As some know, I’m 16. During the 2016-2017 school year, I was a sophomore in high school. I was trying to decide if I was going to stick to my original plan of graduating in 2019 with an Associate’s Degree to go along with my high school diploma OR if I was going to take a leap of faith, forfeit that, and graduate a year early. It was a tough decision. I’m smart, but I have ALWAYS hated school. I hated waking up early. I hated physically going there. I hated the people. I hated being there. I just hated all of it. Well, I still do.

I did make the decision to graduate a year early, though. So, I am only going to be hate-filled for one more school year rather than two. It’s exciting! I get to speed up my life in a way. Unfortunately, it’s also beyond stressful. I am getting my Advanced Diploma (requires 26 credits*) rather than the Standard Diploma (requires 22 credits*). I also participate at a specialty center for Mass Communications. This presents even more of a hurdle to include that on top of my base-school classes.

In my school system, we have A and B days. Each day has four blocks (periods). This means that one student can take 8 credits a year in school. I’m taking 9.5. My day is filled with Mass Communications (two blocks each morning), AP US History and AP Government one after and miscellaneous sciences the next. The ninth credit is my AP English 12 which I’m taking online. The half credit is me shadowing a local vet as a part of a program for Gifted Students. Oh, I also work two part-time jobs. I’m already stressed to the max and this school year hasn’t even begun (starts 8/23). Nevermind the fact that I cannot find a college that I like. A lot of people switch majors. Up until a month ago, I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life, so the concept of switching majors wasn’t something I was concerned with. So, now, I am trying to find a school with a lot of stuff that I’m interested in so if I have to change majors, I won’t have to change my school. On top of all of my other ridiculous wants and needs in a college. It’s like I’m inhaling. All the time. 24/7. I never get to let it go. It’s budding pressure.

Every year before school starts, I go through a depressive state. It’s bad. I usually come home in tears the first few days of school. I hate it. And I hate it more than usual this year due to more stress than usual. Of course, I put it all on myself. I’m just hoping that this stress pays off when I get my diploma a year earlier than expected and will never have to return to a god-forsaken high school again.

I hope.

Here are some unfortunate truths of graduating early. Hopes are also included to make myself feel better about this beyond stressful decision.

1. It sucks. It's stressful. Even when classes haven't officially started.

2. It's okay to feel overwhelmed.

I'd hope so, anyway. I am definitely already feeling it.

3. Your schedule will be packed.

4. Social lives are necessary. You'll probably need your friends to get through the year of hell.

Heck, I've needed my friends just to get me through this summer leading to my doom. Don't let school and classes ruin your friendships. Don't let socializing get in the way of school, either. Balance.

5. It will be worth it. Hopefully. I'm not sure yet. The year hasn't started and I haven't graduated yet. But, I'm hopeful.

* each class equals one credit.