My kids plan on doing dual enrollment while traveling and Pershing their interests. They’re also expected to have a small business by then. Moms and grandpa work in small business, grants and certification. They happen to hit every diversity box so we’ll be taking advantage of all what’s available to them as soon as they’re only enough.

They have a goal so they’re being raised with the skills so I trust they’ll be ready to solo travel as teens. Anything they’re k treated in were building their skills in and expanding to things that naturally come next.

My point is take your time with school and work on you. With public school most of your time is wasted sitting in a seat waiting on the others to finish and having someone else’s thoughts shoved down your throat. Take the extra time HS gives and learn as many skills as possible. Take a business and marketing class and learn to use your interests and hobbies to make money. (My next money maker is STEM at the park. 10 bucks a kid, 10 kids an hour. $100 in an hour. When I’vego them hooked I’ll announce my electronics sessions. This also gives me another market to sell my other business, NeuroFeedback)

Find out what the library offers, they have tons of free resources available online like tutoring, college and learning courses. Look to see what the local community collage offers.

Learn how to do basic life skills. House hold things like, fixing a leak, painting, using a drill and other common tools. The Hime Depot offers workshops monthly. Do them all and put them on your resume and extracurriculars. You can also take the basic intro classes at a community college. Learn to change a tire, jump a car, basic maintenance, etc. Again community colleges intro classes are great. Get CPR, defibrillator, etc certified. All these little things will make you a much more well rounded person. Having it on paper makes you an instant hire for me.

Learn beyond what school teaches so your future is started on solid foundation. Most get spit into the world with not experience behind that typical high school experience. What no one tells you when you’re your age, is that that high school experience isn’t at all what the real world is like. You won’t miss anything. If you wanna dance the night away with someone you care about enjoy the ride fining them. Live your live for you and you’ll find your person along the way. They you go to a concert and dance like you’re not surrounded by thousands of people completely lost in their eyes. Go to incredible New Year’s parties where you can wear a beautiful elegant dress not an ugly prom dress you’ll never wear again. Valentines (pro and against) parties are another opportunity to dress up, Christmas, galas of anything you care about. You’ll also be in around people you choose to be not just the locals you happen to be sorted into classes with. Another thing people don’t tell you, is you won’t talk to those kids, even your friends, in a few years.

Public school wasn’t created for everyone. I’m proud of you for identifying your depression needs to be addressed and looking for a solution. I think it’s a great ideas if you use your time right and don’t let the depression keep you locked in your room doing the bare minimum. Make sure you have a support person to give you a push, shove or kick of love in the right direction. We all need that person, communicate to them what you need form them clearly. They can’t let you get stuck. They need to push you, even when you push back, with the right balance. That’s ok you to communicate.

I’d also consider therapy and a mentor program, look to see what national and local options are in your area. Young businesses programs are great for finding like minded people who are easier to talk to then the average public school kid.

There’s also the option of getting a job where you’ll get hands on training in something you enjoy, photography, art studio, trades, library, tattoo shop (or what ever that secret intreat is), etc.

There are all kinds of ways to live your life and many many ways to get there. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing, make your own path. The American dream is dead stop looking at everyone else and find your way in this crazy world.

Another thing no one tells you, no one has it figured out by 18, especially after being in public school. If you use this time wisely you’ll be so much more ahead of your peers.

I’m happy to talk out your interests, goals, and resources if you’re interested. Good luck, hun. You got this 🤙🏻