I moved away the day after the 8th grade, moved in with a family and worked for 4 years AM, PM and weekends for room and board and wages and attended HS as well. Grew some cucumbers for a couple years on the side and strawberries for two as well. Cut some popple pulp too. I was one who felt HS was very valuable for me. We had 180 in our 4 grades which was huge compared to our 1-room grade school with 21 kid.

Bryce

I quit when I was sixteen (10th grade) and went to work full time. After several years I got into construction, worked for various companies and eventually started my own general contracting business.

I eventually got my GED only because it was required so I could take college courses to earn my real estate license which I did in order to start my property management business.

I still run both businesses.

I think pushing every kid toward college is a bad idea. Some of us are better off finding our own path. I don't hold a college education in disdain as many do. I respect the effort to do it. I just know its not the path for everyone.

I was pulled out of school when I was 15 by my parents to operate machinery for the family business. Been in operating engineers local 101 for 25 years now. I sometimes regret not going to highschool but I figure I would have done the same either way.

I entered college out of HS. Didn’t do very well and Uncle Sam wanted me to fight for him. Joined the Coast Guard Reserve. Had a 6 year obligation. Made E5 in no time then gave up. Reinlisted and went to a school in my rating and passed the servicewide exam for E-6. Finished college during my reserve years. Eventually applied for a commission. Stayed in 27 years and was finally released at O4.

Had two rewarding civilian careers. I don’t regret going to school. I retired in my 50s. I think my life would have been very different had I taken a different route. My only regret is not studying harder and partying less when I was an engineering major. Had to settle for a liberal arts degree, but I did ok and saved for my retirement, thank God. Wife was an education administrator for 30 years. We are happy and blessed in our 70s now.

Never made a profit trapping but it was good exercise and rewarding.

After retirement I moved to the coast and worked for an old college friend in his seafood business. Hardest work I ever did. Longest hours of any job. Hot and grimy. Loved every minute of it. Outdoors, no phone, no manager, no budget, no reports, and everybody was happy. No degree required.

I would agree with Turtledale that most people I knew that dropped out of high school did so because of drugs/alcohol/ and partying in general. Several are doing time others died from overdoses. I didn't finish college, but never considered not finishing HS. Congrats to you guys who have worked and contributed to your community and family.

"Stead of high school ??????????????????

I had enough credits, except for an English class, to graduate as a junior. My senior year, I took English as well as a couple of shop classes. I got out of school at noon and worked for the city electric department. I paid for everything from my sophomore year on, including car insurance, my clothes and helped buy food for my mom and sister.

In 1965, you couldn't get a good job anywhere. The requirement was if you couldn't pass high school, then you would probably be good at pitching s>>>!

I stuck it out. Hated it. Was working during school. I kept saying to myself " As soon as I get that piece of paper I'm outta here "

Graduation day comes. They have us all lined up alphabetically. I'm in the middle of the pack. My turn comes , I get my diploma. I turned right around and walked out right out in the middle of the ceremony. I could hear the principal's voice falter behind my back as I was leaving calling off the next kids names to get their diploma. Went right out to the parking lot and did a holeshot in my '66 stang as I was leaving.

Now because of people like me , I hear now they give out fake diplomas in some schools so they have control over you till the very end. Real diplomas are mailed to your house later.

I quit and joined the army at 18 took my little brother with me he was 16 my mom signed him in with a phony birth certificate. He had a lot of fun clearing that up a few years ago lol.

I worked 30+ hours a week while I attended high school, then worked 40+ hours a week while in college. I guess I was too dumb to quit school and just work.

I finished high school, worked for our family construction business part time during school, full time in summers. my parents pushed me into college, that lasted a year and a half, after failing many classes and just not wanting to be there, I wanted to work. Finally quit, started putting in applications, and at 20 got a job with a large company driving truck hauling equipment and never looked back, still with the same company 12 years later. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made. Not bad mouthing college, but it ain't for everyone. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today had I continued with schooling and not pursued what I really wanted to do

I worked from 10PM to 6AM for awhile and went to school. I didnt feel like school was benefitting me much. I had no desire for college. When I took the GED test a few months later I had no problem passing it.

I dropped out in 10th grade. I despised high school. But I was a straight A student, except for math. My average in math when I dropped out was 16, lol. I blame it mostly on an AWFUL 9th grade math teacher. But either way, I despised high school, lol. But I wanted to go to college.

At that time, NY had a DUMB law (shocker, right?) that you couldn't take a test for a GED until one full year after dropping out of school. So I worked 2 jobs for a year, then took the test and aced it. Enrolled in community college. I was going into my third and final semester when my high school class showed up at college. Graduated with an associates in 3 semesters.

Moved on to a 4 year school, SUNY UB, but I screwed up and started partying and ended up dropping out.

If I had it to do over again, I'd go to school to be a veterinarian.

Figured I knew more then the teachers so I went to work at 16. Done a fair bit of different things over the years. Sometimes I wished I would of stayed in school but those times are very rare. Lol. Can't say I've ever been hungry or out of work because of it and I've made above average income except during my military years.

Graduated high school in 2000, didn't care much for school but i loved football, went to work for a tree service the summer after graduation then started college that fall. By the following spring I think i had forgotten more than i learned from all the partying. I decided to drop out and went back to work for the tree company for another 10 years. Then was able to start my own tree service in 2010 and have been able to make a good living ever since. Not sure if i would change anything

I quit to go to work after 11th grade to help my mother pay the bills. My father died in 1977. Mom was a nurse's aid.

glad i finished high school so many great times with 3 or 4 great teachers' ag teacher i still think of today sports and friends.