Two time high school drop-out post high school drops out of college; soon to be re-admitted post drop-out

In my favorite word borrowed from Infamous Jen's husband, "Woot."

I've made it into college, again! Thanks to all of my dear friends, ahem, professional colleagues, who labored to help me get in by writing lovely recommendations! I've not only been accepted, but received a scholarship as well for my "outstanding academic and community achievements".

My first reaction was to jump around in excitement. But my second reaction was to shrug it off, dismissing it as something that happens in thousands of silly 18-year-olds lives everyday, and I better have gotten in or I'd be dumber than a high school kid. I rounded it off further by attributing the quick decision for admission surely to the lack of competition. How many other 26 year olds were applying for a transfer to this private school? I must be the only one, and they had a quota to fill, so it was a quick decision. Plus, even if they didn't, and I was denied, I didn't really try that hard anyway. I procrastinated. (Can you guess why?)

But, as I'm learning from another self-competitive friend, this is a reaction to be chastised. So instead of saying all that, I'm going to remember that I did work incredibly hard to get in, and I was actually admitted, with a scholarship to boot, so...hooray! I accomplished something difficult that I set out to do, and I'm excited. Not bad for someone who, over the span of 10 years, has managed a quadruple major in 'drop-out'.

People often find my multiple drop-out status surprising once they know me. I was never much one for school. Not that I wasn't good at it, in fact I usually received very high grades (except in the dreaded math, but more on that another day.) It was more the conceptual idea of school that I didn't like. I thought that putting a bunch of kids of the same age together in tiny rooms during early mornings or hot afternoons, blabbing boring repetitions at them from aging school teachers of a past generation, and then basing their entire worth on the ability to recall every detail in a single slot of 50 minutes with a number 2 pencil, was, in fact, absolutely ridiculous.

I was sure there was better ways to learn. Ways that took into account each individuals learning style, talents, and progression. Just because someone isn't excellent in testing skills does not make them an idiot. I knew plenty of brilliant D average students.

And I was definitely sure there were better ways to learn than in an environment that resembled daily gang warfare. I thought kids were stupid, and cliques were stupid. I thought the constant degradation of peers was stupid. And I thought the adults who put us all into this situation purposely were stupid. Especially because they were so shocked that such a system could create drop-outs and dangerous, traumatizing, social dynamics.

And really, what 16 year old isn't smarter than everyone else?


WARNING: EXTREME DIGRESSION IN NEXT SECTION

The day that solidified my position on school-hate came when some tall, beefy, Hawaiin guy named Mark, who happened to be, of course, one of the "most popular kids in school", did something I found incredibly juvenile. Not that this was the first time I'd seen something juvenile happen at school, but I decided to make sure it was the last.

Mark was, of course, some fabulous football captain. I thought people that could hit other people hard and then go shopping at the mall for new Abercrombie wear in a single day did not deserve some kingly status. So I didn't like him (that, and I was soooo punk rock). But there he was, walking around being a jerk, being popular. He was mean to everyone, and frequently tormented me because I dressed differently (dude, thrift store cardigans seriously are cool--haven't you ever seen a Nirvana video??).

This day, however, he had picked other sources of entertainment. We were in the same photography class (But I was in it because I'm an artist--he was just looking for an easy A---soooooo passe). We had a "field trip around campus to take pictures" day (otherwise known as lazy teacher wanted to go smoke weed in his car or go home for a long lunch). Mark decided it was hilarious to go around trying to snap shots of girls asses as they walked by. Most notably the ones that nobody really wanted a picture of. Him and his buddies giggled a lot at the humiliation of lesser attractive girls while high-fiving each other at their genius.

During this time, some teacher poked his head out of class to see what the ruckus was about. But seeing the "football boys", he sort of just laughed and waved his hand, gave a slight admonission so nobody could say he didn't, then went back to his business.

This was the day I left school early to tell my parents I was dropping out. This was the most ridiculous display of behavior I had ever seen. And it wasn't the first time.

It's not because I hate football (well...maybe), or thought I was too cool (hmm...wait), but simply because there was a system designed here that specifically encouraged this behavior over actual learning.

DIGRESSION SOMEWHAT OVER

I know I had a lot more to learn about human/sin nature, but I still feel pretty firm that the present day public school system is silly. I'm not one of those "pull your kids out and boycott the school" people, as that doesn't help improve what we've got, but I'm still not sure why were so obsessed with this failing model.

So, I dropped out after my sophomore year of high school. When I explained my feelings and theories to my parents about why I needed to quit, they were actually supportive of this decision (rad!), which was somewhat surprising to me. So they gave me the stamp of approval.

I spent this year designing a new system of schooling. I bought my own learning materials, and began schooling myself. Pretty fancy ideals, and slightly impressive! But, being 16 got the better of me, and I spent more time doing 16 year old stuff (social social!) than actually working on my "better world" project. And I decided it wasn't quite as glamorous to be home with your parents everyday, and I missed all that social crap I swore I hated. I missed my friends.

Yep, I went back. This time in another city. I made a bunch of great friends. I also found a boyfriend (sooooo punk rock). My parents were definitely not fond of these new friends, or the boyfriend. Maybe because they don't want to Save the Queen. Anyhow, there is a big long story to it (for telling in another life), but they decided they would strongly encourage me to drop out again. Just shy of graduating. Ooh, is that ever a complicated story. But suffice to say, I'm an A-average double time high school drop-out!

I prefer to refer to it as a G.E.D. winner! And oh the stories I could tell about my GED graduation. Ah, things close to my heart, Pandora's Box. anther time.

So even though I never made it through high school, and then went to 3 different colleges 'finding myself' or something, I've finally made it back after quite some time away! Hooray for sticking to goals! Hooray for getting accepted! Hooray for re-enslaving myself to The Man, and The System! I can't tell you how excited I am. Really!