Finding A Place to Belong When You Don’t Feel Like You Fit In

If you’re a comic book fan, you may have heard of Scott Summers, Jean Gray, or Henry McCoy. If not, we’ll give you Cliff's notes. As the comic goes, there are teens that have been cast out from their families and society because of their differences as mutants. They struggle to find a place to call home, a place to belong. 

As it turns out, the teenagers are gifted with special abilities that are unique to each one. They battle to keep their abilities under control and use them properly —that is until they meet The Professor, who welcomes them, teaches them, and guides them to live courageously.  This story is not so different from reality, where many young people struggle to belong and to find a home. 

“This story is not so different from reality, where many young people struggle to belong and to find a home. ”

School Challenges Due to Pandemic

Noel started with Grad Solutions during the pandemic, shortly after many schools transitioned to an online format. She had struggled in school before COVID but things got worse because of the transition to online learning. The format of these online classes did not work well. She decided to look for alternative options. Her research online brought her to another school but the format didn’t work out for her. That’s when she was provided the option to attend Grad Solutions and enrolled. 

Finding a School to Call Home

Before enrolling at GS, Noel often felt that she didn’t fit in with other students. She moved during Sophomore year and always felt like an outcast. Things were different at GS. 

The high school dropout recovery program at Grad Solutions worked well for Noel because she was able to do it on her schedule. She could keep her job and also attend EVIT for her medical assistant certification – all while taking classes at GS. 

GS became her “home”, the place where she didn’t feel the pressure to fit in or struggle to keep up. She followed her learning plan to stay on track but there were no hard deadlines, she could finish classes as she was able. 

“The high school dropout recovery program at Grad Solutions worked for Noel because she was able to do it on her schedule. She could keep her job and also attend EVIT for her medical assistant certification...”

Grad Solutions provided an empowering environment and a mentor who would text weekly and send her encouraging quotes. “She kept reminding me that everything would be okay, even though it was hard,” says Noel. 

With all the help and guidance she received, Noel made it to graduation this July! “[Graduation] means that I made it. You walk on the stage and you get your diploma. That means you’re done, you’ve made it,” she stated.

Advice for Students Who Are Struggling

Now that she has finished high school, she can step into her career full-time. She will be working at ASU while attending college. “Without GS, I would not have the grades I have now and would not be able to get into college. I would have struggled a lot,” she says. “If I could go back in time, I would tell someone they should do this program. They can still get the job they want. A diploma opens up a lot of opportunities.” 

Like the comic book characters, students often feel like outcasts, before they attend Grad Solutions. At GS, looking after students’ physical, mental and emotional well-being is part of what we do. We have resource centers and services to help students survive every day-to-day so they can thrive tomorrow.

“At GS, looking after students’ physical, mental and emotional well-being is part of what we do. ”

If you’re an Arizona resident, between 16-21 that is looking for an accepting learning environment, we would love to meet you. Despite the struggles you may have had with school in the past, we can get you on a learning plan and put you on a path to high school graduation. Visit iwantmydiploma.com to learn more. 

To read more student stories like this, visit: https://www.iwantmydiploma.com/blog/category/Student+Stories