Way back when, when I attended high school I thought it was a waste of time. I really just wanted to drop out and start working. Of course my parents wouldn't let me. So, I continued going until I Barely passed. To tell you the truth I think I'm lucky I passed.

Also, while i was in high school I did terrible in ALL my classes. I got D's and F's in everything EXCEPT Auto and woodshop. IN those two classes I always had A's.

ONe of the funniest things I could remember was that it took me 3 tries to pass my algebra math class. All my teachers thought that I was gonna be a bumb after High School. Well I proved them wrong!!

I;m 23 years old, I own my own business, and lets just say I make enough money to have a 3000 square foot house, a $28,000 Bronco, a FOrd P71, and a 2003 F-350 Dually Powerstroke.

By the way, I never went to college or a Tech School, I am what you would call Gifted when it comes to cars.

So in my opinion HIgh School is a waste of time!!!

 

it just depends on who you are.
I just had an interesting conversation about this.

I figure I can go to college and get any degree I want, cause I m pretty smart, or so they say, but what I really want is to build houses for the rest of my life.

 

"Knowledge is Power"

There is more to school than Math,English,etc.

There is social conditioning,respecting authority,respecting other's, etc

 

"Yea, a mind is a terrible thing......" John Revolting

I have NEVER met anyone that was too smart. Life is a constant learning experience, and high school is where you really get the fundamental skills to continue. These skills aren't neccessarily absolutes, but the ability to learn, be flexible, and process all the information at hand. The experience is as valuable as the 3 R's.....

 

I'll have to agree with Dennis on this one.

Let me add this:

I think the most important skills a person can be taught is:

#1 How to swim
#2 How to read
#3 How to add and subtract
#4 How to ride a bike

Here are my reasons. Swimming is pretty much a no brainer. If the person can swim, that person can bet him/herself out of trouble (ie sinking boat). Reading is also very important because once you know how to read, you can quite easily teach yourself everything you want to know. Adding and subtracting is extremely important when dealing with money, expecially your money. Ever been at a checkout in a store where you know your change before the cashier does? As for riding a bike, well, that probably doesn't need to be there, but it's not something you can learn by reading a book.

As for the whole "is high school important" question, I think it is, but it also depends on where you want to go. By the time some people figure out where they are going after high school, it's too late to get their grades caught up. I think the more important issue is to do well in high school from grade 8 through grade 12 to maximize your post secondary possibilities, if you wanted to go that route.

 

Yes.......stay in the gov. training centers so you will learn to be good little tax payers

 

So you are an uneducated good mechanic who was not good in school. Why would anyone give credence to your opinions on education? I am truly glad that your craft allows you to make a good living, but I must disagree with the message you are sending.

 

Good point Dono.

I know that not everyone can be good in school, but not everyone can be a mechanic. And to tell you the truth I have run into ta lot more incompetent mechanics because they didn't go to school.

 

Well, I'm DEFINATELY not trying to send a message to younger people to drop out of high school. Personally, I think if you have a trade that you are EXTREMELY good at, well I say pursue it by any means necessary. The people that dont have trade skills, sorry to say that those are the ones that will be stuck behind a desk and pushing paper. Though some of them do make good money.

Again I;m not trying to suggest anything to anyone, Im just looking for opinions.

Also im not a Grease Monkey. My shop deals with higher end vechicles like Lincoln, Mercury, Newer Ford trucks/cars. Though I do get the occassional guy that brings in the old clunker. THose cars do require you to get a bit greasy!!!

 

What a minute, I thought the term Grease Monkey was the saying for an automotive mechanic. No matter how dirty or old, you're going to get greasy with it. I can't tell you how many times I have soaked his clothes after working on our vehicles.

Wouldn't higher end cars be something more like: BMWs, Porche, Jags, Lexus and Mercedes? Maybe it's because I'm in California. Up here, we see alot of these cars everywhere. It's seldom you see "clunkers" anymore. I guess it depends where you live.

I don't think high school was a waste. As you mature, you are taught responsibility and reliability (homework and being on time in class). You are taught how to take care of yourself (dress codes). Most of all, respect for your boss (teacher). When you get in trouble (pink slip). I think that get's my opinion across.

Overall, I'm glad I earned my diploma. I think it benefits you best by knowing you reached an achievement in your life. I look at it this way, twelve years of school, and what do you have to show for?

That's good to hear that you own your own business. When I took a big questionnaire in high school, it was supposed to give you ideas of what you'd do well in at a job. Me? I was going to be good with my hands, like a mortician (yuck), or doctor. But, I work with animals. I made a name for myself, have a high reputation around here, and get paid higher than this field normally pays. It took me 15 years to get to this point though. There are alot of things to learn with animals.

The funniest thing is, my father now wants me to move to his area, so I can help do drywall repair with him. It was my night job after school, and weekends. This 17 year old girl (me) was mudding, texturing, and painting houses. I did this 12 years ago, and would love to learn his trade. Why? Because I want to expand my knowledge, and maybe this is MY true calling.

You never stop learning, is my motto.

 

Yes it is important.

 

If high school is not important, then the same logic can be used about junior high. Just keep moving down to first grade. Pretty soon we will have a voting population that selects a President based on his smooth voice or how he parts his hair. It is kind of becoming that way now but don't get me started.

 

IMHO dropping out of high school is setting yourself up for a lifetime of frustration.

sure you can get a job and make a living. but its not very often that you will see people without an education further thier life financially.

 

I didn't think HS was that important, but you should in no way drop out of it. Just stick on through to the end. I just finished HS last year, and HATED every day of that school. Now that I'm in college, it's a little better.

 

Statistically 20 % of the jobs in the US require a bachelor's degree or higher, 65% of the jobs require post high school education and training but less than a bachelors degree (these are often the technical careers) and only 15% of the jobs require only a high school diploma (hamburger technician for example, and that number is declining!)

Go ask the high school drop out who even has trouble getting a miimum wage job if high school is important! Unless you want to live in poverty or on welfare, then education (the right education! see this thread - Bachelor's Degree Now Meaningless ( 1 2 3 4 ) is very important. While you may not realize it, you are learning valuable skills (both academic, social, and employability skills) while in high school.

By the way, I wouldn't take my vehicles to any mechanic that was not ASE certified and not very many high school drop outs can achieve that certification!