Helping a friend with her high school diploma
By maezee
@maezee (41997)
United States
September 18, 2019 1:49pm CST
This is a unique situation I am in, I guess. I have this friend who reconnected with me after years of her abusing drugs. She has been clean for a couple of years now, got a full time job that pays decently, and while in the process of getting her life together, she has decided to pursue her high school diploma. She had dropped out in about 10th grade and never pursued her GED, night school or anything else.
Now she has just started taking an independent-study type high school diploma course. She is taking classes, doing short readings and assignments on a variety of subjects. I am excited for her to pursue this; in my mind it seems like the easiest way she is going to get her diploma.
She has a hard time reading and studying. So I have been helping her with her social studies reading and homework. She just is not a strong reader and loses her attention span quickly. So far we have done 4 assignments and readings together, I read while she listened and we stopped to discuss things to help her understand.
It is kind of fun for me too as I am getting to re-learn some of this material. Right now she is reading about the American Revolution. Interesting.
This is a big project for me too and will be taking up a lot of my time- but looking forward to her success. I am going to have her start reading a paragraph at a time so she can become better at reading and comprehension...
Have you been in a situation like this?
16 people like this
16 responses
@snowy22315 (171277)
• United States
18 Sep 19
Not with a friend, but I once volunteered in a GED class. Some people are very quick to pick things up, and others it seems it takes them years. I admire what you are doing with your friend.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (171277)
• United States
20 Sep 19
@maezee To a degree, but certainly better than having no certification at all! My son went through a phase one time where he wanted to get a GED, put his father and I insisted he get his HS diploma. He did go on to do a little college work as well.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
Yay thanks for the encouragement. That's awesome! And I think that's what's frustrating about learning....Everyone does it different and at their own speed. I have heard the GED test is extremely difficult, too, which is funny to me because it carries a type of negative stigma, wouldn't you say?
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48649)
• Canada
18 Sep 19
I'm sure that you helping her and enjoying it as much as you do will help her to achieve her goal.
I remember years ago, when my husband was working at the factory there was someone that he worked with that was illiterate. My husband noticed because he asked him about the contract, something that every union member had a pocket sized copy of. The guys would have been in their late 20's at that time. My husband suggested he learn to read, which lead to him getting a tutor and learning that and then working on his high school diploma. He graduated, my husband was so proud of him, sadly that co-worker passed in his very early 30's from cancer. My husband thinks that he knew that he had it long before he went to the doctor for it.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
I thought this story was going to be super triumphant, and it was, but extremely saddening. :( Good for your husband though for encouraging him to better himself. I am sure with whatever this guy was going through, it felt good to succeed and learn how to read. It's amazing how even I take these things for granted. I kind of fear with my friend that years of not reading anything more than a sentence or two has really negatively impacted her reading skills...
1 person likes this
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
I hope she sticks to it! I am super excited for her though, that she found this program that she can do on her own. She wasn't able to study fro the GED and didn't receive enough "help". As a 26 year old that she is, it's hard to find "alternative"-type programs in our area to help her. So fingers crossed!
2 people like this
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
I hope so! It's amazing how not having your high school diploma will hold you back - just knowing you don't have it, jobs, moving on to college, etc. Although as far as the jobs thing, I wonder how many employers actually CHECK if you have a high school diploma. Either way, it will be a great accomplishment if she can follow through.
1 person likes this
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
I know. I am SO proud of her. I just need her to continue to move forward with it...I haven't had her as a friend for the past ~6 years, so while there is trust to be built....I think we are getting there. Thanks for yoru encouragement, and I will pass it along!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
18 Sep 19
You are a kind friend. Four years ago, I went to attend a class to get credits to become a Real Estate Broker. They were intense classes that we have to take for two months before taking the licensure exam. Two of my seat mates were having difficulty understanding everything that I had to help them in each and every class. And then before the exam, I had to help them review all the materials that were given. Some people in the class told me that I was very patient with those two. In the end, we passed the licensure exam and the other people in the class were surprised that those two made it. Both were very grateful to me until now. They said they couldn't have made it if it weren't for my help.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36594)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Sep 19
That is so nice you are able to help her. No, I have not done that.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Sep 19
Yes I have in the past. You are very kind to do this for her and I am sure she will appreciate you helping her get on her feet and progress! Well done you!
1 person likes this
@samysotelo18 (7744)
• Mexico
18 Sep 19
well right now im in the situation where i feel distant from a friend, i dont know whats going to happen next, but i wish you the best of luck for your project!!
1 person likes this
@Abesol (18)
•
18 Sep 19
I am a graduate. I have helped scores of students in classes. I have always felt that by helping others, one could help themselves. Like an adroit teacher, I did manage to simplify concepts that students had a hard time comprehending.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
20 Sep 19
Yes! That is great. THAT is definitely necessary for my friend - we have to stop every few sentences to clarify language and really pick apart what they are trying to say, so it can be re-phrased so she understands it in a way that makes sense. If that makes sense. Sounds like you were a great teacher!
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
20 Sep 19
You are so good to help her I hope she can stick with it now.
I have not been in that situation no.
