Success Stories

Don’t Give Up

For some individuals, like myself, high school was a challenge when combined with a dysfunctional family life with alcoholism and physical abuse. Leaving high school to take care of myself was the biggest mistake of my life. That decision and its repercussions’ have haunted me to this day. Finding occupations where employers would overlook my lack of education meant toiling away in low paying jobs, living paycheck to paycheck, with no way to come out on top.

Subsequently, I have no savings, bad credit, and no security in life. I knew I had to do better, if not I would find myself living on the streets, and at times I came dangerously close to having to do just that. I made the decision to get my G.E.D. in order to get into college and give myself the tools for success; knowledge and experience. Then I would have the chance at a career of my choice that I enjoyed and excelled in, a career that would allow me to live a more meaningful existence.

I was hesitant at the thought of being “tested”, I had left school in the 9th grade and felt that even though I was pretty literate, my general grasp of subjects like science, history, and math especially, were sub par and I was embarrassed that at thirty years old I was still struggling with concepts like fractions and decimals.

Nonetheless, I was determined to better myself so, putting need over pride, I enrolled in the G.E.D. preparation class at the Central Texas Technology Center here in New Braunfels. Mrs. Berry, our instructor, was just amazing; she eased my fears and made me feel comfortable in knowing I had made the right choice, and that it’s never too late to try. I knew then that I was on the right track.

Week by week I studied for each test, discovering that, after all, I had nothing to fear by just reading the material and studying. I even found I enjoyed some aspects of math, a subject that had for years instilled fear and dread deep within my mind. I took each test with a sense of confidence, knowing that I would do well enough to pass. I even thought I might score pretty high in the language and writing areas. Then all I had to do was wait.

The scoring center was overwhelmed with the amount of tests needing to be scored, so each week I heard nothing. With growing anticipation and bated breath I checked the mail everyday in hopes of getting my test results back. Finally the first three came in; I had passed Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts: Reading!

Exhilarated by this knowledge, I await the Language Arts: Writing and the Math scores with a sense of faith. I am no longer nervous. I am secure in my abilities and am sure that I completed my G.E.D. certificate. I will now be able to go to college and further my education. I look forward to being able to improve my skills and have the power to choose the direction my life takes.

I know there are many people like me, who, due to circumstance have lived less than satisfactory lives. That because of not finishing high school, people who have had to take any low wage job offered, out of desperation and need, and are now feeling stuck in their situation. I am here to let those people know that their chance is still out there, no matter what their age or skill level. They can still start over and get the basic building block that opens the door to higher education and better paying jobs, the G.E.D. It’s up to you.