This is gonna be the first post I've posted for a while. It's good to be back after a couple of years. Anyway

So, I'm currently 15, a sophomore in high school, and I'm failing half my classes. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety, both have gotten worse, and a couple of months ago I got out of a failing relationship. School hasn't exactly made things easy either. Counselors do nothing to help. Whenever I ask for make up work or extra credit the teachers just shrug and continue sipping on their diet coke and watching netflix on their computers. I've literally had to go up to the teacher assistant (my school has this thing where as an elective during junior and senior year you can be a teacher assistant, which basically means you grade all the papers and do all the boring work that the teacher's don't wanna do while they continue watching netflix) to ask where she kept the make up work. He showed me an unlabeled filing cabinet in the back of the room that she has never mentioned. To be completely fair, I do sleep in class a lot... BUT I did put in effort previously. I use to be an AB student. Last year I had a 3.625 gpa, even while still in the relationship and dealing with anxiety and depression. I honestly didn't wanna focus on my classes for this long, it's kinda irrelevant to this whole post, so I'm gonna hurry up and get to the point.

So, me and my friend have been looking into alternatives recently. I did the math, including cost of living, taxes, insurance, etc. If we both got full time minimum wage jobs in our state and Nebraska (where we hope to move), we would be able to afford to live in a nice little two bedroom apartment. I don't really care about living in a big house or whatever. I don't even care about having money. My friend also has this trusted friend who's moved to Nebraska. He's currently in college working on his Bachelor's degree in computer programming since he's a few years older than us. He suggests that we move in with him. I'm not putting all my trust into that since I don't really know the guy all that well, but it would definitely help us a ton.

Anyway, I've been considering dropping out recently. The stress of school has made my anxiety and depression worth. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it or anything, school has been (a bit too much detail, I should probably put it in a spoiler) Before anyone asks, yes, I have been seeing a therapist. I'm currently off medication since the last one wasn't working, but my parents plan to get me a psychiatrist appointment soon. Anyway, my parents haven't exactly been fond of me wanting to drop out. A couple months ago I mentioned the idea of taking online classes (honestly an unresearched and stupid idea) since I thought they'd be easier than high school. They completely flipped on me, and called it "dropping out" rather than seeing it as an alternative. If I tried actually dropping out, I'd predict that they would try everything in their power to take away my ability to drop out despite it seeming to be completely legal. I've looked into alternatives recently, mainly getting a GED to qualify for most jobs that pay more than minimum wage. I've always thought you had to be 18, but it turns out you can get an age waiver and get an exception accepted from the state in most states. I never knew this. Any thoughts? Recommendations?

I got my GED at 16 years old. I went to four different high schools that is how bad it was for me. I'd get in fights, I'd get suspended and expelled and then one day I said this was enough for me. I got my GED and got the hell out of there and went on to college shortly after at the age of 17.

Don't listen to your parents. It's a different world today then it was in the past. You can learn far more on a computer then you can in any classroom. You have unlimited knowledge at your fingertips. Plus, online school is WAY better for someone with anxiety and depression. I'd know because I did just that and been through it all.

If your parents are insistent that you stay in high school it could lead to worse things happening considering what you have said about the depression, anxiety and self harm. If they don't understand that then I feel sorry for you because who else is going to listen or believe it besides a therapist? I think what you should do is get your therapist to agree with you that an alternative education is best for you considering your problems with depression and anxiety.

I think I've heard about this before. However, I would recommend getting your Diploma over a GED, as most employers tend to prefer a Diploma over a GED if all they require is a completion of general education, and no trade specific certification / training, or college education. 

I won't lie.  I hire people professionally.  If I see "GED" instead of a "high school diploma," that resume or CV or application is going in the trash.

Sure, you can get a GED at a younger age.  Or you can stick out high school and figure out coping methods.  The real world gets a lot tougher.  If you struggle getting through high school and you can't figure it out, you're in serious trouble for what lays beyond.

And, if you're 16 and done with school, now what?  What do you do with your time?  Just waste it on video games without improving yourself or learning to function in the world?

I'm curious.  What happens next?

I really didn't know that, my mother got her GED at 18 so I doubt she knows that either. Gonna need to tell her for some quick facts to tell her.

Sorry for my extremely late reply, I don't use this site often. But I planned to get a full time minimum wage job until I am no longer a minor.

I don't really know a lot about GEDs and stuff like that but is it really on the same level as a diploma? I see a lot of people below saying that it's not.

High school is probably one of the easiest parts in life. If you stick with it goes by very fast. Everyone goes through rough patches where they don't think they will be able to do something, myself included. Quitting seems like the best option at the time but when you think about the consequences and think about how this may affect you in the long run it may have a huge impact and it may fill you with regret when you're older.

You're still young and you may not see that this might not be the best decision.