FROM A HOMESCHOOLER

My Senior Year of Homeschooling

Editors Note: The following story is in it's original, unedited, beautifully written format!

I didn't start homeschooling until 12th grade, so unfortunately I was only able to enjoy the privilege of homeschooling for one year. I never really liked school, but it wasn't until late in high school that I seriously considered other options. I was an A student, but I hated having everything spoon-fed to me at school and the one-size-fits-all approach. I wasn't fond of the school atmosphere, and the overly controlling, institutionalized environment at school especially frustrated me. While some discipline is certainly necessary, students are not criminals or dogs, and don't deserve to be treated as such. I wanted to learn and grow in an environment where I would be challenged, valued, respected and loved, something that is sadly lacking in many public and private schools.

I had several friends who were homeschoolers, and it seemed ideal for me. After much planning and research, we had a family discussion. My parents had been very opposed to homeschooling before, but they knew how stressed out and frustrated I was in school and were willing to let me do it. You can't imagine the joy, excitement, and relief I felt when they gave me permission to homeschool!

During my senior year of homeschooling, I re-discovered the joy of teaching myself and exploring the "real world". I took some correspondence courses for academic subjects and continued taking the language class I loved at the high school. Aside from that, I went wherever my interests led me, to painting, pottery, baking, writing, nature, planning a small business, and the history and architecture of our city. I spent more time doing the volunteer work I love. I made good use of the public library, the Internet, and other resources. I'll take self-directed learning over spoon-feeding any day!

One thing that I want to say to teenagers and their parents is that it's never too late to homeschool. As I've mentioned, I started in 12th grade. A few people I've met think that homeschooling is mainly for elementary and middle school age children and that if you haven't started by then it's pointless, which simply isn't true. From my own experience and that of others, high school can be one of the best times to homeschool because by that age you've acquired the basic skills needed to learn independently by teaching yourself. At times I have been criticized for choosing to homeschool instead of "sticking it out for one more year", but I wouldn't trade that one year of homeschooling for anything!

I'm thankful that I was able to homeschool because it allowed me to re-discover my passion for learning, something that I was losing because of all the pressures at school. Just by living your life you are learning, and I will be learning all my life. That love of learning has motivated me to start a small business, learn another foreign language, and take on many other challenges with ambition. I am now in my early twenties. If I have children of my own someday, I definitely want to homeschool.

-N.G.-