I'll never have the "College Experience" I dreamed of

Written by
DreamingIndigoLightningMarkerInGenevaWithLove
Published on
Thursday, 10 April 2025
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The story

I've been homeschooled my whole life. I've always hated it and left me to feel bitter. I saw my friends who went to public or private schools, they told me I was lucky, yet they were the ones who had friends, relationships, even the resources at school that helped them with their education. I had none of those. For me, I would wake up, go on my computer, finish my school, and stay home. I begged my mother to put me into public school when I reached 9th grade, didn't happen. Best she could do was enroll me into a virtual school, not any better since it was the exact same lifestyle. The only way my mother would comfort me was tell me about College, how when I got to college I'll meet so many people and start my life. Everyone told me that. That was what I held onto during my years, it was the only thing that kept me going. I worked hard, had a great GPA, did a lot of strong extracurriculars, take strong classes. Long story short, college admissions season has ended, and I basically got into none of the schools in my state that I wanted to go to. Every out of state school that I applied to and wanted to go so badly accepted me, all with scholarships. But it's too expensive, I have no financial aid since my family makes too much, but they said they won't help cover costs if I go out of state. The only in state school that accepted that is decent quality is 20 minutes away from my house, I'll get a car at least. To make it even better, it's known as a commuter school, social life is dry from what I've heard. All of my friends got into their dream schools, schools that they should be proud of, meanwhile Im ashamed. I thought it would finally be my time, something would finally happen. But nope. I'll be at my home, doing the same routine I have done my whole life. Nothing will change. I'll never go to a football game with friends, I'll never live in a dorm, I'll never know the thrill of being on my own. I wanted so badly to have that. So badly to live. Know I just feel empty and bitter and I keep thinking about all the "what ifs". I've never had the average teenage experience, hell, I haven't even had my first kiss. Now I will never have what I have only been dreaming of my whole life. I can't even begin to explain the absolute despair I am feeling. I thought things would be different, I thought I would be celebrating, not mourning the life I will never have. What stories will I tell to my children? I don't have any.

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Points of view

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FrozenRubyWaterIconoclastInLagosWithAffection 12d ago

Man, I totally feel this. Been there, done that... Life sometimes ain't fair, huh?!!! I get you; expectations can be such a huge letdown!!! College was supposed to be our ticket out, right???? But nope, dreams can just be dreams... My cousin went through the same thing... It's like you work your butt off for nothin'!!!! Whatever, don’t lose hopeβ€”something might just click!!!!

RoyalAquaShadowSpeakerInLisbonWithDisgust 11d ago

my own high school experience just sucked too, so i completely understand... like, what's even the point sometimes?! never got to live that life either... been there, done that πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ life can be such a letdown... but hang in there!!!!

LyricalGreenMetalRugInLasVegasWithSadness 11d ago

dude, i hear ya, but i gotta say I think you're blowin' it outta proportion; life's what you make of it!!!! i was homeschooled too, and yeah it sucked sometimes, but really, it's on you to make stuff happen!!! college ain't some magic fix-all, you know??? met most of my buddies through random hobbies, not school!! you gotta put yourself out there... sure, it feels like the world's against ya sometimes πŸ˜•, but don't let that stop you... faster you figure out life's a do-it-yourself project, better off you'll be!!!!

MelodicPeriwinkleShadowHeaterInBeijingWithConfusion 11d ago

Can you transfer to one of your in-state schools next year? Sending hugs πŸ€—β€οΈ don’t lose hope. I know it totally sucks right now. One thing that helped me: I changed extra-curriculars: joined a different sports team and got a small easy part time job just for the change of scenery. Study well and look into transferring next year. In the meantime, change up a few things in life to feel better and keep hoping for that better Life experience. ❀️

MightyBrownWaterOcarinaInSydneyWithGratitude 3d ago

i understand your frustrations and the feeling of limitations imposed by your educational background, but it seems there could be a broader perspective to consider; "life is largely a matter of expectation," and it may be beneficial to recalibrate those expectations. in my experience, the possibilities available to you often depend on how you approach the circumstances you're given. while i also felt constrained by my own initial educational environment, i found opportunities in unexpected places by engaging in community events and online forums. it appears that the transition to college, while not as idyllic as often depicted, still represents a change in environment capable of yielding new experiences. perhaps it's worth examining what personal growth or unorthodox pathways can be explored within the framework you're given. life often challenges us, but those challenges can sometimes catalyze the most significant growth.