Can you help me...I'm nervous and not sure what to do?

Question

ok i'm going to start with my matric in feb and i'm not sure what i want to do. i'm homeschooled so i can either carry on with that and write examinations in town or i can go to a college. my mom thought it might be better if i get out a little but she says it's up to me. i'm so nervous and i don't know what to do. the college that i would be going, i don't know anyone there and i'm a little shy but might be a good thing if i socialise a bit but then again i can carry on what i'm doing now. any suggestions? i have no clue what to do and really starting to get nervous about it all

Answer 1

I was homeschooled, and started college at 16, best decision I ever made. I am not sure what you mean by Matric, but getting involved with the college early is a wonderful idea. It really helps to get you in the swing of it, without any kind of rush.

Answer 2

I would suggest you give college a try. You will be shy at first, but then you'll branch out once you start making friends away from home.

Is there a college nearer to your home where you can take a class or two to get accustomed to the process of "going to school" before you make a commitment to go out of town? College is BIG pressure on anyone, and the social pressures on top of that seem like they might be especially overwhelming. Taking a couple of classes while still living at home would be a way to take 'baby steps' away from home if it's feasible in your situation.

Bottom line is you DO need to eventually get out on your own...a little at a time.

Answer 3

I went to college for many of my 'high school' classes and it has only ever helped me!  I took mostly gen. ed. classes that every college/every degree requires so they would be out of the way when I finally started my major.

Answer 4

Matric --> matriculation --> it's the school leaving certificate (the equivalent of the HSC, IB or the American high school diploma etc) in South Africa and also in New Zealand...and maybe other places, I don't know (lol).

Are you South African?? I know South Africans do matriculation and also tend to say 'mom' whereas all the Kiwis I've ever met say 'mum', the same as us.

Is there nobody from your neighbourhood who goes to college that you could get to know beforehand so there's at least one familiar face around the place?



Does your local college run any short courses (or 'taster days') where you could go along and just give it a go?

Alternatively you could try calling and explaining your situation and asking if you could come in and 'shadow' one of their current matric students for a few days so that you can get a feel for the college, the tutors, other students, the routine etc.

Or, like you say, you could just as well stay at home and find other ways to socialise. Presumably you could always join in with classes at the college later or, if you tried college for a term or so and it wasn't working as well as you wanted, leave and return to home education.

Answer 5

I think you starting school is a good idea, here is some info on how to handle it.

Be willing to try new things. If you see someone who you think you may like as a friend, then try doing things they are interested in. (That doesn't mean if they ask you to smoke or something else stupid do it.)

Join a club or get involved in plays or sports -- organized activities are great ways to meet with people.

If there is someone that lives near you, then try and make

friends with them, not only will you have a friend to hang out with at school, but at home as well.

if you see someone on their own, go over and talk to them, they may have no friends and you could be an answer to their prayers (and vice versa).

Take care with your appearance, no one wants to be mates with someone who looks or smells bad. Wear deodorant, bathe every day, always wear clean clothes and get plenty of sleep and exercise, and don't forget to eat right.

If there is a big group of kids your age, and you feel left out, go over and talk to them -- they may not have noticed you.

Answer 6

I went to college part-time for 6 yrs.  It was a lot of fun.  I learned many things.  It makes you a well rounded person.

I was scared to start college at first, but once I met ppl in classes I was fine.  I would recommend it.  There nothing like standing in cap and gown on graduation day!!