In my opinion, education is education no matter what form it is in, and while there are many different stereotypes and speculations about each kind, I would like to push them aside and talk about homeschooling in specific. Although, I have most recently joined the homeschooling community, I have been able to accumulate a few tidbits that I am sure my fellow homeschoolers can relate to. So, without further ado, the following points are seven things that all homeschoolers will probably be able to relate to, in terms of what we know to be true.
1. We are just as educated as everyone else.
Just because we do our schoolwork and are taught in our homes, rather than in public or private school, we are not any less intelligent or prone to learning less. We are equally educated, and if anything, it is almost more difficult, because we are surrounded by a familiar setting rather than a classroom setting and sometimes, we are not pushed out of our comfort zone. However, that point taken, it induces us, as homeschooled students to push ourselves and learn as best we can in such conditions. We are still classified as students and atmosphere does not, in case, determine our intelligence level.
2. Nepotism is not involved in our education.
Many times in our homeschooling careers, we have been asked the same question repeatedly and I would like to address it and clear the air for those whom are not sure. They ask me if I get good grades because my parent is my teacher, and though it is a fair question, it is disrespectful to both myself and my parent. There is a fine line between parent and teacher and that is true to my own mother, whom qualifies as a teacher and is a great one at that. I work hard to earn the grades that I do, and they are not a result of my mother/teacher tampering with them just because I am her daughter, because on the other hand, as mentioned before, I am still also her student. In no way is nepotism a part of the educational system that has been set up for me.
3. We are not all anti-social. We do have friends and acquaintances.
Although there have been comments made about how social homeschoolers are, I feel as if clearing the air would help a little. We do actually have friends outside of school that we interact with and are actually quite close with. We are not all antisocial people, nor should our social statuses be determined by our education. Yes, having classmates is a good thing sometimes, because it makes it easier to connect with and keep friends, but having to adjust to no classmates is something that is possible, however surprising that may be.
4. College is still an option, that does not change.
Even if we do not go to what is considered an actual school, college is available, according to the fact that a lot of it is based on our transcript and ACT or SAT scores, as well as our grades and the last time that I checked, all of those things occur, or are affiliated with school in general, which includes homeschool. If we have the adequate grades, scores and transcripts, then what is stopping us from getting into college or applying to one in the first place? Technically, we can still go to college if we want to.
5. Being asked the same questions gets annoying after awhile.
Often times, we hear the same questions repeatedly, about our experience or even more frequently, our reasons and it tends to get a bit frustrating, because while they are usually decent and understandable questions to ask, we shouldn't have to necessarily justify why we are homeschooled or why we think it is the best choice for us. In some cases, it feels good to be asked questions, because it means people are interested, however, after hearing those questions several times, it isn't as flattering.
7. It is difficult for us, too, to stay motivated.
I was once attending a private school in my area and I remember how hard it was to stay motivated to work and turn in work, even in a structured, classroom setting and it is, in fact, the same in school at home. There are distractions, other things that seem more important or more desired to do, even at home. And while it seems like it might be easier for us, in truth, it isn't. It actually encourages us to work harder to stay on task, which could influence how we work later in life, because we still might have distractions, especially in familiar settings.
My point is that homeschooling is what is best for me and I am proud to be a part of such a community and to have the opportunity to even be in school, as some others my age don't have that chance. So, why does it matter how or where I go to school, if I still am learning just the same? We are homeschoolers, whom are still students and we should not have to feel inferior or less than anyone, because we are not. We are equal with those who might go to school in a building that is recognized, even if we do things differently.
