Alright, so you’re new to homeschooling! You’ve prepared for everything, but what about interacting with your former self? A schoolie! (Yes, we have a term for them). What about the typical questions teens are asked by schoolies?
Well, the first thing you need to be prepared for is going out in public. Let’s say you’re out at the shops, and it is 11 o’clock in the morning (most teens should be at school, not you though – you have made the right choice).
“Oh, do you have the day off school?” asks an adult.
Well, get used to it. You are about to be asked that question until you are 18, or if you look young, you have got my pity. So, that’s what the adults always ask, but what about other teens? Here are a few of the questions that you’ll be asked from other schoolies now that you are a homeschooler and below are my answers.
Typical Question 1: What is it like? / Do you like it?
Homeschooling gives me the freedom that I desire allowing me to both train and have a social life. I am not hindered by a set school schedule, such as arriving at school at 8 am and finishing at 3 pm and then do hours of homework. If I want to go out I will simply work a bit earlier or later than I would normally do.
Typical Question 2: How do you learn?
In the first few grades, I was quite reliant on Mum’s teachings. Mum focused on teaching me how to learn for myself so, now that I am in high school it is pretty straight forward. I am with a Distance Education School for my last 2 years and most of the work is online. If I do hit a bump in the understanding I can simply ask Mum or call or email one of the school’s teachers and they will help.
Typical Question 3: Do you have subjects?
Unfortunately, yes. Always have and always will; at least until I finish school. Although I don’t believe I have as many subjects as a schoolie. This would be due to the fact that I am a high-level athlete. As such the school allows some of my training to count towards my credits. I can also study external courses that are relevant to my interests.
Typical Question 4: Do you have assignments and things that are graded?
Yes, of course, I do. Although I still don’t like them. I just do the assignments and send them to my dedicated subject teacher as a draft. I receive feedback and then I hand in the final before the due date. This only started recently, when Mum put me in a Distance Education school. Before that Mum would from time to time do some tests with me so we could both see where I was at.
Typical Question 5: How long does it take?
That’s a really hard question to answer. It depends on what I have on and how hard the subject it. Say, if I am finding Math a bit harder then normal, I might spend a bit longer doing it. But, then I might whip through English, or not do it for the day. At the end of the week, as long as my scheduled work-load is completed no one really cares exactly when I do it.
While you are in a different situation to me, I hope this helps you prepare for the typical questions teens are asked when they arise.
This post shares my experience and opinions only and is not professional advice. Please make your own decisions on what is right for your child and family given your individual circumstances.
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