When I was 16, I tested out of high school. It was my junior year and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was a very good student. I had As and Bs and I was in Advanced Placement classes. However, I was bored out of my mind. I knew what I wanted to study and what I want to do with my life. I took the test, passed, and began pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I will be graduating next June at the age of 20.

I was told by so many people that I would regret my decision, but I feel that I made the right choice for ME. I was told over and over that employers would see that I didn’t “finish” high school and that would make it difficult for me to find a job. I have yet to be disqualified for a job because I tested out.

My advice to you is this: do not stop going to school just because you are bored. If you want to leave make sure you know what you want to do. Have a solid plan with timelines for completion. This is a huge decision that will impact the rest of your life. Make sure your loved ones support you and understand the process. My grandparents went more than a year telling people I dropped out of high school. This is false! I did not drop out. I TESTED out and received my Certificate of Proficiency (equivalent of the GED, but for those under age 17). They were so ashamed of me until they realized what I actually did.

Make sure you’ve done everything in high school that you’d want to do. Prom, football games, homecoming, spirit week, pep rallies… you won’t be able to do these things if you leave.

Finally, before you make a decision, speak with your guidance counselor at school. You might realize you are not taking challenging enough classes. My guidance counselor was useless but maybe you’ll have better luck with yours.

Good luck in whatever you do. High school isn’t for everyone, but neither is the choice to leave early. Do some soul searching and find out which choice is going to be the best one for YOU.

I left school about a month before my 11th grade graduation on advise by the school consular. I had been going to a progressive school 8, 9, and 10th grades, i then started a standard HS. I took the GED about 8 wks later and scored in the top 5% I was doing very good until i had an accident. In my case no regrets. Now for you, be advised that the ged can hurt you for jobs. In my case any one in the top 5% gets a state high school deploma. The ged carries the stigma of that of being a quitter since the 80’s due to the decline of the education system. Try taking any college courses or a Job Experiance Training program (JET) that will help get you ready. (I did the JET program) This will challenge you more and should help with the boredom. Ps. The college courses will cut down the load you have in the first year of college and most people drop out in the first year because of the stress/ class load. as others have said MAKE A PLAN, but remember (to paraphrase) No plan survives contact with life. Good luck

Well I did not do this but I had a friend do this and is doing well. He got his GED also had a great ACT score and he went into college right off. Got his degree, a two year degree and was working at the age of 18 for some companies making very decent. He now is making a little over 50K a year and has a house mostly paid with a car paid for now. As long as you can manage money and work hard in what field you go into you will be find. Just talk with the college first you are thinking about going to and you could be set in a path pretty fast. Could still get a schoolarship with the ACT score.

Well I dropped out in my Jr. yr. but I had a plan , I wanted to become a hairdresser , so i dropped out took my GED passed went to beauty school and I’ve been a sucessful hairdresser for 15 yrs now! just have a plan, don’t do it because your bored. and good luck