Does anyone else feel like their classes are pointless? As a senior in high school, I’ve found that my classes have become so easy that I’ve started skipping school altogether. Some classes seem like the biggest waste of time; for instance, in my theater class, we just sit in the auditorium until it’s time to leave. All my classes seem to follow this same pattern of sitting and listening to teachers share personal stories that we don’t care about.
The main issue is that attending classes feels meaningless when all the work is assigned online. There’s no real reason to be in class, except to meet attendance requirements. I’ve missed about 30 classes this quarter, yet I’m still passing everything. For example, in my weight training class, you automatically receive a 65% just for enrolling, regardless of attendance. So, what’s the point? In my other classes, teachers just talk about their subjects and then tell us to open our laptops and work on assignments, which I could easily do from home.
I think modern schooling is seriously flawed because of technology, especially with how easy it is to cheat on assignments. Ever since ChatGPT became available, I’ve used it for almost every class, and it’s incredibly effective if you know how to ask the right questions. I can’t even remember the last time I completed an assignment without AI, yet I still maintain a 3.4 GPA.
On a somewhat related note, I’ve noticed that many students at my school, despite showing up to class, often lack critical thinking skills and common sense. Listening to my peers’ conversations in class sometimes makes me question whether they can think for themselves. I recently learned that only 10-15% of people truly have self-awareness, and I see this more and more every day, especially in school. When I’m around my classmates, I sometimes feel myself slipping into a mindset of not thinking critically and just going along with the crowd. I suspect that the prevalence of drugs in high school contributes to this; it’s rare to walk into a bathroom without hearing someone vaping in the stall next to me.
Because of all this, I’m hesitant about attending college. I fear it will be just like high school.
I totally get where you’re coming from. It can be really frustrating when you feel like your classes don’t provide any real value or engagement, especially when technology makes it so easy to find information and complete assignments without much effort. It sounds like you’re stuck in a pretty uninspiring situation, where attendance feels more like a box to check than an actual opportunity for learning.
It’s interesting to hear your perspective on the lack of critical thinking and self-awareness among your peers. That can definitely add to the feeling of disconnection in school. High school is supposed to be a time for exploration and growth, but if it feels like everyone is just going through the motions, it can be disheartening.
While I understand your skepticism about college, there are opportunities out there that might provide a different experience—more hands-on learning or environments that encourage discussion and critical thinking. Have you considered looking into programs that focus less on traditional lectures and more on interactive or experiential learning? Sometimes, finding the right fit can make all the difference.
Ultimately, it’s okay to feel disillusioned, but I encourage you to think about what you genuinely enjoy and what your passions are. That might help you find a path that keeps you engaged, whether that’s through further education, vocational training, or exploring your interests outside of school. You deserve to feel like what you’re doing has meaning!