Choose Your Path
Just a midnight note to answer so many questions I heard all the time about my school life. What is homeschooling? Why do you choose homeschooling instead of public / regular school? How do you interact socially? Don’t you miss having a normal social life?
Homeschooling was something quite new in Indonesia’s
education program, though it's already pretty common in other countries. It all started 5 years ago when my parents heard about an alternative to not put their kids in usual school, so they did researches of homeschooling and some schools here were starting to support that program. I cannot say if one is better than the
other, for everyone have a different potentials, different needs, not
every kid could be convenient with homeschooling and vice versa.
My parents thought it was a solid idea, and took an extreme step to get all of their kids, me and my two brothers, homeschooled, and we got quite a weird stare from other people. The path I took to not do the conventional learning methods, like homeschooling or not going to college soon after graduating, is still considered a weird concept to some people, or in my case, tend to be looked down to. When they found out that I don't go to public school or college, some relate it with dropping out, and more conservative circle of people even started to worry that I am 'neglecting my education'. A lot of opinions are thrown and none of it fits mine. I do take it as important, and I do not want to take it merely because of peer pressure, as an obligation or just to have a degree behind my name. Just like what my parents believe that homeschooling requires conscious learning and learning only what you're passionate about (and try to be very good at it), I want to take some time to get to know what really intrigues my passion.
As for my homeschool experience, what does it feel like to be homeschooled? Do I socialize at all? Surprisingly, being homeschooled didn’t alienate me. It forced me to get out of my shy-girl shell. All of those free time at home has changed my personality and made me a more outgoing person. My extra supportive parents took charge of putting me to different communities: they drove me to theatre class, to band rehearsals, to concerts, to have a playdate with other homeschooling kids, took me to sewing class, they contributed a lot to the things I'm into, basically being what cool parents are all about. A year after finishing my unusual school years, I have met new friends, learned a lot of new things. I have a normal, or maybe in even wider and wilder range than if I hadn't chose homeschooling in the first place. That's the path I chose. Without all those times I spent in front of my computer, I might have never tried to blog, or started things I am doing now. I might do something else. Who knows. Whatever happens, it teaches me to have that attitude of enjoying every single decision I took and never regretting it, as I believe the time you enjoy wasting are not wasted. :)
As for my homeschool experience, what does it feel like to be homeschooled? Do I socialize at all? Surprisingly, being homeschooled didn’t alienate me. It forced me to get out of my shy-girl shell. All of those free time at home has changed my personality and made me a more outgoing person. My extra supportive parents took charge of putting me to different communities: they drove me to theatre class, to band rehearsals, to concerts, to have a playdate with other homeschooling kids, took me to sewing class, they contributed a lot to the things I'm into, basically being what cool parents are all about. A year after finishing my unusual school years, I have met new friends, learned a lot of new things. I have a normal, or maybe in even wider and wilder range than if I hadn't chose homeschooling in the first place. That's the path I chose. Without all those times I spent in front of my computer, I might have never tried to blog, or started things I am doing now. I might do something else. Who knows. Whatever happens, it teaches me to have that attitude of enjoying every single decision I took and never regretting it, as I believe the time you enjoy wasting are not wasted. :)
♥♥♥
"I enjoy every single decision I took, and never regretting any of them" agree about your post Son (Y)
ReplyDeletemy first giveaway on RimsDaily
ucuuul, i can describe you with a thousand words but uneducated. You're the most admirable and multi talented 19(soon to be20) years old girl i've ever known. as the wisemen said, you need to develop your talents before it's too late. i also admired your parents so much(you know how much i love tante mega lol) , they're the coolest parents you could ever have. My parents are the typical old school family, they forced me to go to the best school in town, the harder the lessons the better it will be. i wish i could pursue my happiness as early as you but anyway, we're living our dreams now! i wish you nothing but the best for your future and i wish those people who look down at you just because you have the guts to pursue your own happiness earlier than the rest of us, could talk to you face to face for an hour or two. *bighug* you need no science class to sing and sociology class to socialize with the coolest people in town. last but not least i miss you so much ucul
ReplyDeletewith the biggest long distance hug,
-your pain in the ass with the same level of craziness as you bestfriend
we choose our own path! yeah i agree with you sonia , let we choose our own path not someone else , enjoy every single decision you took? yeah i know what you feel , and yes we don't have to regret anything :) keep spirit sonia! i agree with you <3
ReplyDeletewhat a great post:)
This is real and This is me ♥
if you choose to be homeschooled then how can you get into university later? can you enlist into SPMB (seleksi penerimaan mahasiswa baru)? homeshcooling it's completely a new concept to me.
ReplyDelete@jacobian: we can always join ujian paket just like public school :)
ReplyDelete@cindy: I MISS YOU SO MUCH TOO! :(
@ add & rimma: thank you girls! :)
people who always look down on people by their education level is the people without education and low knowledge. :)
ReplyDeletewhat a great post sonia!
Nice words and nice share Sonia..:) I love open-minded people and i really respect your parents for being so supportive of their children..:) It's a nice thing to know well what we chose and not regretting it..:D
ReplyDeleteNot all choices is all good and positive, there're always negative side of what we chose, but how we walk in our choice is the one that made our choice feels lighter and right..:d
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Let's see the fact.
ReplyDeleteMany youth in our age (19-20) outside there are still student (including me). Go to campus everyday...
We're nothing without parents. We couldn't make money yet. Our wallet depends on our dad's wallet.
AND YOU?
as a homeschooled girl?
Now, you're working. You have many job. You make your own money. You're succes. Many people inspired by you.
I don't have idea who the hell said that being homeschooled is not good.
Itu pikiran apa sempak anak-anak?
sempit banget.
Well, just for more comparison, kebanyakan pengusaha-pengusaha sukses bukan lulusan universitas. Dan lucunya, kebanyakan PEKERJA/BAWAHAN mereka itu malah lulusan universitas.
Contoh ya...
yang punya Mall-mall besar di Indonesia (misal di Padang) itu bahkan enggak tamat SMA lho. PEKERJANYA ada tuh yang S1 manajemen.
so??
keep it up, Sonn.
Just let that trashy robots talk. They know nothing, I think.
Pada punya kaca nggak sih itu dirumah? Mending kalo mereka lebih sukses ya.. masih masuk akal lah ngerendahin orang kayak gitu ._.
Btw so sorry for my messy english. haha
ReplyDeleteAs a 2nd year university student, I think my english is still a mess X))
I learn english from many blogs, including your blog, soonn. do u believe it?
haha
This is really one inspiring post regarding a field that not many bloggers expose: homeschooling--and it's a great information, thank you.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, i truly agree with what you said that you can't force someone to take one path because there are many alternatives that might match one's needs better. Learning a few critical and cultural studies in my college years, i now know that our education system is flawed, and i'm not talking about Indonesia only, but in other parts of the world as well. Many schools are just stucked with the "old ways", old traditions, and therefore, old perspectives. Girls have to cook, boys have to play sports. It doesn't go all the way around, especially in Indonesia, and it's irrational when you think of it.
Sorry for the superlong comment (i should make a post in a post! haha) but your story makes me wonder, in a good way. Not many bloggers could spark critical discussion.
I'm not homeschooled, by the way.
Cheers from Jakarta,
Putri Soe
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there's nothing wrong with homeschooling student :) don;t listen to them :D
ReplyDeleteanw, don't forget to join my giveaway! :)
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hello kak sonia ^_^ been a follower for a while and i finally post a comment bahahah
ReplyDeletethis post is REALLY inspiring! and i kinda envy you so MUCH like you have this 'freedom' to do and focus on something you like or passionate about. i'm only 15 and i feel so stressed under the pressure of school; choosing IPA/IPS, people's judgement about universitas negeri/swasta, what degree will you choose (and the teachers are expecting Engineering, Mathematics, Architecture.. which I HATE, A LOT), and i can't properly do something i actually like. and i might continue studying 'formally' in college/university; which sounds exhausting and time-wasting to me.
You're almost 20 and you've owned some businesses, make your own money, and most of all, do what actually you like. At that age other girls are probably still dealing with college tasks or thesis.
Those people who said that you're an 'uneducated' person for studying in a home-school, look at you now. At least you enjoy what you do and -well we can't deny- you get paid for it ;)
kak sonia, fighting! :D thank you for being such an inspiration.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewaw. another side of sonia eryka
ReplyDeletehonestly, you are one of some who inspire me in creating a beautiful blog :}
so keep on blogging!
and keep on fighting in this amazing woooooorld!
yeaaay~
hai sonia....
ReplyDeleteu are admireable....dan ga masalah tuh km homeschooled apa regular school...aq uda tau dr pertama buka blog ini...
dan memang agak gatel sama pertanya2an di instagrammu yg nanya "km ga sekolah koq jalan2 terus?"
waktu itu pengen jawab sih...but then I think better u urself answer that "s**ly" questions..
hehehe
keep up the good work preety ;)
Gbu
It's okay to choose homeschooling dear.
ReplyDeleteYou have everything that maybe many people don't have
Are they envy or what? :p
As a teacher who teach home-schooling kids too, I couldn't agree more with you, Sonia... I see my kids with their own talents and interests, I always provide them with different ways to learn based on their talents and interests, but to reach the same goal: to be independent to face and tackle problems, in real life.
ReplyDelete"Every one is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein-
A really nice post :)
Sonia akhirnya mengeluarkan suara, sebelumnya di twitter juga uda sempet di "BANG" in banget soal home schooling.
ReplyDeletesekarang disini punn :"D
thankyou son,
for became such an inspiring to others, especially you gave kinda impact towards me.
Look at you... you don't even graduate from university yet in this young age you could make money, and of course you love what you do that's matter.
so many ppl outthere just stuck in by what their parents wanted them to.
glad for you to had sucha supportive parents!
IM HOME SCHOOLER , same like you i was in senior high school before, for just 2 years and went to home schooling in the third years.
i do have my own reason for it, and expecting that i could be as success as you.
Anyway son, you might do not remember me but
KITA PERNAH BERTEMU SEBELUMNYA SON :"))))
Yeahhh we did, and u also must know that some of my friends were your friends too.
can't believe it huh? i did. im so shocked by first.
ini voto waktu kita sempet ketemuuuu Sonnn, inget gak? Hahahahahahah.
{ http://lilshelullabies.blogspot.com/2012/07/sonia-eryka.html }
-LiLshe. been years followed your blog yet just today i had post a comment in your blog. :D
Sonia akhirnya mengeluarkan suara, sebelumnya di twitter juga uda sempet di "BANG" in banget soal home schooling.
ReplyDeletesekarang disini punn :"D
thankyou son,
for became such an inspiring to others, especially you gave kinda impact towards me.
Look at you... you don't even graduate from university yet in this young age you could make money, and of course you love what you do that's matter.
so many ppl outthere just stuck in by what their parents wanted them to.
glad for you to had sucha supportive parents!
IM HOME SCHOOLER , same like you i was in senior high school before, for just 2 years and went to home schooling in the third years.
i do have my own reason for it, and expecting that i could be as success as you.
Anyway son, you might do not remember me but
KITA PERNAH BERTEMU SEBELUMNYA SON :"))))
Yeahhh we did, and u also must know that some of my friends were your friends too.
can't believe it huh? i did. im so shocked by first.
ini voto waktu kita sempet ketemuuuu Sonnn, inget gak? Hahahahahahah.
{ http://lilshelullabies.blogspot.com/2012/07/sonia-eryka.html }
-LiLshe. been years followed your blog yet just today i had post a comment in your blog. :D
Hello Sonia! I just read this post and to be honest, this post is inspired me and related to my life. After read this post, i made my own (http://bearwiththehat.blogspot.com/2013/01/got-inspired-want-to-inspire-being.html)It isn't about homeschooling, but still related with education issue.
ReplyDeleteit's sucks to be questioned about our decision (especially if it is an unusual ones), but believe that we know what's best for ourself will help us a lot
Good luck for you, and thanks for being one of my inspiration ;)
Regards
if blog has favorite button like twitter, i've pushed it 100 times for this post!
ReplyDeletethis what "taking risk for better change" means, and see..you did it!
stay inspiring sonia :)
this completely answers my questions that i have wondered "why choose homeschooling?" & i think homeschooling is good way or even better than public school.
ReplyDeletethankyou for sharing kak, seriously this is the most inspiring post so far. keep the faith kak, God bless:)
ReplyDeletesuper inspiring post! you are one of those examples which tell people that regular students do not make it any better to homeschooling students ;D
ReplyDeleteLetters To Juliet
at some part, this post is heart-breaking. realizing that it hurts to leave high school. but glad to know you enjoy it, son. good luck and carry on!
ReplyDeleteyeah I never know your real story before & I never know that you was shy. All I know is you're awesome Son! Hopefully I can do like you, live my life on my own path:)
ReplyDelete