Oh jeez, have not posted in a while. School caught up to me…and what a perfect segue-way into today's topic: education!
I met a girl over the summer who is home-schooled with her sister. They educate themselves through an online program created by Brigham Young University (for those of you who do not know, that is a Mormon college - and yes, Mormons are lovely people; do not be judgmental okay). They have lots of freedom when choosing courses and are able to learn at their own pace.
I have always toyed with the idea of home-schooling. The only realistic way I think it can be achieved is through the internet, because my parents do not a) have the qualifications to teach me all I know (I mean, whose parents can) and do not b) have enough time.
People always envy the seemingly endless free time home-schooled children have, but I don't think that is a true stereotype. If a child is serious about earning an education the non-conventional way, s/he will work for it. And that is exactly what my friend does. She makes a master schedule for the amount of work she needs to do per class and finishes a course in about 6-8 months, like a normal school year. Her tests and grades are calculated through BYU, who send her a transcript and eventually, her diploma. But think about how much extra time she has to focus on learning what she really wants! Studying for the SAT or ACT more, completing DIY projects, decorating her bedroom, all the activities I could do with more time (including writing more entries on this blog).
Home-schooling is something I have given a lot of thought about - that maybe if I could repeat my life, I would choose to not attend a school for my early education. But how do I govern what I learn? How do I know what I actually want to study? Because even as I enter college next fall, I am still confused.
Ah, college. Which triggers an entire new train of thought. This home-schooled friend of mine is planning on applying to college when she has been studying via the internet for about seven years! She is "succumbing" to the mold society tells her to fit by registering at a structured educational institution! I don't know if that is the irony of ironies, but one certainly cannot find a job without proper credentials i.e. earning a degree that is not online.
Lord knows if anyone actually reads these entires, but let me know what you think about public/private vs. home schooling. Any personal experiences?
Hope to be posting more regularly soon!
