Friends, I have decided. Once a homeschooler, always a homeschooler.
At the beginning of grade 11 and my very first venture into the scary world of public schooled people, I thought that going to "real school" would make me "normal." I thought I'd finally be able to get away from the thousand and one questions, the "wait, do you have friends?", and the patronizing "wow, that's so great for you!" I thought being at public school would make it easier for people not to label me, to see me just as myself. I thought it would make it easier to fit in with non-homeschoolers.
It doesn't. Being homeschooled is part of who I am. It is my normal, it's my way of life, and simply sticking me in a classroom for two years isn't going to change that.
Now that I'm used to the idea, I kind of like the idea that "once a homeschooler, always a homeschooler." I understand why I wanted to get away from it, but now I'm perfectly happy to explain to people that that's what my life looked like for the first 16 years, and what I hope my life will look like someday when I have kids of my own. It's not something I can get away from...people are always asking, wondering why they haven't seen me around the halls before, why I always have my nose in a book, why I *wince* "talk so smart."
(I sat down to write a post titled #homeschoolprobs but it ended up sounding complainey and like I hated public schoolers, which I don't, so I deleted it and started over. But I googled the tag, just 'cuz I was curious, and I found the coolest twitter page with the same name! THIS PERSON KNOWS MY LIFE.)
Are you homeschooled or public schooled? Have you ever asked a homeschooler how they "have friends"? (don't worry, they probably didn't mind.)
xx
Olivia
At the beginning of grade 11 and my very first venture into the scary world of public schooled people, I thought that going to "real school" would make me "normal." I thought I'd finally be able to get away from the thousand and one questions, the "wait, do you have friends?", and the patronizing "wow, that's so great for you!" I thought being at public school would make it easier for people not to label me, to see me just as myself. I thought it would make it easier to fit in with non-homeschoolers.
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It doesn't. Being homeschooled is part of who I am. It is my normal, it's my way of life, and simply sticking me in a classroom for two years isn't going to change that.
Now that I'm used to the idea, I kind of like the idea that "once a homeschooler, always a homeschooler." I understand why I wanted to get away from it, but now I'm perfectly happy to explain to people that that's what my life looked like for the first 16 years, and what I hope my life will look like someday when I have kids of my own. It's not something I can get away from...people are always asking, wondering why they haven't seen me around the halls before, why I always have my nose in a book, why I *wince* "talk so smart."
(I sat down to write a post titled #homeschoolprobs but it ended up sounding complainey and like I hated public schoolers, which I don't, so I deleted it and started over. But I googled the tag, just 'cuz I was curious, and I found the coolest twitter page with the same name! THIS PERSON KNOWS MY LIFE.)
Are you homeschooled or public schooled? Have you ever asked a homeschooler how they "have friends"? (don't worry, they probably didn't mind.)
xx
Olivia
Great post, Olivia. It's so interesting to hear about the experience of going into regular school after being homeschooled your whole life!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of "once a homeschooler, always a homeschooler" :) I really love being homeschooled, and I'm so glad my parents made that decision. But it does have a few down-sides...and I never liked the homeschool label or being treated like I'm different just because I didn't go to regular school. In Ireland, homeschooling isn't a thing. I don't know any Irish homeschoolers! So that was hard at times.
I'm wondering what it will be like in college being an ex-homeschooler? Guess I'll have to find out!
And hahahaha that twitter account is AMAZING!! Story of my life.
DeleteThat's so crazy that homeschooling isn't done in Ireland! That would be so hard, I think. I've always been surrounded by homeschooling friends and family - right now all my cousins are homeschooled as well, so everyone I talk to knows my life and doesn't ask me awkward questions, like "do you actually do school, or just watch tv all day?" I bet that would be hard.
DeleteIf going into college is anything like high school, it'll be kinda fun but kinda weird. :p People will be super curious, but very accepting (although it'll take them a while to stop going "woah, I just can't get over this!") I hope it's good for you!! It wasn't too bad for me.
I'm homeschooled, and I can totally relate to some of this. AND OH MY GOSH I LOVE THAT BOOK. So much. ;) Lovely blog, girl! I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeletemissabbeynoelle.blogspot.com
*hifives homeschooler buddy* That book is one of my favourites, too! I haven't read it in forever. :( Thanks for commenting!! I'm super excited that you like my blog! :)
DeleteYESYESYESYESYES. I graduated 2 years ago, and I was homeschooled my whole life, and it's awesome to just *own it* because it's an amazing part of who you are. Homeschoolers ftw!
ReplyDeleteHey, Olivia. I just found your blog. I am a homeschool graduate, so this post made me smile. There are definitely pros and cons, but you can never get around it, "once a homeschooler, always a homeschooler." : )
ReplyDelete