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Sick of school and can't see a way out of it because your parents work or are not willing to invest the time in homeschooling? Don't worry, there's still hope! If you're a teenager, you can self-school by teaching yourself.
Steps
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Learn about homeschooling in general. Find out about the benefits of homeschooling, like socialization, efficiency, and individualization, as well as the different methods, such as unit studies, notebooking, unschooling, and school-at-home. Think about your learning preferences, level of motivation, and decide what would work best for you. Read Grace Llewellyn's Teenage Liberation Handbook. It should awaken the autodidactic spirit in you.
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Read up on the homeschooling laws in your area. Your region may require as little as a notice of intent or as much as quarterly reports and annual assessment. Find out exactly what is required of you and decide whether or not you're still up to it.Advertisement
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Talk to your parents about your ideas. They will need to help you set up your homeschool legally. It's also important for them to understand what you'll be doing and why you want to self-school.
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Decide upon what you want to learn about. Take into account that there may be mandatory subjects by law in your region or things you have to study for college admissions. Once you have those bases covered you are free to add the subjects of your liking, from vegetable gardening, to meditation, history of art, European royalty, Asian studies, all sorts of languages, the sky is the limit! If you find that your interests aren't compatible with homeschool, think again! How about you brush up on the history of video games? Or learn to write in gothic calligraphy?
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Plan out what you would do for each subject. For math, borrow or purchase a used textbook, and work through the problems. For English, write stories and essays on topics that interest you. Go to the library and check out some books. Even if you hated the classics in school, try to read them on your own. Often you only thought you hated them because you were frustrated with school. Use the library and the internet as much as possible because they are wonderful resources. Look at Cafi Cohen's Homeschooling: The Teen Years for ideas. Ideally, you'll have a list of goals to accomplish in each subject and then act on it.
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Talk to your parents about your plans, and if they're in, ask them to help you deal with the legalities. They may need to write letters to the district and/or explain what you're going to study for each subject. If they're hesitant, agree to conduct a trial period. Then, impress them by demonstrating your version of self-directed education.
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Once you're legally self-schooling, keep up the good work! Don't slack off because you will suffer in the future. Work hard, but enjoy the learning process and the freedom of self-schooling. Plan time for friends, fun, and creative activities.
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Keep detailed records of your self-schooling. Keep track of the assignments you do, photographs of you doing projects, volunteering, and having fun, and anything else that documents your experience in a scrapbook or portfolio. Be extremely responsible and mature by remembering this step. It is especially important if you're planning to go to college. Read the Homeschooler's Guide to Portfolios and Transcripts and search the internet for information about homeschooling into college, maintaining portfolios, and creating transcripts. Read the Homeschooler's College Admissions Handbook by Cafi Cohen.
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Enjoy the self-schooling experience because you are one of the rare children to exceed expectations and take their education into their own hands. It is likely that you will impress people with your knowledge, independence, and motivation, including colleges!
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I stay social and make friends if I am home-schooled?Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.Clinical Therapist & Adjunct ProfessorExpert AnswerVolunteer! Volunteering for community organizations or events is an excellent way to meet people and make friends. Look for volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and passions. If you love animals, check out opportunities at the local animal shelter or start a fundraiser! Utilize online communities. There are numerous online homeschooling forums, social media groups, and virtual communities where homeschoolers connect. Engage in these platforms to share experiences, ask questions, and arrange meetups with local homeschoolers.
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QuestionI'm in seventh grade and hate school. I'm anxious about everyone and everything. I want to be home-schooled, but my mom said she doesn't have the qualifications to help me learn. What should I do?Community AnswerTry using websites such as Khan Academy, and make sure your parents know there are online resources out there to help you.
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QuestionWhat age do you need to be to homeschool yourself?Community AnswerYou should probably be in at 11 years old. If you're younger than that, consider asking your parents to help set your homeschooling up and keep you on track with your studies.
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Tips
- Depending on how you are most productive, it may help to set up a schedule, set dates for papers you impose on yourself about things you need or want to learn more about or even test yourself on pre-assigned dates. A weekly and monthly schedule may be from helpful to plain essentialThanks
- Be prepared to defend your stance on education with logic and make yourself an example of self-schooling success.Thanks
- To be on time for your schedule planned out.Thanks
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Warnings
- You may face discrimination, stereotyping and other politically incorrect reactions from people. Be ready with logic and make a great impression.Thanks
- Plan for your future and know if you want to go to college.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Internet or library access
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about school, check out our in-depth interview with Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP .
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