I've had many changes and experiences in my life, some for the better but not always. I had my son when I was young (14). I went back to school but was put back a year because of the work I had missed, even though I was home tutored. About two and a half years later, just after taking my mock high school exams (GCSEs) I walked out one lunchtime and never went back - I ran away from home. Leaving my school, my friends, my family. Now, OK, you may not runaway or do anything like that but you may still just decide to drop-out. I would advice against this simply because it can make adult life a bit harder or tougher, especially when trying to gain employment. I wish I had a pound (English currency) for every time I have heard "I wish I was back at school, Enjoy it while you're there - it'll be the best time of your life" (or a similar saying but along those lines). While I was at school I never realised just how true the saying was! I thought the people who said it were just crazy, trying to scare me into doing well in my final grades. I'm now only 28 but I know how true the saying is and I committed the cardinal sin of actually saying it to someone! While you are at school it is a great time (maybe not so great if you are bullied - like I was) but it is still good. When you leave school, you have to go out to work, pay the bills, taxes and also rent or mortgage. Mostly while you were at school others paid these for you, so you could study and most of us never gave it a second thought. If, like me you walk away from final grades it can be quite tough to become employed due to lack of qualifications, of course, you can go back to college and study for them (like I did) but it can take money to gain what you may have from school. I have kicked myself time and time again for just walking away - I was predicted fairly good grades and may have been able to go to university but now that's a dream that past. I have got through life without too many problems but have to work hard to advance over my colleagues who have more final grades and evidence of what they can do than I have. Paperwork and qualifications matter to employers, often leaving people like myself overlooked though I can do many tasks with food, computers and paperwork but I cannot prove it. Please do not make the same mistake as me - stay at school as long as you can and obtain those small but vital final exam grades as it can make a big difference to your adult life, career, house, work and lifestyle. Friends may not be true friends at school but you are most likely to see them more than friends you make as an adult as life always changes and throws a stumbling block in our way. If you really must leave school and are desperate to do so, please think how things will be in five years; will you be that person stacking shelves or a manager? Will you make enough to pay the rent and still enjoy life? Which is more horrid; a few months more of school or struggling through life because you left too early? Give it some serious thought. I didn't but wish I had, we can't ever turn the tables back so although my life is good now it has taken a lot of hard work, determination and courage to make it so. I've also had a lot to apologise to my family for as they tried to help assist me when I was at school, they love me regardless but I am not proud of leaving school early with nothing to my name.