Listen Now
Who says it’s too late to get your high school degree? Just because you have children, or because you’re older than the average high school student, or you didn’t have enough credits to meet standard graduation, doesn’t mean it’s too late to go after your education. There is always time — and hope.
Never give up!
Tasha Michelle Hayes had a goal and she went after it. She had three children and no man who helped with the support. Her many challenges didn’t dim the promise she made to herself: “I’m going to be something in this life!”
Here’s what she told Reach UP.
Growing up wasn’t the easiest. I watched my mother struggle and try to make ends meet for my sister, brother, and me.
After a couple of moves, I lost interest in school at a young age and dropped out.
I had my first child, Diamond, at the age of 20. It didn’t take long before I feeling depression. I was alone with no one to help me. Diamond’s father was out the picture.
It was very hard to go from being a teenager to a woman with responsibility. I couldn’t do the things a single person could do. I looked for love in a man and that too failed.
To deal with the depression I went to doctors to see if anything could be done for me. They gave me medications. But I still had an empty feeling. Though I always knew who God was, my focus wasn’t on Him.
I wanted to feel love and acceptance. So again I turned to a man. This time I got pregnant with twin boys. We got married and I thought things would work out.
My dream was soon shattered by his controlling and manipulative ways. I learned he was a thief and was on probation. All through our relationship he was in and out of jail and always in trouble. He wasn’t physically abusive but he did verbally abuse me.
He would tell me, “Why you going to school? You need to be at home taking care of your kids and the house!”
All I wanted to do was better myself and help my family. I remember telling my now ex-husband that I wanted to go back and finish my GED. He was so against it.
My Advice
- Surround yourself with positive people. It is not easy, but there is always a way.
- Take out a library card and educate yourself. It’s free.
- Study hard for the text.
In all your ways acknowledge Him; And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6
I contacted a church and they sent me everything I needed to do in order to prepare for the pre-exam and the GED test. I was so excited to start anew.
In 2009 at the age of 26 I completed and passed my GED exam! For once I was so proud of myself. I was still married but, sadly, by the end of the year we divorced.
Meanwhile other things seemed to be going great. I took my first tour to a college and went through pre-RN courses. It felt amazing.
But some cycles were hard to break. I met a man and got pregnant with my fourth child. Depression set in again because now I was alone raising four children.
Everything seemed to be going so wrong, but I was not about to give up.
This time I found God! I knew God hadn’t given up on me, so why should I give up on myself? I may be a single mother with four beautiful children, but that does not stop me from accomplishing my goals in life.
Just because I live in the projects does not mean I won’t make it. Soon I will be the Registered Nurse I dreamed about. Times are still hard, but I continue to push. I want my children to believe in me as I believe in them. It’s good to be able to say that now I have a loving family. At 27 years of age, I am proud of my small accomplishments.
To all women who are struggling and have self-doubt, I want to say, “Take baby steps and go back to school.” If I can do it, so can you. When people look at me, I don’t want them to think I’m just another statistic. I want to be someone. I want to hear them say, “Wow! She’s somebody.”
I am always the one pushing my family to move forward. And now I want to push you! With God on your side, you will be okay. Just lean on Him. He will direct your path.
Helpful tips for getting your high school diploma…
The GED high school diploma program is designed for adults who did not earn their high school diploma in a traditional high school setting. Having your high school diploma or GED is crucial in gaining employment.
The test consists of:
- Writing: The writing test is divided into two parts. The first part of the test consists of 50 multiple choice questions regarding basic English language and grammar, with a time limit of 75 minutes. The second part of the test requires you to write an essay on an assigned topic, with a time limit of 45 minutes.
- Reading: The reading test is a 65-minute test in which you must read poetry and other literary works to answer 40 multiple choice questions.
- Social Studies: You will have 70 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice questions on geography, government policies, economics, and history.
- Mathematics: Some questions on the math portion of the test are multiple choice, and others are not. In a time limit of 90 minutes, you must complete math problems with skills in geometry, basic arithmetic, patterns, statistics, and algebra functions.
- Science: With an 80 minute time limit, you must answer 50 multiple choice questions on physical science, life science, and Earth science.
How do I start?
Visit your local community college or Labor Department and enroll in their GED preparation class. These classes will cover the material you can expect on the test, and you will develop skills that are necessary to pass the GED test. In addition, GED class teachers will reveal study tips to help you pass your GED test.
