School Anxiety

[Xara]

So I know there's already a topic about school posted already, but this ones a bit different.

I go back to school on September 6th, and it'll be my first year of high school. My school anxiety is already starting up, and I'm not sure if it's the idea of going back to school, or seeing somebody that I really don't want to see there.


For those of you who have/had school anxiety too (or maybe just anxiety in general), do you have any tips on how to cope with the anxiety? Or maybe even any tips on how to tackle high school -- it's always hard going back to school after summer, but it'll be even harder for me, with it being high school and all and the fact that I'm going to have to see an ex-friend of mine.

 

[AnimalCrossingPerson]

Assuming you're in America, I think the school system is a bit different there to here in the UK, so I have no idea what's what to be honest.

Just think of it as an exciting new place though. Yes, you'll get trampled in the corridors but at least the work isn't hell until the third the third year, at which it slowly gets worse and worse for the rest of your educational life. Fun, huh?

- - - Post Merge - - -

What I'm saying is, enjoy it whilst it's enjoyable! You'll meet some new friends (and enemies) too, so it's all good.

 

[Licorice]

The only thing that ever helped me with new school years was music. I know that probably sounds dumb but listening to music before school always made me feel a little better.

 

[Avocado LaSchaap]

You probably won't see this ex-friend as much as you think. There are lots of different classes and you might not share any. Honestly, in my experience, animosity in high school just tends to fizzle out really quickly. You go your separate ways and you stop caring a lick about each other real quickly.

In terms of tips about high school. . . really just relax. Try to remember that the grades don't really matter. The most lasting important thing to come out of high school is going to be your friends and social experiences. Put effort into that. And realize that no one is judging you because everyone is so worried about being judged by others that they don't even have time to think about other people.

 

[visibleghost]

i have a crap ton of anxiety hahhh and honestly i can't deal w/ it. i just suffer through school. try to sit in the back, have headphones on, leave as quickly as possible.

 

[Xara]

You probably won't see this ex-friend as much as you think. There are lots of different classes and you might not share any. Honestly, in my experience, animosity in high school just tends to fizzle out really quickly. You go your separate ways and you stop caring a lick about each other real quickly.

In terms of tips about high school. . . really just relax. Try to remember that the grades don't really matter. The most lasting important thing to come out of high school is going to be your friends and social experiences. Put effort into that. And realize that no one is judging you because everyone is so worried about being judged by others that they don't even have time to think about other people.

Actually, I'm in a different type of high school...it's one for kids with anxiety, and it's smaller than most high schools. So, basically, I'll be seeing my ex-friend everyday, considering it's basically middle school with how the classes work...you're with the same batch of kids for the entire year.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Assuming you're in America, I think the school system is a bit different there to here in the UK, so I have no idea what's what to be honest.

Just think of it as an exciting new place though. Yes, you'll get trampled in the corridors but at least the work isn't hell until the third the third year, at which it slowly gets worse and worse for the rest of your educational life. Fun, huh?

- - - Post Merge - - -

What I'm saying is, enjoy it whilst it's enjoyable! You'll meet some new friends (and enemies) too, so it's all good.

Canada, actually. But you're right. It's best to enjoy it while it's enjoyable -- and aye, first semester classes don't seem too bad, so I shouldn't die all that much

- - - Post Merge - - -

The only thing that ever helped me with new school years was music. I know that probably sounds dumb but listening to music before school always made me feel a little better.

doesn't sound dumb at all. Music is really therapeutic for me too, and it helps me a bit so aye

- - - Post Merge - - -

i have a crap ton of anxiety hahhh and honestly i can't deal w/ it. i just suffer through school. try to sit in the back, have headphones on, leave as quickly as possible.

basically me. i sit in the back as much as possible, and i pray to the god that i don't believe in that ill be allowed to use my tablet and listen to music, otherwise i might actually die

 

[AnimalCrossingPerson]

Try to remember that the grades don't really matter.

You kinda need them to go to college/university and for a lot of jobs. I know you're trying to send a comforting message but that's just false.

- - - Post Merge - - -

...Unless you're going to be a musician or do something creative like that, I suppose. Aside from that, kind of important.

- - - Post Merge - - -

And even then, it could be tough without an alright job.

I'll stop my post merging shenanigans now.

 

[cornimer]

I wish you all the best with your new school. Starting high school can be hard, but just keep in mind that no matter how hard it seems at the beginning you will adjust eventually, you just have to get past the first month or two. But it will get better.

As for the work, in my experience it wasn't that big a jump from middle school. It's definitely manageable, you just need to take the time to get it done. The first couple of assignments might be a pain but once you get used to the teacher's grading style and what they like you're good. You may be able to get their feedback on things before submission, if not have a friend or your parents read over it. But while grades are important, always put your health first.

Again, all the best! High school honestly isn't as bad as people make it out to be, at least in my opinion.

 

[Vizionari]

Honestly, the first year of high school is really not that bad. Granted, I had more stress than usual due to one of my electives being very demanding, but otherwise you learn to appreciate the somewhat light load teachers give you as a freshman. And like others have said, people will start caring less about each other as everyone's trying to find their own path. I'll be starting junior year in about a week, so I totally get being anxious about high school.

 

[bikes345]

Just know that there are so many kids that are also super nervous. I would bet most kids have a reason that they would be nervous to go back to school. Also most of what you're feeling is probably anticipatory anxiety so I bet once you get there the first day you'll feel a lot better. Finally (wow this is a long message) seeing your ex friend might be difficult at first but I think that it will get easier once you see them a few times.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine even if you don't believe it.

Edit: Also I've had tons of school anxiety too

 

[Taz]

I've started to get anxiety from anything to do with people who aren't my family. But just like Licorice said, music is really helpful... I usually listen to a lot of Two Door Cinema Club. Or I just randomly doodle or read too and it helps.

 

[Celestefey]

If it's any consolation, I'm in a similar situation to you right now, but I'm starting my first year at uni rather than secondary school. It's terrifying, I'm nervous about it and very very anxious, but it's a new stage of my life and I accept that it's going to be daunting at first but things will settle and I will find a new normal amidst the anxiety and chaos. You will get used to it. The first few weeks will be scary but you will settle. Everyone is going to be feeling the same as you, they will be afraid and nervous and anxious starting in a new school with new people. The best thing to do is to be positive about the whole experience - easier said than done. If you smile, you chat to other people, try your best to make a good impression, you act friendly and kindly to other people, then you have nothing to worry about. Just actively go out there and do stuff to get to know new people. If you see someone sitting on their own, go up to them and ask "is it okay if I sit here?" and just sit right next to them and get chatting!

Likewise, with school work, admittedly, high school is not too bad work load wise when you're in your first year, so don't panic about it too much (going from my own experiences here in the UK though so might be slightly different). For me I am never worried about lessons and homework and stuff because I know I'm very academically disciplined so I can work to deadlines with ease and I will study independently. But at the same time if that's something you struggle with then get organised now. Get a diary or planner and write out to do lists of everything you want to do in the evening you get home from school, write down assignment dates, how many days you have to complete things, plan out your evenings so you know what you need to do when you get home. I find that really motivates me a lot more and it actually makes sure I do something productive.

Overall, just try to stay calm and positive. Like I said, it's easier said than done, but this feeling WILL pass. You will get through this and survive it. It may not be fun or enjoyable during those first few weeks but you will settle and get used to things, and then you'll reach a point where you can't really imagine your life being any other way.

To tell you the truth I'm incredibly nervous at the moment too, because I'm moving away and doing something completely new and different and I'm really moving out of my comfort zone. But sometimes doing scary things can end with the best results. So you just need to be brave and embrace your school life as much as you can, because before you know it it will be over. So try to make good memories, even if school can be kind of bad at times.

 

[debinoresu]

tbh ive never really had much trouble with highschool. in fact, i had a harder time in middle school. you sorta come into yourself more in highschool, and it was easier, at least for me. also i was never "trampled in the hall" (i was shoved against walls in middle school lol). the halls are crowded but people form a sort of hallway traffic and yall just sorta pack together

my advice is never ever use your locker. imo its just easier to carry everything. i tried using my locker in middle school, but by highschool i just gave up and carry everything/keep on top of what i can keep home. lockers feel like more of an inconvenience to me.

i get school anxiety simply from coming back from the weekend, so im pretty anxious myself. its developed into a more physical anxiety for me, however, so i just dont eat the day im back from school/days im back. im usually calm mentally.

id also recommend planning out a route for how to get to your classes when you go to enroll, i always do that and i find it much easier than figuring everything out when you get there on the first day.

as for schoolwork, well... im naturally a procrastinator, and manage to get straight As without really studying on time/never doing homework at home etc. and though i wouldnt recommend it, its possible. i only work as hard as is necessary for my goals, and its gone okay for me so far. id say ive only really done close to 100% for this awful english class i had last year. schoolwork doesnt really feel that difficult to me so long as i have a teacher or a friend who can help explain math or something to me. i wouldnt worry too much about the academic side of things, really.

best of luck o: (as for ex-friends, i get that. i have an ex friend who i literally run away from when i see them at school and i get very anxious when i see them or theyre near. i told my friends and they help me hide from her. with support from friends its easy to handle)

 

[piichinu]

i had to see an ex-friend of mine when she transferred sophomore year and it honestly wasnt that big of a deal at all like just act civil around each other and dont hang out

 

[emre3]

I'm starting to feel it too... I'm just gonna stick around my friends as much as I can.

 

[namiieco]

the exact same with me
you're not alone ^^

 

[Emi_C]

I have to start a new school to go to sixth form as my school doesn't have one and I'm really anxious. Only one of my friends from my old school is going to that sixth form and I don't know if they'll be in my lessons or not. I don't know I'm just very nervous because I basically just want to go to school, learn and then leave, I don't really want to make new friends or get involved in anything I'd rather just learn. I'm just worried about being in a new place and new settings. The change from GCSE level to A levels is also making me anxious. The whole thing just makes me worried idk. I know that everything will be fine once I adjust but I am very nervous.

 

[Locket]

Drawing in class really helps.

Most of the teachers shouldn't care, I had the two strictest teachers in the school. I always drew in their class, they didn't care. They didn't yell at me, they only cared that I was doing the assignments.

It is also proven that it helps you listen in class.

So, Just get a piece of paper, and draw.

This is the best advice I can give you because I don't get much anxiety from going to school, just certain tests and stuff.

 

[Alienfish]

A bit.. mainly 'cause it's a new subject I'm gonna study (fashion studies, even though it's in the same place as film studies let alone a few things) but then I have a few things with my personal life to deal with so I hope I'm gonna be fine...

 

[Nightmares]

i have a crap ton of anxiety hahhh and honestly i can't deal w/ it. i just suffer through school. try to sit in the back, have headphones on, leave as quickly as possible.

Dammit we're not allowed to listen to music at school >.>