachel from NC – 19

When I was a senior in high school, I started getting bullied at school. I had only been there for maybe a month and a half when I just started skipping days. I hated school, and I was doing horrible in my classes. I have always been bad at math (all A’s in other classes and then D’s or F’s in math), and I had a 36 in my senior math class. I tried to seek help, but nothing could bring my grade up. I decided one day that I could not do it anymore. I have been doing some prep online for my GED, but I’m still clueless with the math part. I’m terrified that I will never get my GED because of the math. I just really need to get my GED so I can go to college and get a good job. (more…)

Ashley from Oregon – 25

I always wanted to get my high school diploma, but I got pregnant at sixteen and decided to drop out. When I turned eighteen, I went back with fourteen credits, but the school that I went back to told me I only had ten (even when I had the proof in writing from the last school I attended), so was pissed! I said forget it and dropped out again because I figured I’d get my GED faster anyway. Wrong! It took me a while because I was in a very bad car accident. I suffered severe head trauma, my face from my nose on up all bones are broken, a piece of my brain is gone. I have a titanium plate in my head to hold my brain up. I had to learn how to read and write all over again. So like I said its hard, or at least that’s what I thought. I already took the test this January and did pretty good! I scored a 420 in both language arts (reading and writing), 430 in science, 440 in social studies and 370 in math. So I know I can pass it, its just that dang math I can’t get for the life of me! (more…)

Melody from Morristown, TN – 31

I want to have the life I’ve wanted since I was a little girl, and my family tells me I should get my GED. But I need help with all of it. (more…)

Tyler from Gadsden, Alabama – 16

I have been out of school since I was 14. I am two years behind, and I feel like it would be a lot easier for me to get my GED.

I’ve been out of school for two years for many reasons. I’ve been trying homeschooling since August, but it causes so many problems. I want to know if I can go to a school that I used to go to six years ago and see if they will do what’s necessary for me to drop out and enroll in GED classes. Is this possible? I have a lot of problems with the last school I was at. If I had to get my drop out papers from them, then it would never happen. In the last two year, I’ve never officially dropped out. At least I dont think so. Help! (more…)

Kim from New Jersey – 38

I refused to be a statistic. I grew up in Camden, NJ which has a drop out rate of over 50 percent. I wanted more for my life and was not going to settle. School was not challenging. I did not fit in, so I drifted. By the end of the tenth grade I wanted out. No money to go to a private school, so I just dropped out. People, including my own family, did not believe I could do it, so I had no support and limited encouragement. I had to figure out everything by myself, like financial aid and college applications. I did it, which sucked at the time, but it just made me stronger. It was my faith in God that pulled me through. I knew that he would do it for me. I dropped out at age 17 in 1991. I got my GED two months later. I started college in 1992 while my classmates were still in high school! I was able to start at a four year college. I was so lucky! I was having problems at home and needed to be away. In my junior year, I transferred to Rutgers University. I earned my BA in Sociology in 1997 and my Master’s degree in Social Work in 1999. I was 24 years old and did more than some of my old classmates at the time and even now. (more…)

Desiree from Pearl, MS – 17

I have a kid, and I need to do better for her. In order to do that, I have to do better for myself. My daughter inspired me to do better, because I am all she has.

I stress out about everything, and my mom constantly tells me I’m a bad person. She says I was a mistake, and that she has never believed in me. My mom has offered no support whatsoever.

In the future, I plan to go to college for my RN. (more…)

Kaitlyn from Apopka, FL - 17

I want to be someone, and make something of my life. I want to have a good paying job. My friends and family help by pushing me. They’ve never given up on me.

One day, I want to do something big. Then I can give my kids the sort of things I never got. (more…)