What It Taught Me: Homeschooling

“Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.” – Roger Lwein

I was homeschooled from fourth grade all the way to graduation. The way I did it was not the more conventional/modern way of online schooling but with textbooks upon textbooks. Throughout high school, I just read books and taught myself. I thought this was normal too. But looking back on the past eight years of my life it was quite far from normal.

I thought that my desk or table would break at the weight of all of the books I had to read throughout the semester. I have to admit it was satisfying to see the pile grow smaller as I made my way through the year. Taking on one book at a time. Even though there were some difficult times, I’m very grateful for the experience. It taught me way more than public school, or online school would have ever taught me in the long run.

Problem-solving

It showed me how to asses a problem and find a solution on my own. Gave it me the ability to be an independent thinker, not dependent on others to guide me through every step. 

Self-motivated work ethic

Every single day it was up to me to get my work done, to not slack off, and the preferred option of getting ahead. In fact, I surprised myself and got so far ahead that I ended up graduating midway through my junior year of high school. 

Self-critique 

I had to teach myself, do the work, and then grade it myself. This means that I had to face my faults head-on and not be discouraged but see it as a teaching moment. This was a big hurdle for my perfectionist self to jump over but it was one of the most gratifying things to see myself grow throughout the process. 

Homeschooling showed me that I was capable of way more than I ever thought. I don’t think I would have wanted my childhood schooling to be different in any way, shape, or form. It helped me to strengthen all of the characteristics that make me who I am today. I am forever grateful that my parents made the decision to homeschool my siblings and me.