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Or because it's not as much of a tremendous waste of time. If you're smart and motivated, you can probably complete the average high-school class in an afterno

by jcnnghm 17y ago

Or because it's not as much of a tremendous waste of time. If you're smart and motivated, you can probably complete the average high-school class in an afternoon. The whole thing is an exercise in grinding speed-limited to the slowest kids in the class. If I could go back, I would have dropped out, gotten a GED, and went to college when I was around 16.

coolnewtoy 17y ago
If I were 16 now I'd spend the extra time on Open Courseware and go to college only when I had done enough exploring on my own to really take advantage of the profs' expertise.
yardie 17y ago
...and you would have ended up at community college. HS guidance counselors and college admission officers get this type of smartass thinking all the time and the answer never changes. Anyone can take the GED, it proves you aren't a complete waste of space. Anyone with half a brain can also graduate. What separates you from all the other mouth breathers is what you did with those 4 years. I, technically, finished highschool in 2 years. I spent the following 2 taking college prep and AP courses. And that is how you go to college.
- rabidsnail 17y ago
  Many (most?) community colleges have affiliations with proper universities such that if you're not a complete dud for the two years you spend there (place in the top 40% or somesuch) you can transfer your credits and do the last two years at a proper university. I've known several people who have done this successfully.
  - timwiseman 17y ago
    My wife is one of them. For financial and geographic reasons, she started at a community college then transferred to a proper university after finishing there. She had to retake one course that wouldn't transfer and a couple of classes at the community college became electives when they transferred over, but for the most part she saved a lot of money that way.
pasbesoin 17y ago
I completed the second year of high school German by spending a few summer days at the local library. The teacher lent me a second year book for the summer. I'd started my language requirement late, in my junior year, and wanted to make up time and get to a more interesting class. I'm pretty sure it was not much more than 10 partial days' effort, and maybe less. This was without a German speaker to practice with, other than a pen pal. (Well, Dad still remembered some from his school days and travels, but he didn't use it much and I did this on my own.) However, I had just gone on a school trip to Germany early that summer. Just nine days -- not long enough to really pick much up German -- especially amidst a herd of English speaking contemporaries. But it was a great trip and so very motivating. (I've remained friends with the tour guide to this day.)

by jcnnghm 17y ago

coolnewtoy 17y ago

If I were 16 now I'd spend the extra time on Open Courseware and go to college only when I had done enough exploring on my own to really take advantage of the profs' expertise.

yardie 17y ago

...and you would have ended up at community college. HS guidance counselors and college admission officers get this type of smartass thinking all the time and the answer never changes. Anyone can take the GED, it proves you aren't a complete waste of space. Anyone with half a brain can also graduate. What separates you from all the other mouth breathers is what you did with those 4 years. I, technically, finished highschool in 2 years. I spent the following 2 taking college prep and AP courses. And that is how you go to college.

rabidsnail 17y ago
Many (most?) community colleges have affiliations with proper universities such that if you're not a complete dud for the two years you spend there (place in the top 40% or somesuch) you can transfer your credits and do the last two years at a proper university. I've known several people who have done this successfully.
- timwiseman 17y ago
  My wife is one of them. For financial and geographic reasons, she started at a community college then transferred to a proper university after finishing there. She had to retake one course that wouldn't transfer and a couple of classes at the community college became electives when they transferred over, but for the most part she saved a lot of money that way.

pasbesoin 17y ago

I completed the second year of high school German by spending a few summer days at the local library. The teacher lent me a second year book for the summer. I'd started my language requirement late, in my junior year, and wanted to make up time and get to a more interesting class. I'm pretty sure it was not much more than 10 partial days' effort, and maybe less. This was without a German speaker to practice with, other than a pen pal. (Well, Dad still remembered some from his school days and travels, but he didn't use it much and I did this on my own.) However, I had just gone on a school trip to Germany early that summer. Just nine days -- not long enough to really pick much up German -- especially amidst a herd of English speaking contemporaries. But it was a great trip and so very motivating. (I've remained friends with the tour guide to this day.)