shooting the shit about school…
February 17, 2012 at 1:36 am 35 comments
Today i was sitting around my apartment sleeping and watching cartoons. I am still working part-time and i didnt work today or have therapy, so i didnt even shower or anything…. My friend KC came by because she didnt have college today and she wasnt working either. She is a good annoying friend, who is always trying to encourage me to do something instead of sitting on my ass.
I sit on my ass too 
much for someone my age… but the reality is, being DID and living life with “parts” who live their own life when i dont know… and having PTSD is tiring. Fuck. Then last november my thyroid got killed by radiation because i have graves disease and i am starting on thryoid medicine called Levothyroxine, because now it doesnt work at all. I still dont understand why the doctors had to kill my thyroid and now i need medicine to make it work. Couldnt they just fix it, slow it down, or something? I have to go back to the shrink and get some other meds too. I just dont feel like going. Im too tired to do much.
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KC bought me a bag of mini reeses peanut butter cups. If you have not had them, go immediately to the store and get some…. they are amazing! ——–>
KC: “LT, now that you are rich, when are you gonna sign up for school?”
ME: what?
KC: “College…. take some art classes, hang out with people your age, get off your ass and do s
omething!”
ME: aaa…. im not rich. i dont even really want that money… its too weird…. i dont know what to do with it…
KC: “GOTO school… your art is good.”
ME: nah.
KC: “Why not? You can take some cool classes and draw and hang out with cool people like me. <KC’s starts her stupid signature raise the roof arm movements>“
ME: nah. cut that out, you are scary. you should take dance classes at college, cause that is so pathetic, its depressing.
.
KC: “You just wish you had my moves. What are you going to do? Sit around all the time? Your ass is flat enough as it is…”
ME: whatever.. better than a big ass like yours… LOL .. … just kidding.
ME: …look, KC, im not good in school like you. i cant read. why do you think everyone gives me the orders verbally at work, because i fuck them up if i have read.. i can talk and write, but if i have to read, i see the words with my eyes, but my brain doesnt get the words.
check it out, if i wrote a paper to you right now and then tried to read it… i wouldnt recognize the words…. even though i just fucking wrote them. my brain is broken.
.
KC: “Oh yeah, I remember that time at work when you screwed up every order. LOL. Like the ticket I gave you said “b wh chili, mashed p” and you gave me brocilli and cheese soup in a bread bowl. LOL. That was hysterical.
LT, you are not stupid, you just learn different or something. At colleges they can help you… I could never remember all those orders at work like you do. You can’t be stupid.”
ME: yeah i could. i dont think they can fix broken brains.
KC: “Yeah they can because your brain isn’t broken, silly. They test you and figure out what’s wrong and then help you learn. Maybe you tape the lectures so you can hear them… or like get someone that reads to you so you get the homework and reading assignments. Remember I tol
d you Paige has Bipolar.. she gets some help too and she is definitely not stupid. For classes that are really early like 8:00 AM, she tapes them or at times videotapes them… because her medicines for Bipolar make her sleepy and its hard for her first thing in the morning. They totally want to help you learn….
LT, if I went to a ton of different schools and had no place to live all the time growing up, I wouldn’t have learned a dam thing… seriously, you aren’t stupid. Plus like art classes, alot of grades are based on your projects.”
ME: what are grades based on in social work classes?
KC: “I dunno. But you could visit and find out. I’d go with you if you want. …. We could talk to people at the disability center too to see how they might help you…”
ME: i dunno…… im tired now. maybe in a couple weeks or something.
KC and i watched cartoons and ate our candy. i have enough “problems” and “labels” …why do i want to go and get another one? Besides what am i supposed to say to those college people…. “my brain doesn’t work because i got the shit beat out of me alot growing up?” How do you fix that? When you get hit in the head and kicked in the head enough, even if your arms are covering you, something inside is going to break. You can’t fix that….
Like this:
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: aged-out foster kids, child abuse, college, DID, foster child, foster home, foster kid, foster parents, PTSD, tired.
1.
abbys momma | February 17, 2012 at 2:01 am
It takes some tweaking to get the thyroid meds right. I’m sure thinking about school right now is overwhelming because of the fatigue, but I’m sure you’ll get it sorted out. You might want to think about taking one class in the beginning to get your feet wet.
2.
Christy | February 17, 2012 at 2:11 am
A lot of schools will even let you audit classes for no credit, which means you can attend class, learn more about how everything works etc. but you don’t have to do any of the homework or take the exams. Maybe you’d feel more comfortable auditing a class for a semester and then taking that same class the following semester?
3.
Jen | February 17, 2012 at 2:58 am
I know a girl who’s on her second college degree (a master’s degree) who has reading problems like yours. She has this computer program that will read things out loud to her, as long as they’re typed in. She gets it to read electronic books for her.
4.
Jodi | February 17, 2012 at 3:50 am
Go for it LT! I know it seems scary to get out there and start college, but you will undoubtedly enjoy it and grow from the experience…you definitely have the intelligence and talent. My aunt had a disability with math that her college made provisions for to help her graduate, I’m sure a school would do the same for you and reading. I bet you will surprise yourself with how much you are capable of. We are all cheering for you. XO.
5.
KR | February 17, 2012 at 6:16 am
If you don’t want to go college right now because it doesn’t feel right, then you shouldn’t go. If you don’t want to go to college right now because you’re afraid, don’t let the fear stop you. Don’t listen to the voices from your past that tell you that you’re not good enough. If you do, you will live a life filled with regret because those voices will always try to stop you from reaching your full potential. That’s what they are there for. Don’t let them win. Don’t let other people dictate your life. You are far more powerful than you believe. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or says or acts about you, to you, or for you. This is your life. Live it for yourself. Hold onto it with everything you’ve got. Try anything at least once. Do everything you can to reach your potential. Because you have a hell of a lot of potential in you, girl. Adjust as necessary.
6.
lee1978Lee | February 17, 2012 at 6:27 am
I think KR says it beautifully. If you need to not go to college now, because of all the physical stuff, that makes sense. But if it is not because of that, give it a try. There are also lots of times ways to take on line classes where you can listen to lectures and stuff right on your computer. You will be able to get yourself a good computer set up with the settlement so that might be a way to begin as well.
How words don’t make sense to you is a lot more common than you may think. It is not your fault and it does not make you stupid. In fact, the things you have done to compensate for it, show how smart you are–like having a rocking memory for work so that you don’t have to read the slips.
Lastly, you mention often about wishing you had a normal loving childhood. Going to college is for many people your age another “normal” thing. It is not always just about education, but about exploring what your interests are so that you have an idea of what you might want to do in the world for the long haul.
7.
Marie | February 17, 2012 at 7:58 am
Besides what am i supposed to say to those college people…. “my brain doesn’t work because i got the shit beat out of me alot growing up?”
Actually, yeah, you could say just that. You wouldn’t be the first person to say that to a college, and unlike a lot of places where you could go and say that, they wouldn’t scramble around trying to figure out how to help you — they’d already know how, because they would have already encountered a lot of kids like you.
I know, going through the system, you’ve encountered a lot of shitty people and departments who were there to “help” you, but were actually there to just kind of shut you up and put your file in a drawer, because they didn’t care how you were actually doing so much as whether or not you were causing them problems. College is really, really different. The people who work in colleges really, really value education. Like, the way some people value air, they value education. So they will go the extra mile to make sure you can get your education. AND the people in colleges are educated. They never stop getting educated. So it’s harder to surprise them with something — if you talk to them about your reading disability, they’re already going to know about things like that, and the best treatments available.
Honestly, college was the easiest place in my life to get help with my problems, even problems that you wouldn’t necessarily consider “school-related.” But colleges understand that if you don’t have enough food, if you have a medical problem, if something super emotionally upsetting has happened to you, you can’t study. And they want you to study, because they really think your education is SUPER IMPORTANT, so they will help you solve those problems. I mean, really, sometimes when other people tell me problems they’re having, I want to suggest that they sign up for college so they can get some help. It’s WAY easier to get help for little things and big things in college than it is in the rest of the world. Every time I need some therapy or help with my finances or help figuring out my job, I always wish I was back in college, because I could get help in a snap there.
And because colleges deal with so many kids coming from so many different kinds of situations, they aren’t surprised to hear anything. If you went in and said, “my brain doesn’t work because I got the shit beat out of me a lot growing up,” they’d just be like, “Oh, sure, we had someone like that last week.”
8.
Renee | February 17, 2012 at 8:17 am
Hey, I’m a social worker. I can tell you about getting a degree, but for really specific stuff, you’d need to talk to the Advisor at the college you’re thinking about attending. You could just look up the phone number on the internet for it, and call and ask to speak to the Admission office, or have KC go with you to it. For your bachelor’s degree, you take a lot of classes. It would depend on the college which textbooks are offered, but it covers things like ethics, working with groups, with government, with families, statistics, research, etc. The classes when you first start out are kind of like high school- you sit in class, listen to a lecture, do some small projects, read your textbook and take tests. Later, most of your grades will come from writing papers and doing research projects and doing field hours where you work in a community agency for free most of the time and get class credit for it.
But there are definitely options for you to get a college degree. Because of your status as an aged out foster kid and the fact that you’re unemployed, etc you might even qualify for financial aid, so you don’t use up your savings.
You can talk to the Disability Office at the college- they can actually refer you to an educational psychologist (not like Dr. Val who appears to be a psychotherapist), and that person can give you some written and verbal tests to see which type of learning disability you have. Once you have that in your hand, you can register with the Disability Office, and then, your classes have to accomodate you.
One way I can see that happening is for you to get the “books on tape” (or on CD), where the books are read aloud on the CD and you just listen to the assigned chapter. Since you have such a good memory, you should be able to listen to it a couple of times and it “stick” in your brain.
Then when it comes time for testing, the Disability Office would work it out for you that you could take the tests orally- that someone would read the questions to you and you would answer back, or choose the right answer on a scan sheet, which ever works better.
One thing to consider though, is which degree would bring you more joy and healing. Being a social worker would put you in contact with a lot of trigges on a regular basis. Even someone without PTSD struggles a lot with it- it’s very hard to see people hurting all day, every day.
But your artwork- or even your writing- could be very enjoyable majors. You might want to start with an associates degree in art and then decide if you want to be a social worker.
One thing that really stood out to me- you could become an art therapist. It’s a growing field, and they use it a lot with people who have been hurt, whether through abuse or car wrecks or cancer, etc. It’s kind of a mix of social work’s helping people but you also getting to use your obvious art talent. It’s just a though though- you have to do what you feel led to do!
9.
Lisa | February 17, 2012 at 11:06 am
This is such a great reply that I really don’t want to add much, other than to support it. You honestly have so much talent that your options are much greater than you know. There are so many ways that you can help kids, other than by becoming an actual social worker. If that’s what you REALLY want to do, then go for it, but think about other options too. Social workers have to follow many rules and a good one is worth their weight in gold, but you might thrive in a different environment too.
LOVE the art therapy ideas. In our area, they do art therapy at both a domestic violence program and a grieving center for kids You could always check it out and just volunteer a few hours. Tip your toes in the water before you jump in!
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10.
bec | February 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm
I agree that Renee’s post is excellent and very practical.
11.
Jen | February 18, 2012 at 5:07 pm
If you’re interested in this type of thing, what about volunteering a few hours a week at a place like covenant house? You could do a mix of practical stuff like working in the kitchen and being someone the kids could talk to who understands them. I’m sure it would be really valuable for those kids to know someone like you; someone who understands where they’re coming from but is a bit further ahead in life than them, with your apartment and steady job and knowing what it’s like to have a friend you can trust and to make progress in therapy. Knowing you would help them believe that those things are possible for them. You could really help some people by just volunteering a few hours a week.
12.
Cinara | February 19, 2012 at 9:29 am
Yes! Be an art therapist! It would be so cool and perfect for you!
(Actually, you should do whatever you want to do, but I thought it would suit you)
13.
Beth | February 17, 2012 at 9:12 am
I just finished a degree where I listened to all my lectures and books on my iPod. I read VERY little. And if you are registered with the disabilities office, you could probably even get to take tests where you take them on the computer and it reads the questions to you and you write the answer. You don’t have to be a great reader to be VERY smart and I truly believe from reading all you have written that you are very smart. You have had a lot of shit happen to you, but that does not change the fact that you are a very smart person.
I am so glad that you have KC who loves you enough to push you to stuff you might not “feel” like doing.
14.
Splintered | February 17, 2012 at 9:56 am
Lots of good advice for the blog crew. I have none.
Thanks for the humor this morning, I needed it. Some college should give you an honorary degree in creative writing.
15.
Pat | February 17, 2012 at 10:42 am
I love the way you write, LT. You cracked me up when you wrote about KC’s signature dance! You are so clever, I sure hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to go to school. Just go talk to them, nothing to lose there, right? I know someone who had a reading disability who got help for it in college and was able to graduate – now he wants to go back and get an advanced degree! Glad you asked about social work; you are uniquely qualified by virtue of your life experience. It would be awesome to see you end up as an adoption worker, whose job was to find homes for the children in foster care. ((Hugs))
16.
mamamama | February 17, 2012 at 11:29 am
I am glad you have a friend to help you. She is right you should look into classes. Colleges will help you figure out how to learn. Good luck.
17.
YW | February 17, 2012 at 12:28 pm
You got some great replies already Yes go if you want to but you are scared or tired you will get a scheduled and it will help you go through it.. If you dont want to go to school that is up to you but I agree with a lot of your readers that there are a lot of people out there
with reading, learning issues, or dislectia etc.. you will be fine and even it it takes you longer then other students dont worry about that.. if you want to learn and then are able to say a few years later I did it it will feel so great.. even just trying and walk in to college, with KC.. go for it.. give it a try.. I know you have talent so what KC says is right about following art classes etc.. I think you will amaze 1 or more teachers.. you will see
ciao for now..
YW
18.
Cesarea | February 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm
LT, I am sorry about your reading problems. That must be really frustrating for a smart young woman like you. But KC is right! You can go to college anyway!
19.
Foster Mom in Training | February 17, 2012 at 12:36 pm
LT, I am a high school teacher. Renee is correct about the college providing accomodations (helping you with your reading, writing, etc.). Don’t let your struggle with reading hurt you. I had a student who used his laptop to listen to his textbook, and then spoke into a microphone instead of writing. Many textbooks are available on CD or on the internet. That makes it easier to have them read to you. My science textbook came with a CD that I lent to students who learned better when listening instead of reading. There are many types of learners. Some are good at reading, some learn when they see things, some when they touch things, and others when they hear things. You aren’t “broken.”. Don’t try to fit into what is “normal.”. Normal is what the strongest person says is best. Lol. Ignore them and take care of yourself. You are talented and intelligent. I wish you would step back and look at what you can do. You are a talented writer, poet, and artist. I have a master’s degree, LT. I couldn’t draw a decent picture or write a poem if my life depended on it.
. My students laugh at the stick figures I draw on the board. At least I’m trying. 
I’d like to see you take a shot at school. If you don’t like it, then find something you DO like. You don’t have to go to college to help others or to be a writer or artist. You could always look to work in a screen printing shop, for example. Then you could learn the ropes and show them your art. The possibilities are endless, LT. What do YOU want to do? 
20.
michelle v | February 17, 2012 at 12:57 pm
i love KC’s attitude and push for you. i work at a university with students with learning and cognitive disabilities and I can atest there are so many resources out there for you. let KC push you into that. you would do great in a post-secondary environment. thrilled that you have this option. take it!
♥ michelle
21.
Maria | February 17, 2012 at 12:58 pm
LT, I was going to suggest art therapy for a major, too! I agree with KC, they will definitely help you. College is so much better than high school, hopefully, in time, you will feel courageous enough to go!
22.
Ross | February 17, 2012 at 1:33 pm
L.T I just transfered to the University of Phoenix, it is a private school but you can get a lot of scholarships for being a former foster child. I was scared of starting school because english is my second language and I didnt feel very comfortable. I started last month and I am very excited. The way the classes are is different than most schools. Every class only last 5 weeks and you only go once a week to school. You have to do everything on the computer and even the books are electronic. I have the option for the computer to read to me and it’s awesome since I cant read very well. I am taking classes in human services and it covers a lot of staff that you already familiar with. They also have different campus or you can do classes online.
They are many schools out there that can accomodate anyones needs. Last week I wrote a paper about aged out foster children, you inspired me.The classes are about real life experiences and welfare programs. You know a lot of that stuff please dont discourage your self. At least you can give it a try!!
23.
bec | February 17, 2012 at 2:16 pm
You can do it, LT.
24.
Caroline | February 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm
LT, my brother had a completely normal childhood and he has exactly the same reading issue you have. He thought he couldn’t go to college either, so he joined the Marine Corps. They did lots of testing on him and found out that he has a “processing” order. This means that if he reads something on paper (or on a chalkboard or sign), his brain does not process it correctly and he has no idea what he read. It was the same in reverse. He cannot write down what is in his head. However, if it was told to him verbally, he can repeat it almost exactly. What happened was this: when he was in the Marines, he would read something then take a test on it. the highest score he ever made was a 36. Then someone would read that exact material to him and ask him the questions verbally and he could answer out loud. Almost all of his test scores were in the 97% range.
My brother went on to have a very successful career in the Marines, doing Avionics (which is fixing all the equipment on the inside on airplanes), but he decided he wanted to be home with his wife and kids so he did something we never thought he would do. He went to college. He went in knowing about his processing order and worked with the Office of Disabilities. They were able to give him CDs of someone reading his textbooks and his professors allowed him to take his tests verbally. I don’t know what his grades were, but I know they were high enough that he won some scholarships, which is a huge honor. He just graduated with a degree in Building Science and he now works for a big company figuring out exactly how much it will cost for people to build their dream home.
I say all that to tell you two things. One, your brain is not “broken”. Your brain processes differently. That is okay. Two, colleges have an office of disabilities specifically to work with people whose brains work differently. Truthfully, no one’s brain works exactly right; it’s just that some people are able to figure out a way to work with theirs better. I would say your brain is pretty extraordinary doing what it has done to protect you all these years.
Finally, I just want to say one more thing on the subject of college. Do what you want to do. If you want to simply take some art classes but not get a degree, that is perfectly okay! And if you want to get a degree, go for it! Pursuing a degree can be hard work, but you have done lots of hard things in your life. I continue to be amazed at you. You take the time to think about what you want (a few classes for fun/ enrichment or an entire degree) and go for it! I have no doubt you can do whatever you put your mind to. Good luck LT and thank you so much for continuing to put yourself out there for us readers.
25.
macavitykitsune | February 17, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Hey, LT… I’ve only commented here once before, but I really feel your terror here and I wanted to chime in on it. I’ve had some issues with my hands/joints all my life, and put off college for four years because my parents wouldn’t let me apply for disability accommodations and I couldn’t physically write entrance exams and pass, let alone college courses. Finally, I wound up moving across the freakin’ planet to do it, and am being helped by Disability Services kind of on the sly, now. Despite the fact that I had no medical paperwork to say what was going on (they’re still trying to figure it out), they still gave me a lot of accommodations and now my grades are a couple of letters higher than they’d been! Seriously, if you want to go to college, GO. Talk to them. Tell them your circumstances. I didn’t believe they’d help me either, but they did – and you have medical paperwork, history etc to back you up, so help should be even faster for you. Please, please don’t let your learning/physical issues keep you back.
26.
butterflysblog | February 17, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Sweet LT – I love love love this post. It’s so wonderful to hear a smart person like you thinking about college. Maybe you could even dip your toe in the water by taking a class at your local community college. Or at the school that KC goes to. I bet she’d be happy to help you find out how to do that.
If you need any help at all sweetie, let me know, ok?
You’re awesome.
-Butterfly
27.
Linka | February 18, 2012 at 8:34 am
Hi LT! (((Hugs)))
Everyone is exactly right, especially about your brain being “broken”. Not broken, or you would have never survived! And yes, different, as each brain is different.,,you ARE gifted, LT! Let them help you develop your gift, and learn how to work with your brain-mainstream education works against your particular brain (not to mention many many other people’s particuar brains), but you can learn to work with it…and bring yourself lots of happiness, and fulfill your purpose here on earth (although I think you are doing that already through your blog ).
College, if you decide that is where you want to go right now, will also help to normalize your life. The social relationship potential is unlimited, the recreational activities are plenty and varied, and you will learn things that will just excite and amaze that particuar brain of yours…when I have a decision to make, I like to evaluate in terms of what is the worst thing that could possibly happen if I make that choice, and, could I survive it?…if the answer is thant the choice will not kill me, then I give it a chance…Go for it!
Blessings!
28.
Ann | February 18, 2012 at 9:19 am
LT! (Long time again!)
I am all for continuing education, but there are a whole lot of options out there to learn new things, meet people, better ourselves, etc –
I really think you should look into community classes. They are classes that are for adults, children, anyone in the community. They don’t cost as much as college or other classes, are 1-4 days a week for anywhere from a half hour to two hours, lasting between 3-8 weeks and they have a ton of subjects. You can do yoga, learn martial arts, learn sketching, painting, etc. It’d probably be a nice testing ground for getting the feel for a class. There’s a lot of different people that take them – sometimes those who are retired, those who are young adults, families together, singles, etc. The instructors can just be just as diverse. Every community has them, they are usually hosted inside local colleges, schools, sometimes different public buildings (where-ever there is space). The majority of the classes are in the summer.
Maybe KC would take a community art class with you as a nice lead in. They rarely have homework, you can pick classes where there’s going to be no to little reading or writing, and get use to a classroom, group feel. I find them fun and a great option for learning something new.
Think about it if you are thinking about classes.
P.S. You’re brain isn’t broken, it works how it works – everyone’s mind works different… Edgar Allen Poe is a now known poet, but I’m sure people back then thought his brain was ‘broken’ too – same with Mozart, Einstein, Picasso… People think differently, use it to your advantage. Broken can many times be a very good thing, same with abnormal.
29.
Rain | February 22, 2012 at 8:01 pm
My neighbor teaches classes in the community and she’s a professional artist (actually makes a living selling her art and taking requests).
Think about it.
30.
bluejuliej | February 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm
LT – I always always always struggled with school and reading… until I was diagnosed with dyslexia. My school got me a special reading instructor (x 4; the 4th teacher/technique just clicked for me). The first 3 instructors did not, but the school kept trying and made sure to tell me that my reading problems are NOT bc I was stupid but bc they hadn’t found the right way to teach me yet… and that the school record was 14, ie it’s trial snd error. I still use some of the techniques they taught me like putting a clear green sheet of acetate on top of a book to helpe read!!
31.
MamatoMany | February 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Thinking of you!
32.
Dinah | February 18, 2012 at 2:57 pm
“Can’t” never did anything. Get off your flat ass and enroll in school. Just try out one or two classes and see how they go. Have KC help you pick out some teachers that she has had that are good, talk to the counselors about help for your learning disabilities and make that leap! You do f$&@ing deserve that money. You deserve that and more. I am thinking all positive thoughts for you. As Ren (or maybe Stimpy) would say, happy happy, joy, joy! Love you.
33.
Krista | February 18, 2012 at 7:49 pm
You are a very intelligent young lady, and if you choose to go to college I know you will do very well…being nervous and scared about such a big step is normal, but don’t put pressure on yourself to make a decision right this minute. You might want to talk with Dr. Val about it and get her take on it, or write the good things about going to school versus the stressful stuff about going to school. Whatever you decide, your blog crew will support you 100%!
34.
Krista | February 19, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Oh, I meant to tell you that the picture you found of “KC’s ass” is hysterical…I love that you and KC are such good friends!
35.
Sarah K Navin | February 19, 2012 at 1:08 am
Hey LT.
It’s been a while since I commented here, but I’ve been reading and following for a while now. I actually teach at a college and have been busy with things for my classes.
What I want to say is that KC is right about schools wanting to help you. I’m someone whose brain also doesn’t work right. I can’t work with numbers the way you can’t work with letters, and I can’t write without a computer. When I was little, they thought this meant my brain was broken too, but what this really meant was that I just needed to be taught ways to do things that worked for me.
In college, I did use our disability services center as a place to take tests and get some help writing things down, or typing them. I met a lot of people there who thought that they were stupid because they didn’t learn the same way everyone else did. Really, what happened was that they were able to do a lot of great things as long as they did them in the way that worked for them.
Now that I teach college writing classes, I see a lot of students who have trouble reading and writing. At my school, and at most of them, the teachers all want to see their students do well, and we try to work with students to help them with this. My school has a disability center, and a learning center to help students, and I work with students who ask me for help too. The school has arranged special office hours that we get paid for being in, where students can come by to ask questions and get some help with things they don’t understand. When no one comes to office hours, it gets boring really quickly, and we love to see students come in to ask for help.
Going to college full time IS quite a commitment, especially when you’re working, so sometimes the best thing for some students to do is to take only a few classes at a time, or maybe even one. These are all good things to do because you can still work at learning while adjusting to being in college too. I’ve had several friends who would only take one or two classes each semester because they wanted to focus on a lot of things, or needed to work at a slower pace than everyone else.
What I’m really saying is, if you think college is something you would like to do, there are a lot of ways that you can do it, and not have to worry about feeling stupid. You might also want to start at a community college, where you can take classes to help you learn what you missed when moving in and out of high school. These colleges are also pretty small with smaller classes, to give you a lot of help.
So, don’t rule out college just yet. Make sure that you know that there are a lot of things that you can do to succeed there! I hope that your decision, whatever it is, works well for you!