so... im thinking about going for my ged...?

And before anybody says anything about my grammar and whatnot, I'm typing this on my phone.

Anyways, I'm almost 16, and I've always been extremely intelligent. My IQ is something like 137 and I was nearly a straight A student for the past few years. I've always scored in the 95th percentile for state tests at the very least. I'm usually in 98-99 for math and science, and a bit lower for say, history.

So I should be able to pass high school with honors, and I was on track to do that until I came down with a disabling... head pain that's been constant for a little over a year now. Doctors are baffled because they have no idea what's wrong, and why it won't respond to any medication. I'm not looking for a diagnosis, I'm just looking to have a few questions answered.

As I said before, I'm pretty dang smart, and I've never had problems in school, except now I have this horrendous, disabling headache. I was out since last april, and I've recently started back. I've been in school for 12 days, and I've missed half of them because I just can't function.

I've always had lofty dreams of becoming a productive member of society, maybe a doctor, teacher, or engineer. And while I don't want to give up on those dreams, I'm now behind in high school, and I won't be able to graduate on time unless I take a lot of summer school classes. More than likely, though, ill be in the hospital a good portion of the summer, or maybe travelling to see different doctors.

Basically, I want to live my life and get the future I deserve, but I don't know if getting a ged would hold me back from that. Were I to get one, I would like to continue on with school, going to a jc and then a university. Would I still be able to do that?

I also saw that you must be 18 except under certain circumstances, but I can't seem to find them. Since I am disabled, would those apply to me?

And most importantly, if and when I get this condition under control, would having a ged instead of a high school diploma prohibit me from future opprotunities, even if I went to a junior college?

I forgot to add, I would more than likely get it in arkansas or california. And do you feel there's a stigma of being an underachiever if you have a ged?

RoaringMice2011-04-13T08:23:25Z

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The most important thing is getting control over your health. If that means that you need to get a GED instead of a regular HS diploma, then that's what you do.

Most states do have rules that you have to be X age to get the GED, but they also make exceptions for special circumstances, and yours may be one of those circumstances. But for right now, do nothing. Get through this summer. See the specialist doctors, and find out what the heck is wrong with you. See what you learn by this fall. Then decide your next steps.

Having a GED wouldn't stop you from going to a JC then on to a university. Once you have a college degree, no one cares if you had a GED or a regular HS diploma.