10 Things You Oughta Know About...
DROPPING OUT
- It is a really bad idea, if things are bad at school because you are being harassed (sexually or otherwise) or bullied try changing schools rather than quitting.
- It is so not worth it - if academics are hard for you see your school counsellor about a non-academic program, voluntarily set yourself back a grade, or get Learning Assistance (even if it is informally from a friend).
- Drop outs have a harder time getting good, secure, decent paying jobs.
- More and more entry level and trade specific jobs require a minimum of high school graduation.
- Dropping out gives you a lot of free time, even if you get a full time job, you are more likely to get in to a self destructive rut including drugs and/or alcohol.
- Pregnancy is not a good reason to drop out and get a job, look in to your options before taking such a drastic step (many schools and communities have programs designed to keep teens with children in school).
- Being a drop out is much harder than you think it will be.
- Going back to school as an adult is not as easy as you think it will be, and often costs you money - high school is free.
- Contrary to popular belief 16 is not a magic age at which dropping out is "OK" - many states make it a civil crime to drop out before 18 and many have laws against "truancy" (unexplained absences from school).
- Dropping out is not cool, it does not make you a "tough guy", nor does it mean you are "grown up" or "more mature" - in fact it makes you the exact opposite of all these things.