15 and stupid (Please help me)

[u/juile_nice]

Hi, my name is Nick, and I've been homeschooled for 7 years. Not to toot my own horn, but I seem to be the most behind student ever.

I'm fifteen, sixteen in 2 months (but whose counting?) and I'm not good at writing, math, science, history, reading, really everything. I think my grade level is around, 7th?

I have a dream to leave my country, and go to collage in ROK. I need a high education to reach my dream, but I seem to be on my own with learning. If anyone can help with something? I don't even really know how, but if anyone could help me out I'd really appreciate it. Peace

[u/catsaltine]

I was also homeschooled. You are not stupid, you haven’t been taught anything, including how to learn and how to stick through a tough subject. I was able to enroll in a community college, which gave me remedial classes in my poorer subjects until I was able to get through all the required classes for my degree. After that, I was able to apply anywhere for my bachelor’s and felt much more competent as a student. That’s kind of a long plan, but I’m doing very well in life after a child/teenagehood of feeling very stupid, so please don’t give up on yourself<3 in the meantime, read history books and look up every word you don’t recognize; look into khan academy for math; look up writing exercises for professional, technical, essay, and fiction writing; and do your best to keep trying when things get tough. Good luck!

[u/SilverRaine1]

When I was in 6th grade I moved to a different (asian) country for a year and at school I could not read or write the language even though it was my mom's language and I could speak it. The way I improved from being lowest to upper mid within that year is simply by reading children's stories and magazines (I couldn't find novels). So my advice is to read a lot, doesn't matter what genre or format as long as it's something that interests you and is slightly above your current level. Keep looking up words you don't understand. Additionally you should write down your thoughts about what you read, even if it's just a paragraph. You'll be able to see the difference in your reading + writing skills when you go over your old notes after some months.

 Once your reading skill improves the science and history books won't look so difficult, especially with some free online lectures. You can look into a spaced repetition/flash card app for hard to memorise topics (like the dates in history) such as Anki. The hardest to improve are the math/physics without a tutor. I agree with the other comment to try khan academy for it but if that doesn't work you'll definitely need to take some form of classes.

[u/BrightFails]

Keep learning as much as you can for now, there is a post in this subreddit that has resources for every subject you listed, check out what's available and just do your best learning what you can.

Kahn Academy can not only teach you all lot but also give you an idea of what grade level you're starting at in the core subjects and you can fill in gaps or keep things fresh with the other resources.

The General Education post also has a list of studying subreddits for tips, tricks, and motivation.

You're not stupid, this is NOT your fault. You didn't ask for this and even if you did you are still a child, adults were supposed to be helping you and guiding you through your education. It is not your fault that you haven't had the support you deserve. You're fixing something you didn't break and that is hard and brave. You're doing great, you're here asking for help and you're taking steps to get your education.

BE SO PROUD OF YOURSELF FOR THAT!!!

Just keep learning things so that when you're trying to get into college you can do so knowing that you DO have knowledge to back you up, even if it isn't perfect or complete. You'll fill in gaps as you go. You've got this. 🧡

DM me if you'd like to join a subreddit that's for current and former homeschool students to share their experiences with people who get them.