#Tuestimony
I should have failed a grade level (maybe even two), but I graduated from High School on time... because God put some Angels of Teachers in my path.
Idk what I was going thru in high school, but it def didnt reflect my academic strengths. I was widely recognized as being a really bright student... but I was also widely recognized as being a really lazy student. I always scored highly on tests, exams, classwork, homework, pop quizzes. BUT..... the thing was... I often (1) didnt do homework, (2) was too late getting to school to turn in homework for a class or take a test, (3) fell asleep in class, (4) skipped a lot of classes or skipped school altogether. So... my assignments were good WHEN I did them, but I admit that I didnt do them very often.
My first 2.5 years of high school was at an advanced school for gifted students. In that time span... I failed an English class, I failed Geography twice, and I was in process of failing something else but I cant remember (probably History?). I had to go to summer school after 9th and 10th grades to make up for the failed courses. Mid-year 11th grade, my Principal sat me down in her office and told me there was no way I would graduate from that school on time. She gave me 3 options:
A. Remain at that school > Get held back & repeat my 11th grade year. Do better and graduate a year late.
B. Remain at that school > NOT get held back a grade level. Do better and graduate on time. However, I would receive a graduation diploma from my zone public school... because I wouldnt have enough credits to earn a diploma from the advanced school. I also wouldnt be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony because I wouldnt actually be graduating from that school.
C. Transfer to my zone public school. Credits carried over would put me at a slightly above-average 11th grade student level. Do better at the zone school, and I could graduate on time, with an "Honors Diploma".
I chose Option C and transferred to my zone school mid-year 11th grade. But... my habits didnt change. So while assignments were a lot less demanding, apathy was still leading my output. So, I failed a class or two there at the new school and had to attend summer school again and even repeat some courses in 12th grade.
Near the end of the year, when all the Seniors were gathered in the auditorium and handed envelopes that said whether you were graduating or not... I sat there for a super long time without opening my letter. I was in my chair, surrounded by people, but feeling completely alone. Because while everybody was excited and shouting and high-fiving and discussing what they were gonna do next year... I kept my head down, thinking about what I could possibly tell my Mama and my Grandma about why I wasnt gonna graduate. Finally, I mustered up the courage to open the letter, and to my surprise, it began with "Congratulations...". I dont even think I read anything after that before I jumped up in my seat and did the typical power-fist pump in the air, accompanied by a series of "Yea, Yea, Yea!" I was soooo excited!! And confused... cuz I knew I was still failing some classes and previous report cards showed I shouldnt make it.
Later, I went to my teachers individually to ask them how on Earth did I get a "Positive Graduation" letter? They all had similar responses; something along the lines of "You're very smart. And you're not a bad student (as far as conduct/citizenship). I couldnt fail you for the year. But... LIFE isnt so nice. So, you cant continue with that same work ethic and efforts and expect to excel. I know you know better. So be better."
Some said I was lucky. I felt like God had a plan for me and put it in those teachers' hearts to "give me a pass", because repeating my Senior year would have messed up whatever God's plan for me was. All I know... is that I didnt take my graduation for granted. After high school, I attended VCU for a year... for Psychology 1st semester and Electrical Engineering 2nd semester. And while I did well, I realized that I didnt want to pursue either field long-term. So I left after the first year and went to Centura College (formerly known as Beta Tech) for Computer Networking Administration. I was diligent in homework, extra studies, attendance, and even peer tutoring. Out of 8 marking periods, I made Dean's List 5 times and Honor's List the other 3 times. My academic efforts after High School was one of the ways I said "Thank You, God." for sparing me the trouble that would have come had I not graduated on time. And, I didnt want to take God's Grace for granted by maintaining previous habits and expecting Him to make another miracle for me. There was def no summer school for failing a college course!
I do not encourage anyone to follow what I did. While my experience taught me some lessons in hindsight, it has also cost me a lot of money!... as I didnt have any scholarships and had to pay out-of-pocket for college! So now... I encourage others to strive for academic excellence (in studies, in ethics, in effort)... because it would make life a whole lot easier.
#WontHeDoIt!