Teen FAQ
For over 10 years, teens have been asking us questions on every topic imaginable. While we are no longer taking new questions, we have a wealth of information we would like to share with teenagers.
Questions about suicide? Call the NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).
Navigate: FAQ Home Page > School > Life not going anywhere
Posted on: 06/28/2006
Question
I am 18, and I was given the choice by my counselor to go to adult school to earn the credits I needed to graduate. Things were not looking up for me in regular highschool, so I elected to transfer. Graduation has passed now, and I did not earn the credits in time - I'm not a dull person or anything, I'm rather intelligent, it's simply due to the fact that I was not trying. Seeing my friends (especially my ex g/f) leave for college has really been crushing to me, and I find myself feeling like a failure (even coming to tears) very often. I just don't see my life going anywhere.
Answer
Dear Teen,
It is certainly not too late to turn this one around. Find out how you can earn your GED to graduate and even if you don't have this you may be eligible to attend a community college. It sounds like you recognize now that you were throwing away a great opportunity and hopefully are more ready to get serious about school. Many people your age and older have started college later and done fine. You may even want to work for a while to get clear on what you want to do with an education. Your life can go somewhere as soon as you decide you want it to and start working on a goal to make it happen. If you can't get started on your own, I highly recommend you talk to a counselor about what is holding an intelligent guy like you back.