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+---- Thread: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? (/showthread.php?tid=6309969)
Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Dick Grayson - Oct 4, 2025
Hey everyone,
I'm posting here because the traditional path seems to be failing me, and I need advice from people who might have been in a similar situation.
I'm 17 years old, I'm in high school, and everything is going downhill. My grades are terrible, I'm failing several key subjects, and the administration has officially warned my parents about possible expulsion. There's pretty much no chance to fix anything before the end of the year.
1. The School Situation:
I'm not lazy. I just have serious issues with motivation and focusing on subjects that feel useless. I sit in class and can't force myself to pay attention. The result is missed assignments, bad grades, and conflicts with teachers. It feels like the education system wasn't built for someone like me. I'm terrified of the actual expulsion: the shame in front of my classmates, disappointing my parents, and the feeling that I've failed at life before even starting.
2. Fear for the Future:
This is the biggest part. The whole world tells you that without a good high school diploma and a college degree, you're doomed to be a loser. I think about this constantly and it makes me panic. So, at 17 years old, is my life already over? I imagine myself with no money, no prospects, and it's driving me crazy.
3. The Main Question: Is there a chance?
This is exactly why I'm writing here. I know this forum is full of successful people in IT, infosec, online business, trading, and other fields where they often care more about skills than diplomas.
Has anyone here been kicked out of high school? How did you get through that moment and what did you do next?
Is it realistic to build a career (especially in IT) without a formal education? Where do you even start when you're in a deep hole and have lost all confidence?
What are the real, working options? Maybe online courses (please recommend some), self-studying programming, starting on freelancing platforms like Upwork or Fiverr? What can give me a quick start and at least some money?
Is it worth trying at all costs to get back in, go to a community college, or get a GED, just to have "some" education?
I'm not looking for pity. I need a realistic perspective and practical advice. I'm ready to work and learn, but only in things that have meaning and can give me results. School has killed my desire to learn, but I want to get it back.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Jamika - Oct 4, 2025
Yeah for sure , school and learning is not everything, life is still long ahead , never give up
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - JoshAllen - Oct 4, 2025
I will be very honest with someone that was in your position a decade ago, school is important.
I understand many parts are useless to you, but there are many that lay down the fundamentals for the future.
Highschool is basically the same as having a boss giving you a task.
My honest advice is to at least get a GED. It is easy and will open your opportunities a lot more.
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Dick Grayson - Oct 4, 2025
(Oct 4, 2025 06:53 AM)Tyler™ Wrote: I will be very honest with someone that was in your position a decade ago, school is important.
I understand many parts are useless to you, but there are many that lay down the fundamentals for the future.
Highschool is basically the same as having a boss giving you a task.
My honest advice is to at least get a GED. It is easy and will open your opportunities a lot more.
Thank you very much for your reply)
(Oct 4, 2025 06:44 AM)Jamika Wrote: Yeah for sure , school and learning is not everything, life is still long ahead , never give up
Yes, I will never give up. Thank you very much for your answer)
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - plops - Oct 4, 2025
It does get better. Life will give you your chances as long as you stay true to yourself.
If drugs, alcohol and crime is a part of your life, especially at your age, it will be a hard hole to get out of. But it is possible. If you do have those distractions, the best thing to do is grow some balls and leave them behind now.
Best o luck man
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Laughing Man - Oct 4, 2025
The question you have to ask is why are you failing?
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - JoshAllen - Oct 4, 2025
(Oct 4, 2025 07:08 AM)Laughing Man Wrote: The question you have to ask is why are you failing?
He mentioned he felt it was unimportant to him.
Which I understand that feeling, but there is going to be a lot of tasks in your career that feel unimportant.
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Laughing Man - Oct 4, 2025
(Oct 4, 2025 07:23 AM)Tyler™ Wrote: He mentioned he felt it was unimportant to him.
Which I understand that feeling, but there is going to be a lot of tasks in your career that feel unimportant.
No I mean at your core, not just surface.
If you feel like you aren't learning, why aren't you learning.
Are you not challenged by the information? are you better at self research. You need to look further than he has looked for the answer.
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Dick Grayson - Oct 4, 2025
(Oct 4, 2025 07:07 AM)plops Wrote: It does get better. Life will give you your chances as long as you stay true to yourself.
If drugs, alcohol and crime is a part of your life, especially at your age, it will be a hard hole to get out of. But it is possible. If you do have those distractions, the best thing to do is grow some balls and leave them behind now.
Best o luck man
Bro, thank you so much for these words, I needed them.
(Oct 4, 2025 07:08 AM)Laughing Man Wrote: The question you have to ask is why are you failing?
When I come home from school, I immerse myself in independent learning. I enjoy learning IT. Before that, I spent a year doing front-end development, website building, and studying, but then I realized I needed to move on, and my sights fell on cybersecurity. I'm currently studying cybersecurity.
So, I didn't study very much at school.
Thank you very much for your reply)
RE: Failing high school, facing expulsion. Is there any hope for a decent future? - Laughing Man - Oct 4, 2025
(Oct 4, 2025 07:46 AM)Dick Grayson Wrote: Bro, thank you so much for these words, I needed them.
When I come home from school, I immerse myself in independent learning. I enjoy learning IT. Before that, I spent a year doing front-end development, website building, and studying, but then I realized I needed to move on, and my sights fell on cybersecurity. I'm currently studying cybersecurity.
So, I didn't study very much at school.
Thank you very much for your reply)
Highschool Diplomas can be good or bad, but at least get a GED.
I know many with GED who are far superior in knowledge than those with Masters Degrees.