Student Stories
Ashley “It’s not that I didn’t care. I wanted to care.” Ashley is describing the environment in her previous school -- and the impact it had on her ability to learning. “With the amount of people I was surrounded by, it felt like the world was spinning," she says. "My anxiety went through the roof. It made me want to sleep all day. The amount of stress was just too much. I just wasn’t motivated. I literally felt like I might pass out from the number of people around me. I started losing hope." At Commonwealth, Ashley found a more agreeable school environment, one in which she felt like she could thrive. "At this school, there are fewer people. The atmosphere is smaller, and much less stressful. I’m comfortable here.”
Ashley also says the more manageable workload and personal approach to learning is very appealing. "There's no homework, and that really caught my attention," she says. "And being able to work at my own pace." Her experience at Commonwealth helped alleviate Ashley's anxiety, making it possible for her to focus on her studies and begin making real progress. She also values the caring, individualized attention. “If I have questions, I have 1:1 help right away, instead of waiting," she explains. "In a typical English class at a traditional school, where there's 40 other students, I felt like I was slowing everyone down if I asked a question. And that everyone would look at me like I'm dumb," she says, shaking her head. "Here, I can ask question and not worry about what other people are going to think. That alone has helped me finish something in, say, one week that would have taken me a month to do at my old school." For anyone considering Commonwealth, Ashley emphasizes that it’s a personal choice. “Look at the pros and cons for you," she advises. "You need to be prepared to work independently. When there are no due dates, it’s up to you what you do with it." Ashley then sits back and in a calm a calm, relaxed voice observes: "For me? This school is amazing. The best school I’ve ever been to.”
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