School Stories

I was thinking so much about prom back when I was in high school. It was the event everyone looked forward to, right? But there I was, 17 and feeling like I was missing out on something huge because I didn’t have a date. I borrowed this super cool outfit from my cousin. She went to a different school the year before and rocked it at her prom. Still, I worried I would stick out like a sore thumb without someone by my side. I could picture all these couples having their Hollywood moments while I stood there awkwardly holding a solo cup in the corner.

I seriously considered skipping it altogether because of this whole no-date situation. Part of me thought maybe it would be better than letting my anxiety eat me alive the whole night. But the other part was scared I would regret not going years down the line when everyone was sharing throwback pictures and stories about their amazing nights. You know those Instagram reels where people post old photos captioned "can't believe this was X years ago"? Yeah, exactly that.

I kept going back and forth in my head, debating everything from “what if I feel out of place” to “who cares if I have fun.” Sometimes it felt like high school was just one big party, and you were either a part of it or watching from behind glass doors wishing you had joined sooner. Did anyone else feel that way too? Was going alone really as bad as it sounded?

Sitting in a classroom, I often find myself incapable of focusing on the lecture at hand. It's like my mind is a wayward ship drifting off course, constantly lured by the siren call of distractions around me. Despite having slept well, my attention span seems to have shrunk to that of a goldfish. When I sit near the window, the temptation to gaze outside takes over more than I'd like to admit. The trees swaying in the wind or even just observing people passing by proves too enticing when someone is droning on about quadratic equations or historical dates. Honestly, it's embarrassing to admit how little I'm gleaning from classes these days.

Trying to rectify this issue feels like pushing a boulder up a mountain. Teachers preach about discipline and self-control as if those are magic wands you can just wave around and voila, you're an attentive student. But let's keep it real here for a second: who doesn't want to sneakily check their phone when things get insufferably monotonous? I wish there were some trick or strategy that's as effective as advertised because 'put your phone away' advice isn't cutting it.

Adding fuel to this fire is the general noise level: isn't it ironic that classrooms are supposed to be places of learning yet they're full of disruptions? A whisper there, someone flipping pages too aggressively here; sometimes it's all you can do not to scream for everyone just to shut up already! Concentration seems more elusive than Bigfoot whenever there's chatter all around.

Reading recommended literature only makes things worse; texts filled with jargon sometimes feel written specifically for insomniacs needing boredom-induced sleep aids. Provide extra explanations or simpler language…seriously! Not everyone gets all those scientific terms on first glance without reaching for Google Translate (or am I alone in this?). Schizotypy was once discussed as if every student had written a thesis on it beforehand: who does that?

Then one teacher said Einstein used daydreams constructively; maybe I should take solace in knowing even geniuses drifted occasionally...but then again we’re talking Einstein levels here! Should I just resign myself that engaging fully won’t ever happen due mostly external hindrances coupled internal tendencies prone wandering? Or could minor tweaks suffice after-all saving grades before permanent damage done? Is caffeine really answer everything except hypertension?

the rain keeps hitting my window and it just makes me feel so alone. I moved here to start fresh, cut off from my friends, and now I’m just stuck in this place where I don’t belong. everyone thinks rain is calming or whatever but to me, it’s just a reminder of how isolated I feel. I thought making friends would be easy but it’s like trying to break through a wall. every time I try to talk to someone, I just end up feeling more awkward and out of place.

I miss laughing with my old friends. now it’s like I’m in a social maze where I can’t even find the way out. simple conversations feel so complicated. I can’t figure out the unspoken rules here. sometimes it feels like I’m shouting into a void and nobody hears me. I want to fit in but I feel like I’m just floating on the outside looking in.

I read somewhere that accepting yourself is the first step to change but honestly, how can I accept myself when I just want people to like me? it’s so frustrating. I want to be real but I’m scared of being rejected. do I have to pretend to be someone I’m not just to be accepted? I just wish I could find a place where I could be myself. it’s exhausting trying to figure all of this out while feeling so out of place.

so entering college has been a total mixed bag for me. on one hand, it's super exciting, but on the other, it feels like I'm stuck behind this invisible wall. like, no matter how hard I try to connect with people, it just doesn't work. it makes me wonder why there's such a weird vibe between me and everyone else.

back in high school, I always tried to be friendly and approachable. I was really looking forward to making friends and getting involved in group stuff when I got here. but honestly, it's been so different from what I expected. every time I try to make eye contact or jump into a convo, it feels like people just give me one-word answers and then kinda move on.

I've tried all the usual tips for making friends, like being active in class and keeping my body language open at social events. but nothing seems to change. there’s this weird distance that I just can’t break through with my classmates.

maybe it's about cultural differences or just how people communicate these days. I've read some articles that say even small things like humor or accents can totally mess with how we connect. I guess if you don’t get those little things, it can feel awkward.

I know some people might think this is a small deal compared to schoolwork, but it still bugs me. I’m trying to stay optimistic though. I really vibe with this quote I heard once: "the only way to have a friend is to be one." so I'm really working on being more approachable and picking up on social cues while still being nice to everyone I meet.

Hey there, thank you so much for taking your time to read this, please do share your opinions on this post, thank you so much!

I am an engineering student who's just finished the 2nd semester. I have OCD and trying to control it is very difficult and obviously has caused problems. I started having issues with it in high school, my academics were very much affected because of it. Yeah, so after high school I decided to take engineering for my UG. I may seem very childish for having such feelings but college was DIFFICULT, I am very well aware that college is HARD, my OCD made it difficult for me to handle of what was considered normal to other students (I am sure other students have their own problems so, lets keep that in mind). I couldn't make friends throughout both the semesters because of the times I reacted to certain situations emotionally (such as mood swings, yelling at someone) which made others feel uncomfortable around me. I would like to state that during that period my medication changed very often and I think that could be my reason of being an emotional mess. I noticed my classmates avoiding me, which is fair. But by then I caused so much attention that everyone in the college knew something was wrong with me. I tried explaining the stuff along with my father only to make it worse(I am very grateful to have such a father who was doing his very best to support his child) I became annoying to everyone. Exams happened, those were terrible times for me (everyday was, but this was more) I was very anxious and I think i fainted 3 times during the 2nd sem. My academics were awful, I was basically in the guilt of shame but I also couldn't let myself feel anything because of my compulsions. I know that my parents never deserved to have a kid like myself, I am so sorry. At home I often argued with everyone over silly things it made me feel very clear that I am the problem and I did not know how to regulate my emotions, my parents were concerned about the amount of medication I was taking and making everyone's life a living hell just because of my delusional intrusive thoughts. My family is doing their very best to deal with me, I am really grateful that they care about me in their own way, they are also handling the finances for my need. I know that I am a shitty person. After the end of the 2nd semester exams I couldn't handle the pressure of me being so very pathetic at everything that I decided to take a year long break because EVERYTHING was so bad. I am sorry for that shitty line. I told my parents that I was NOT going to drop out from college but take a break instead and obviously that hurt them a lot because they have spent so much on me and these are the repercussions for their good deeds. I fought with them and they decided to give up on me. As of now I am not going to the college because of my mental health, but it just hurts so much when the people you love tell you that all these years you were just pretending to get attention. I am also in the wrong and I feel terrible for everyone, my parents didn't deserve to have such a cowardly child. I just wanna know if I am in a condition to actually go to college because WHY DOES EVERYTHING FEEL LIKE SHIT, or is it me that's forcing myself into thinking stuff?

I'm totally swamped with schoolwork and all these volunteer commitments. It's like I'm trying to keep everything balanced but then last night I got hit with this weird curveball. My teacher accidentally gave me an extra homework assignment. Like seriously? I already have so much on my plate that it feels like I'm running on a treadmill that just keeps speeding up. I’m barely sleeping as it is, and now I’m wondering if I should even say anything to her about the mistake or just suck it up and deal with it.

So this all started during what was supposed to be a regular class meeting last night. I was sitting there and noticed my homework list looked way longer than normal. Turns out my teacher, bless her heart, sent me the same instructions another student got because of some mix-up with a new software she was trying out. It’s just one of those things that happens in school, I guess, but for someone like me who’s juggling so much already, it just feels heavy. I mean volunteering is supposed to be rewarding but it also drains a ton of energy, way more than people think.

Now I’m just staring at my desk full of papers and my screen glowing way past the time I should be asleep. I’m really debating whether I should go talk to my teacher about this mistake. She’s usually really understanding and wants us to communicate, but part of me thinks that bringing it up is just gonna take more mental energy that I could be using on other things.

But then again, there’s this little voice in my head telling me to push through. It’s like that determination that kicks in when I’m working late at night and it feels like the clock is mocking me. Sometimes I remind myself that I’ve handled tough stuff before, but man, right now it just feels like a lot.

I hate school! I hate getting up early! (¬_¬")💢

I hate it so much. And, also, sometimes i feel, confused... that's because I can't understand my friend... I mean, she says that she doesn't like someone, and, she's always with her, like, I feel that she treats her better than she treats me, but wait. I know she can treat anyone like she wants to. But... emm I dunno, she says I'm her best friend and she loves me a lot, that makes me feel really happy! But, in school, she is like... emmmm. I don't know, I just want to stop overthinking

jeje ಠ_ಠ

I don't like thinking about this, it makes me feel guilty •́︿•̀

staying awake to study has become somewhat of a painful endeavor for me lately. with multiple subjects on my plate and looming deadlines, it feels nearly impossible to keep my eyes open at night. my typical caffeine-laden concoctions aren't as effective anymore, leaving me searching endlessly for new ways to power through late-night sessions;

i find myself in this quandary where my productivity is being hampered by the lack of sleep and time constraints. i've tried every trick in the book: energy drinks, coffee, and even taking quick naps but somehow none of this seems sustainable in the long run. it's not just about pushing through another sleepless night....there's got to be more to optimizing late hours than just caffeinated beverages!

while i understand juggling both classes and a part-time job is part of life for many students, it's becoming increasingly difficult to balance everything without burning out completely. i've read that altering one's routine might help like incorporating brief physical exercises or implementing intermittent breaks. however, i'm skeptical as there's only so much you can do before diminishing returns begin setting in.

i'm left pondering whether there's an overlooked method I'm missing or if it's simply an unsolvable problem faced by all students alike. contemplative as ever, i turn here hoping for insights or shared experiences from those who might have navigated similar challenges successfully...but we'll see.

So, here I am: just started this new role as a youth group leader, and I'm feeling quite perplexed. Tomorrow is my first meeting with these teens who've been associating with one another across various events for years now. The anticipation of setting foot in there is rather daunting!!! I've got this task at hand to engage them meaningfully... yet they're seemingly disinterested in everything I present? How does one break ice that has been forming over years??? It's quite the conundrum.

Despite the apprehension swelling within me like a storm cloud, there's this odd glimmer of excitement! 🌟 It'd be an opportunity to catalyze change, inspire conversations... bring fresh air to their interactions? Exciting indeed!!! But then again: what if I'm unable to make any impact? This juxtaposition of feelings refuses to relent.

I understand employing varied engagement methodologies could foster a dynamic discourse among them; icebreakers might be essential tools here (isn't it always?)... Just thinking aloud really. Challenges lie ahead but hey, wouldn't life be insipid without any hurdles? I'll brace myself for tomorrow with an open mind and fervent spirit!;

Hey!

It's midnight here and I'm unable to sleep though my body is tired, but I just can't fall asleep. I have been thinking about my old self, the person I used to be back in high school. I was an Art student who used to spend most of her time playing with colors and sketch anything she sees like even a little insect lol. I had a very clear goal in my mind that I'll become an art teacher after graduation. Well, life happened and I was losing my soul piece by piece. I lost my parents, a home, caught up in addiction almost on my dead bed and the career that I never able to start.

These memories of mine are keeping me up all night, I would say multiple nights. There's this voice inside of me telling me to pick up my pencil and draw just draw, no matter what just do it. And I'm thinking is it too late to start all over again? Should I listen to the voice? Should I? idk It's been like more than 10 years since I picked up my pencil.

haha after typing my feelings here I feel calm. Nice platform

I'm currently in high-school n I've been friends with the trans girl named Mars since the 6th grade and he used to like a boy who I'll call Alex . We are all in band, but both of them are in the same section and about a year ago Mars friend told Alex that he liked him n Alex rejected him, so he got really sad n he said and I quote "I'm going to end it all if I don't get fitter or get my new crush to date me" (his current boyfriend). After he said this I felt worse since I had also had a crush on Alex since the 6th grade but had known him since the 4th. So out of guilt I helped him get his current boyfriend and after a few week of them dating i decided to tell him that I had a crush on Alex. After I told him this he was like I thought u had a crush on him but at the time he said he was totally ok with me liking alex but due to exterior circumstances I ended up sitting n being paired for a final project with his boyfriend. So I believe he thought I would start liking his boyfriend so as the year ended our friendship became strained and he pulled away. The summer passed by n we didn't talk at all but about a week ago I texted him n told him that I was sorry n that it was ok if he didn't trust me anymore but that I wanted to apologize before school started n ge said that I had been forgiven but that he still didn't trust me fully which I understand but a few days ago during band camp i tried approaching him but he was a bit distant so I decided to back off. Alex was also there and he started teasing me and I started to tease him back since teasing is my form of showing care to others but as me and Alex were joking around Mars started to look annoyed and start intervening in our conversations. I got slightly annoyed but I didn't say anything since I was trying to patch things up. The next day I kept talking to Alex but I felt so wrong for enjoying talking to him especially infront of Mars. But today when Mars didn't show up I started feeling worse so I tried to avoid Alex but we kept making eye contact and he kept on trying to talk to me and by the end of the day I finally caved n I started talking to him and while talking I felt so happy but when the day ended I felt like a peice of crap but I have tried so hard to stop liking Alex but I always go back to him and he feels like a drug that has me hooked but after leaving his presence I feel like shit because i remember hey he is the reason one of your closest friends doesn't trust u anymore and it's a never ending loop.

so here's the deal: my kiddo just failed this year at school and we're trying to figure out how to get him motivated over the holidays. he's got ADHD, so focusing can be a real challenge for him. sometimes it feels like keeping his attention on one thing is like trying to hold water in your hands. i've been doing some research online, reading articles from places like Additude magazine, and they all seem to have similar advice but it's kinda confusing what actually works? you know, set goals that are achievable and provide structure (the kinda stuff that's easier said than done).

anyways, we're thinking of trying something new this summer... maybe something more hands-on or engaging, you know? i recently stumbled upon rock climbing as a possible activity. according to some parents in an ADHD support group i joined on facebook 🎯 it can really help with focus and discipline while still being a blast for kids who need to burn off energy. plus, he might just make some friends there who relate to his situation. would love any advice or stories you folks might have.

There I was, 9yo, happy going to the bathroom in the middle of the class. Then I thought "why not poop in the middle of the hallway". Hell yeah, I did it.

Next it was lunch break, when I got out of class everyone was around the poop like "oH MY GOOOOD" and stuff, turns out the blame ended up going for the security guy from school (don't know how it's called in English).

Well, days went by and he never appeared in the school again, and for the history of the entire school it was recorded that it was the security guy. Oops I guess.

Thank you so much for having the patience to read this, I would really like to hear your opinion on this situation. I have OCD (not sure if this is important, but just to give you some context) it ruined my high-school life. Somehow I was able to graduate high school and got into a college. I suppose it was a month or two after joining the college I got into this stupid misunderstanding with someone and shrieked infront of my classmates and threw my glasses like it was BAD, I know it was a stupid thing for me to do but this started reminding me of high school again and I couldn't handle my emotions. After that, no one really sat next to me, they would put their bags on my bench and would sit behind or infront of me with their friends. I tried talking to them, they were polite enough to say something but it always ended up me being ignored. My OCD anxieties were terrible and during lab sessions experiments was unable to perform or even hold the apparatus on my own, so when our professors would assign us partners, when it came to me everything was quiet. And when someone is assigned to be my partner they made faces of disappointment and their friends mocking them and wishing them good luck. I would do my very best to give assistance for the experiments only to get told that they'll handle everything and I just need to copy theirs. I hated this so much. I tried explaining this to my professors and it was obvious that they didn't want to do anything with it as their lives were not going great in the college. I was told that I didn't make an effort to speak to my classmates, and I thought that was true but every time I would initiate conversations with them I found out that our interests were too different to which I admit yes not all of us have to like the same thing, but I would ask them about the stuff they like and they would talk something and then go back to their friend group. I tried going home together with them, before catching the public transportation we have to take a 3-5 minute ride after that we would get into the public transportation and it always ended up me sitting alone while they would sit together and chat. (I think I might be seeing too much into this but I am so sorry for being such an idiot here.) Group projects always ended up with them doing the work and me doing nothing because there was no work. I tried not focusing on this and did my own thing to keep me engaged. Then I heard that there were rumours spread about me in the college and I think my classmates have painted me as a scary person or someone not mess with. We had a food carnival, I was in my stall giving juice for free while next to me was lemonade stand that was charging money. So when the other students came to check out, no one wanted to do anything with my stall and were buying lemonade from my neighbors. At some point these random girls come to my stall atnd start joking about the juice I was giving away ( IT was a mangosteen drink), suddenly one of my classmates tried warning the girls that who I was...that day was also a shitty day because the people who actually drank the juice from my stall did so out of pity it was very obvious. While I am grateful for those who actually bothered, I couldn't help but feel really hurt about this. I am sorry for this stupid rant, God. Obviously my studies and grades were messed up because I cared too much, but I was told that I didn't seem to care. I obviously tried telling this to my family, they told me that I was just taking things too seriously and that I wasn't really putting any effort to socialise. I told this situation to my therapist who said that I had to sue my college or something (dude, what??). I tried begging my parents to allow me a break but I guess it won't really do anything.....As the second semester has ended I am thinking if I want to continue this college or just suck it up and I'm being a whimp. I am really sorry. Thank you so much for reading this, I would be very grateful to hear your opinion, thank you.

I've been thinking a lot about why people bully me. It's such an odd thing to try and wrap my head around. You know how you sometimes hear stories about kids getting picked on because they're different? I always used to think it was just something you'd see in movies but turns out, it's real life stuff.

People have told me things like 'you're too nice' or 'you care too much' and I'm like is that really why someone would pick on another person? I remember back in school days when that one kid used to throw my lunch on the floor and call me names for no reason at all. Made me wonder if they were dealing with their own issues; maybe projecting their unhappiness onto me.

Was talking with this friend once (who's had her fair share of bullies) and she said we gotta remember those folks doing the bullying often have their internal battles too. Maybe it's true? Who knows? She told me: "Don't take it personally", like thanks but easier said than done right?

One day in gym class, while waiting for our turn, a guy just randomly shoved me into a locker. At that moment, instead of feeling sad or angry, I asked him straight up why he did that... He couldn't even give a proper answer! Made me chuckle afterwards thinking how clueless some can be when confronted about their actions. So yeah, maybe people have quirky reasons we can't always understand but hey, at least we're not alone in facing this nonsense.