I am a product of the homeschool system. Yes, I did all of my work in the comfort of my house. Yes, my mom and dad were my teachers (at least for the beginning years). Yes, I sometimes chose to go to “class” in my pajamas. No, I do not fit into your stereo-typing.

The thing is, I can’t be defined by that one aspect of my life. I think that it is a ridiculous notion to believe that anyone can be defined by where their parents chose to send them for an education. I don’t look at my friends that went to public or private school and immediately assume that I know everything about them. Can you see how absurd that notion is?

However, I understand that the profile that follows a homeschooler isn’t going to change just because I want it to; every homeschooler before me has rolled their eyes at the oh-so-clever jokes: “You’re homeschooled? Does that make all of your work ‘homework’?” (insert uncontrollable laughter)

Nevertheless, that understanding isn’t going to stop me from telling you that you shouldn’t believe everything that you hear about us.

I didn’t spend the majority of my days for thirteen years going to class and surrounded by friends, but that doesn’t make me socially awkward. I still had time to do stuff on the weekend. I played sports for community and summer leagues. I hung out with my friends on the weekend. I got a job and made friends with my co-workers. I had plenty of opportunities to interact with other people. If that isn’t enough proof, just ask all of the people who have said this to me: “Wait, you’re homeschooled? I never would have guessed! You act so normal.”

I may have taken some upper level classes, but I am not a genius. Everyone seems to think that because I was homeschooled I must be freakishly intelligent. I wish that were the truth; it isn’t. I had to put in long hours to achieve the grades I did, and I had to search for help when I ran out of resources at my house. I struggled through almost every math class that I took, and I will never be able to tell you when those two trains that left the station will reach their destinations. That being said, I did well in school. Everyone has the chance to do well in school as long as they work for it.

I wasn’t sheltered. This is my favorite stereotype. Back in high school one of my friends would start up a conversation about a newly released movie and stop mid-sentence. “Oh, you probably haven’t seen it. It’s PG-13…” Actually, I had seen it. I saw it when you were stuck in the middle of History class on a Tuesday afternoon (this is a hypothetical situation; I’m not that bitter). You want to find sheltered people? Go to college! In my first week of freshman orientation I met so many sheltered people who actually hadn’t seen a movie beyond a PG rating (surprise, they went to public school).

Basically, don’t assume you know everything about me just based off the fact that I happened to be homeschooled. It’s annoying, and as a collective whole we roll our eyes at your misconceptions.