Mindset

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

  1. Accept that time will pass regardless of whether you spend it in school or not.

    2 people, independently

  2. Reframe the feeling of not wanting to learn hard things as a signal that your brain needs to build new neural structures, rather than a sign of lacking talent or hate.

    The feeling indicates that there is no existing neural structure for the task yet, signaling that one must be built.

    one person who lived it

  3. View obtaining a GED as removing self-imposed boundaries on your future and ending the feeling of being a dropout.

    It eliminates the psychological burden of identifying as a dropout.

    • Based on one person's experience

    one person who lived it

  4. Embrace your current stage in your educational journey, recognizing the value of the knowledge and connections you are gaining.

    The knowledge acquired and friends/network built make the experience worthwhile.

    one person who lived it

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  1. Attend the commencement ceremony to celebrate your achievement for yourself, not for family or social media.

    The feelings associated with the journey make the ceremony more rewarding when done for oneself.

    one person who lived it

  2. Power through writer's block with determination rather than stopping.

    Inspiration favors determination.

    one person who lived it

  3. Recognize that finishing college at a specific age is a societal fallacy; school is always available.

    one person who lived it

  4. Trust in your ability to learn, recognizing that every experience carries a lesson.

    one person who lived it

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