GED Stories

April from Elbridge, NY – 36

Let me start out by saying that I am 36 years of age. I have three very beautiful daughters and a very supportive fiancé. I am disabled, and I have tried in the past to obtain my GED before and failed. Now that I have the support in my life, I feel I can achieve anything I put my mind to. My kids have always wanted me to get my GED, and I promised them I would at least try. My 18-year-old daughter is the first of my three kids to graduate. She has a tumor in her brain, and yet she pushes her way through school, has a job, and is getting ready to go to college. My 14-year-old has disabilities as well, and even though she struggles in school, she still passes all of her classes. My fiancé sees the potential that I have inside and tells me how much he would love to see me bring it to the surfice. They all stand behind me in my decision. I had to give up school because I was a teenage mom at 16. I’ve made several attempts to get my GED and have failed. With that in mind, I am so proud of myself for going after my GED with the support of my family and fiancé. Knowing all that, I know I can achieve it. (more…)

Nicole from Tupper Lake, NY – 25

I was 16-years-old when I found out I was pregnant with my first child in 2003. He’s not 7-years-old. I was working at McDonald’s for minimum wage. When I was 17, I began 11th grade and realized how much my child needed me. Going to school all day, then working all night, I’d never see him. So I decided to quit school and support him the best I could.

In 2005 I found out I was pregnant with my second child. Working at McDonald’s, I just wasn’t earning enough money to support my family. I applied to work a New York state job, which is located in my home town. I began working there, and it definitely helped alot. Then, in 2009, I found out I was pregnant with my third child, who was born in 2010. In 2011 I decided that I needed a higher paying job. To do that, I needed a GED, especially with the rate of everything going up. (more…)

Denise from Shafter

I want to be an inspiration to my children. I’ve gone through and overcome so many trials. I know that, with God, anything is possible. If i can overcome addiction, then this GED test should be nothing in comparison. My friends and family tell me to go for it. In the past, I’ve had to deal with drug addiction. I went through an outpatient program, and stayed close to God’s word to overcome it. In the future, I hope to get a degree and become a dental assistant. (more…)

Shamar from Decatur, GA – 17

My family told me that I sit and do nothing all day, and that I need to occupy myself, because I am not in school and have no job. So I’ve got to do something about it. They’ve encouraged me in many ways.

I applied for the Art Institute of Atlanta in the field of Game Design and Motion Capturing. I hope to receive a good job, and I hope I’m accepted into the Institute. (more…)

Amanda from Greencastle, IN - 22

I want to get a better job and further my education. My friends and family have helped me through school, but I need help still. I was in special education all throughout school. I’ve only learned the basics in school. I hope that I can learn things faster than I used to. I want to better myself, to get a better job, and to forward my education. I would love to go to college and become a sign language teacher or a photographer. However, I’m not entirely sure what I want to be. (more…)

Jessi from Cherokee, IA - 32

The thing that motivated me to get my GED is that I’m 18-years-old with a 9-month-old child. I dropped out, and have another baby due in November. I’m a single mom and its very hard. My mom has helped me very much. I lost my best friend when I was 14. He died of cancer. It was very hard. The last thing he told me was to do what made me happy and do what was best for me and the ones I loved. I promised him I would get my GED, because he knew I disliked school very much.  (more…)

Chico – 36

As a young man turning 19 back in 1992, I needed to be able to support myself, and flipping burgers was just not enough. I am a motivated self-starter. My mother didn’t even know about my desire to take the test. I had only completed the 9th grade. When I purchase a GED study guide, I literally buried myself in it for several hours each night. It’s now approaching 20 years since I earned my GED. I’m going to California to attend college with the goal of becoming a lawyer.

Excelsior! (more…)

Rita from Milton, FL – 32

I wanted to enroll in college. My husband motivated me to further my career in interpreting. I just need my GED to attend college. I was born into a deaf family, so my first language was sign language. I have interpreted for my family all my life. I want my own business for interpreting for the deaf. I’d like to go back to school and receive my bachelor’s degree for this. (more…)

Alyssa from Detroit, MI — 24

I have a four-year-old daughter, but I’ve been going back in forth in programs to strive to achieve my dreams. I’m never giving up. My family has always motivated me. When I dropped out of high school, my grandparents did their best with me, but it was just all too much for me. Now I wish I could turn back the hands of time.  (more…)

Crystal

Being homeless and on social services is what made me realize that I need to get my GED. My family and friends have encouraged me to get it. Then I can improve my family’s life, as well as my own. We’ve been homeless and living on social services. I’m dying to get my life back.

I want to help the disabled once I get my GED. I plan to get a job, then move on to college. Knowledge is power, and since I have been avoiding getting my GED, now there are no good jobs for people without a high school diploma or GED. I want to obtain mine, and move on with my life. (more…)