News Flash: Skipping Grades is Really Not That Bad
By R’Nasia Murphy. Photo from FTPA Instagram (ftp_titans).
MAR. 19, 2019: Many parents tell me that the decision to skip their child is a big one. I can see why— students who skip are forced to be with older kids, be influenced by them, developing the fear they’ll be put behind because of the material they hadn’t been able to learn and many other reasons. I understand that parents fear that their child will leave the house far faster and not experience things other kids have been able to experience. Even though some parents may be delighted by this, many are scared by this possibility. I am a person who was skipped—I didn’t go to seventh or eighth grade. Was I affected by this change? I was with people who were two years older, wasn’t I?
News flash, it wasn’t much different. I am, in particular, a fast learner. I got the material at the same time, and most times before my older peers. It was a thrilling experience, and I am sincerely happy I made this decision. I am also very happy my mother allowed me to skip to the position I’m in now. I learned a lot about myself by being around the people I call friends, which I wouldn’t have, or at least would’ve learned much later on in life about myself. It didn’t feel like I was missing any content, and if I did it was very few times. I was on a new playing field with everyone else. I was learning when they were learning. But, did I feel like I was missing out?
News flash, I didn’t experience any of seventh or eighth grade. I don’t feel reminiscent or left out of something I didn’t even get to experience. I do feel jealous that my peers get to converse and stay together, and I’m not as close to them as before, but I feel indifferent about this. I may feel overwhelmed by the work and college classes, but again, I’m very happy to be where I am right now. To be honest, I don’t know where I’d be if I wasn’t in the tenth grade. I have so many opportunities and feel so happy that it’s unbelievable.
News flash—skipping can be the best and worst time of your life, if you get the opportunity to be skipped. It’s so worth it.
R’Nasia Murphy is a 10th grade scholar at Friendship Technology Preparatory Academy.