I have a question: I'm a physician and I was wondering if you think you could get into medical school from being unschooled. Medical school takes a very serious look at your grades in biology, math and English. They obviously look at other things, but you need to be literate and able to do measurements and chemical equations. So if you wanted to be a doctor, do you think you could pass the MCAT and get in?
@hannabthemd I have absolutely no desire to become a doctor, but an unschooled friend (who started college at 16) is considering taking that route, and I have absolutely no doubt she could! The knowledge needed to get into medical school can be learned outside of school, and many unschoolers who want to go on to college or university do take their SAT or similar, so a medical school can look at that the same way they could for a schooled student!
I used to be in school but I left just under 2 years ago, and I'm curious if you are also an ex-school pupil, and if so, what made you want to leave?
Was it bullying or mediocre resources or just a general feel of 'wrongness'? Like, did the whole idea of school seem a little flawed and did you want something different?
Personally, I left because of bullying and mediocre teaching staff/resources.
@BozzyxThexScizor I'm a lifelong home learner (I don't count the bit of Kindergarten I went to! :-P), so can't really answer this question! I can say I really admire those who choose to leave school, as you did. I don't know if I would have had the guts had I been in that position!
I'm curious as how you are able to learn about subjects that are very abstract and complex such as physics, calculus and biology ( science subjects in general ). These subjects are very difficult even if you have a teacher by your side to help answer your questions.
@sinnielee7 This is what I've been trying to find out from various unschoolers on YouTube but I never get a response. I'm in university and have studied Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Physics, Finite Math, etc. ontop of completing a Music degree. I can say with certainty that people I know who had A's in science courses in highschool are struggling hard to get B's in university, so I don't realistically see how unschoolers could do any better without a science foundation.
@jazzmatik But who am I to say that they don't get the foundation on their own? I really don't know, but I would love to meet an unschooled medical, law, or engineering student.
I usually call myself an unschooler, but I attend a public high school for two hours a day.I also take classes online. However, I am a strong believer in the philosophies of unschooling, and I only go to school to fit the requirements I need to be involved in a program in which I get financial benefits for college, and I get to help in an elementary school classroom (working with kids is something I'm interested in).
In your opinion, would I still be considered an unschooler?
I usually call myself an unschooler, but I currently go to a local public high school for two hours a day. I also take high school classes online.
I do this so I can fit the requirements I need to be involved in a program in which I get financial help for college, and I get to work in an elementary school classroom. (I love working with kids and hope to have a future it).
Would I still be considered an unschooler by your standards of what "unschooling" is?
From what I've read so far about unschooling, it sounds like most of your learning was initiated by your own personal interests. Do you find that you have weaknesses in certain subjects because you never found them interesting? If so, what subjects? For example, if you never really had any interest in math, are you terrible at math? Or did something eventually motivate you to sit yourself down and study math in order to fulfill other personal goals? Thanks!
GOOD QUESTION HERE :D - How did your parents circumvent state law requirements for having to know certain curriculum? or how did your parents ensure you would know that basic curriculum?
did you have to jump through any yearly state evaluation hoops to be able to continue unschooling? if so, do you think this is constitutional? do you think compulsory education is constitutional? any regulation of the child's education by the state? what would happen if you sort of civilly disobeyed the state requirements for home education? do they come to your house and take you away? : )
Do you test yourself in unschooling like creating a huge set of questions or do you think testing is unnecessary? For example when I take a test in school I normally blank out because I am nervous about failing.
@Eldel15 No, I never tested myself. I wrote this about testing a little while ago: "I’m not a fan of testing, and do not believe it’s an accurate judge of either intelligence or competency. Is it a useful tool in some situations? Probably, but I believe the way testing is implemented right now, as the be all and end all of schooling, and as the ultimate judge of a persons intelligence, skills, competency, etc. is ridiculous."
Hi Idzie! I strongly support your views on a real education known as unschooling, and my mom's going to start learning about it. What would you recommend that could possibly make my mom say yes to unschooling and brightening my future? Thank you so much!
@reversededges25 I can't believe I waited this long to answer this question!! I got really swamped by life away from my computer... I'm going to send you a list of unschooling resources (via DM since I can't post links in comments) that you and your mom might find useful.
I have a question. Do you, as an unschooled person, have problems with procrastination. One theory is that procrastination stems from a controlled childhood. And by procrastination I don't mean not wanting to do things you don't want to do, I mean not doing things that you do want to do.
Let's say children are like seeds. In order to grow into good people, they don't need to be *forced* to grow, because they do that naturally. But that said, a seed must be planted in fertile soil, in the right climate, and must be watered, etc. What if some kinds of media today threaten the minds of the young- for example, television which provides immediate satisfaction but gives no decent returns in the long run may be more compelling than a book.
My opinion is that if kids have less manufactured entertainment stimuli they are forced to use their imagination to invent their own games, stories, etc. But because of the exponential growth of media, it is getting harder and harder to give children a world which does not numb their minds and imagination.
And yet- this brings up two competing ideas about freedom: should we free the child in the immediate moment, by imposing no limits on how they spend their time; or can we control their environment so that they are more likely to build their imaginations and judgements?
I tried answering this question in a video, but I was having trouble getting my opinions across in that format, so I decided to answer your question in a blog post instead! YT won't let me post the link in this comment, so I'll just DM it to you.
One of the things I suspect compulsory public, and a lot of private, schooling causes is procrastination, since children are forced to study whether they want to or not and whether they're interested in the topic or not, rather than allowed to study their own interests as they desire. My question is - do unschoolers frequently run into problems with procrastination and if and when they do, how do they deal with it?
look up 9/11 was an inside job, and the bilderberg group, they wont teach that in school! lol
billholb1974 1 year ago
I have a question: I'm a physician and I was wondering if you think you could get into medical school from being unschooled. Medical school takes a very serious look at your grades in biology, math and English. They obviously look at other things, but you need to be literate and able to do measurements and chemical equations. So if you wanted to be a doctor, do you think you could pass the MCAT and get in?
hannabthemd 1 year ago
@hannabthemd I have absolutely no desire to become a doctor, but an unschooled friend (who started college at 16) is considering taking that route, and I have absolutely no doubt she could! The knowledge needed to get into medical school can be learned outside of school, and many unschoolers who want to go on to college or university do take their SAT or similar, so a medical school can look at that the same way they could for a schooled student!
catzie690 1 year ago
I used to be in school but I left just under 2 years ago, and I'm curious if you are also an ex-school pupil, and if so, what made you want to leave?
Was it bullying or mediocre resources or just a general feel of 'wrongness'? Like, did the whole idea of school seem a little flawed and did you want something different?
Personally, I left because of bullying and mediocre teaching staff/resources.
The school was terrible.
BozzyxThexScizor 1 year ago
@BozzyxThexScizor I'm a lifelong home learner (I don't count the bit of Kindergarten I went to! :-P), so can't really answer this question! I can say I really admire those who choose to leave school, as you did. I don't know if I would have had the guts had I been in that position!
catzie690 1 year ago
I'm curious as how you are able to learn about subjects that are very abstract and complex such as physics, calculus and biology ( science subjects in general ). These subjects are very difficult even if you have a teacher by your side to help answer your questions.
sinnielee7 1 year ago
@sinnielee7 This is what I've been trying to find out from various unschoolers on YouTube but I never get a response. I'm in university and have studied Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Physics, Finite Math, etc. ontop of completing a Music degree. I can say with certainty that people I know who had A's in science courses in highschool are struggling hard to get B's in university, so I don't realistically see how unschoolers could do any better without a science foundation.
jazzmatik 1 year ago
@jazzmatik But who am I to say that they don't get the foundation on their own? I really don't know, but I would love to meet an unschooled medical, law, or engineering student.
jazzmatik 1 year ago
I usually call myself an unschooler, but I attend a public high school for two hours a day.I also take classes online. However, I am a strong believer in the philosophies of unschooling, and I only go to school to fit the requirements I need to be involved in a program in which I get financial benefits for college, and I get to help in an elementary school classroom (working with kids is something I'm interested in).
In your opinion, would I still be considered an unschooler?
TKDshadow7 2 years ago
QUESTION ABOUT YOUR OPINION :)
I usually call myself an unschooler, but I currently go to a local public high school for two hours a day. I also take high school classes online.
I do this so I can fit the requirements I need to be involved in a program in which I get financial help for college, and I get to work in an elementary school classroom. (I love working with kids and hope to have a future it).
Would I still be considered an unschooler by your standards of what "unschooling" is?
TKDshadow7 2 years ago
From what I've read so far about unschooling, it sounds like most of your learning was initiated by your own personal interests. Do you find that you have weaknesses in certain subjects because you never found them interesting? If so, what subjects? For example, if you never really had any interest in math, are you terrible at math? Or did something eventually motivate you to sit yourself down and study math in order to fulfill other personal goals? Thanks!
Kidsync 2 years ago
GOOD QUESTION HERE :D - How did your parents circumvent state law requirements for having to know certain curriculum? or how did your parents ensure you would know that basic curriculum?
brokendave 2 years ago
did you have to jump through any yearly state evaluation hoops to be able to continue unschooling? if so, do you think this is constitutional? do you think compulsory education is constitutional? any regulation of the child's education by the state? what would happen if you sort of civilly disobeyed the state requirements for home education? do they come to your house and take you away? : )
TheOtherCounselor11 2 years ago
Do you test yourself in unschooling like creating a huge set of questions or do you think testing is unnecessary? For example when I take a test in school I normally blank out because I am nervous about failing.
Eldel15 2 years ago
@Eldel15 No, I never tested myself. I wrote this about testing a little while ago: "I’m not a fan of testing, and do not believe it’s an accurate judge of either intelligence or competency. Is it a useful tool in some situations? Probably, but I believe the way testing is implemented right now, as the be all and end all of schooling, and as the ultimate judge of a persons intelligence, skills, competency, etc. is ridiculous."
catzie690 1 year ago
Hi Idzie! I strongly support your views on a real education known as unschooling, and my mom's going to start learning about it. What would you recommend that could possibly make my mom say yes to unschooling and brightening my future? Thank you so much!
reversededges25 2 years ago
@reversededges25 I can't believe I waited this long to answer this question!! I got really swamped by life away from my computer... I'm going to send you a list of unschooling resources (via DM since I can't post links in comments) that you and your mom might find useful.
catzie690 1 year ago
I have a question unrelated to unschooling. It's about green anarchy.
Simple, help me understand green anarchy, how would people live if everyone were to adopt green anarchy as a lifestyle?
Mastikator 2 years ago
I have a question. Do you, as an unschooled person, have problems with procrastination. One theory is that procrastination stems from a controlled childhood. And by procrastination I don't mean not wanting to do things you don't want to do, I mean not doing things that you do want to do.
shelly8510 2 years ago 2
Wonderful to see you again, Idzie!
I've got a question (something that's been in my head for a while)-
MetaCraken 2 years ago
Let's say children are like seeds. In order to grow into good people, they don't need to be *forced* to grow, because they do that naturally. But that said, a seed must be planted in fertile soil, in the right climate, and must be watered, etc. What if some kinds of media today threaten the minds of the young- for example, television which provides immediate satisfaction but gives no decent returns in the long run may be more compelling than a book.
MetaCraken 2 years ago
My opinion is that if kids have less manufactured entertainment stimuli they are forced to use their imagination to invent their own games, stories, etc. But because of the exponential growth of media, it is getting harder and harder to give children a world which does not numb their minds and imagination.
MetaCraken 2 years ago
And yet- this brings up two competing ideas about freedom: should we free the child in the immediate moment, by imposing no limits on how they spend their time; or can we control their environment so that they are more likely to build their imaginations and judgements?
MetaCraken 2 years ago
I tried answering this question in a video, but I was having trouble getting my opinions across in that format, so I decided to answer your question in a blog post instead! YT won't let me post the link in this comment, so I'll just DM it to you.
catzie690 2 years ago
One of the things I suspect compulsory public, and a lot of private, schooling causes is procrastination, since children are forced to study whether they want to or not and whether they're interested in the topic or not, rather than allowed to study their own interests as they desire. My question is - do unschoolers frequently run into problems with procrastination and if and when they do, how do they deal with it?
Stargazer5781 2 years ago 5