There’s this thing called school and I’m done.

I have all my coursework and duotangs in a box in my bedroom ready to be assessed by my teacher next month.

All my highschool courses. All my book lists and course descriptions and science workbooks and book reports and essay samples.

So other than my two ‘fun’ courses at a public school this semester (yes I’m taking classes for fun they’re philosophy and law don’t judge) —-

I’m done school.

(and now I’m going to be serious which may be hard to believe considering that GIF)

It’s really weird to have nearly eighteen years of education in two boxes, like my life up till now has been boiled down to be analyzed and graded and understood.

Other homeschoolers will probably understand (especially those who have/had no teacher interaction) that it’s really easy to feel inadequate and less-than when you compare yourselves with people who have had formal grades and ‘proper’ teachers all their lives.

It’s easy to forget all you’ve accomplished when a normal highschooler (and some homeschoolers) can just tick off a list and say “Math, History, English, Socials, Sciences, Grad Transitions, Physical Education. Yep, you’re done. You’re ready to be an adult.”

I definitely haven’t studied all the “required” things. I’ve explored some strange subject and poured my energy and my passion into things I love. I’ve learned in many non-traditional ways. I’ve busted out of a few boxes, both in the homeschooling and non-homeschooling worlds.

Sometimes that makes me feel like I’m inferior, like my education isn’t as valid or hasn’t prepared me as effectively for what’s next. There are a lot of boxes that people think you have to tick off in the “becoming an adult” journey. Everyone has their own idea of what it means to be “educated.”

But true education comes down to individuality. My life is not your life. Your life is not mine. The things I’ve done (and the things I haven’t) have shaped me. The education I’ve had, while not conventional, has been good.

The freedom that comes with being a registered homeschooler has enabled me to pursue English and history in diverse ways. It gave me time to pour into OYAN and play music and learn techy computer stuff that gave me a part time job. It enabled me to play strategy games on school days and volunteer at a kid’s Bible class and read half a bagillion books and many other things that have enlarged my vision, deepened my knowledge, and stretched my limits both educationally and in that more-important field of Living Life. Through all my experiences, I’ve learned to love learning and I will continue to love learning.

And I’m now officially a grad.

“The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
And far ahead the road has gone
And I must follow,
If I can.”