Stuck in school and can't move forward. Ideas Please???

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kLeighm
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

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Joined: 1 Dec 2013
Age: 47
Gender: Female
Posts: 3

03 Dec 2013, 6:49 pm

Hi- I'm 34 years old, female, and have a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology, which I received in 2005.

No one expected me to go to college- my family was simply happy that I graduated from high school. I had a GPA of 1.7

When I was 21 I was diagnosed High Functioning Autistic- or as having Asperger's Syndrome- and the same psychiatrist started me on ADHD meds as well.

I was suddenly able to concentrate in class, they made accomodations for me through the disability center on campus for testing, and my GPA jumped up- I went from a D average to a B average. My cumulative GPA never recovered, but when I graduated, it was respectable- it was a 2.8.

I started a graduate program and was an RA (graduate research assistant) as well as a TA (teaching assistant) back in 2006 and then again in 2009, but was unable to complete because despite my intelligence, I simply cannot complete the necessary math section of the GRE (graduate requirement exam), nor can I do a variable statistical analysis for the research based papers I am supposed to write for my master's degree or Phd.

I basically started pre-algebra when I was in the 6th grade at age 11- I was the top of my class for everything. Reading, science math, etc.
But then I stayed there.

Pre-algebra in elementary school.
Pre-algebra in Jr. High.
Pre-algebra in High School.
Pre-algebra in College.

I was stuck (am currently stuck) and cannot go beyond my current degree program because of it.
After seeing a TED presentation by Temple Grandin, I realized that the problem may lie in my Asperger's Syndrome- but it doesn't make me any less angry and frustrated about the situation.

I don't currently work, and I don't go to school- I am on disability. I am disappointed and sad- the one thing that I thought I was good at- learning things- obtaining and storing knowledge- I can't do that any longer. I feel useless and unhappy. And I know of no way out- taking out student loans would be unethical, as I don't plan on working afterwards and I cannot pay them back.

Any ideas are welcome.