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Hi. I'm currently finishing junior year...and I'm having a hard time at my high school. Ever since grade nine, I haven't felt very "accepted" by my peers. It has just gotten worse and I was very upset/distraught for the majority of this year. I wanted some advice: should I switch schools for next year? I just don't know if I can handle another year with barely any friends and being used.

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 06:55 pm: Edit

how about dual enrolling at the local community college? That would markedly reduce the amount of time you have to spend at your high school, but still let you apply to 4-year colleges as a freshman.

By Entropy (Entropy) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 07:22 pm: Edit

Chica, Chica, Chica. I have hated my high school ever since I walked in that piece of crap but once I discovered that my personality and level of thinking was different than that of my peers, I focused all of my energy towards academics and my own personal interests. I once worried about how others perceived me, and I wanted to fit in with my peers, until I realized that I am in a league all by myself. And to my amazement, not all of the students in my school were idiots, and of course those that weren't were unpopular and sometimes they were taunted. But in any situation, especially in life, you shouldn't feel overwhelmed by the thought of being alone. If you are a person of values, dignity, and respect there will be situations in which you will be the only one standing.
Do you find yourself relating to your peers, or do you feel that you want to assimilate with your classmates because it is the "normal" thing to do? When you respect yourself and realize that you do not need anyone else to validate you, you will begin to respect yourself and better handle situations in which others want to take advantage over you. Just look deep inside yourself.
If you are satisfied with the quality of education at that particular school, I don't think you should go through the tedious process of transfering to another school.

By Number9 (Number9) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:07 pm: Edit

I have hated my high school ever since I walked in that piece of crap but once I discovered that my personality and level of thinking was different than that of my peers, I focused all of my energy towards academics and my own personal interests.


Amen.

By Jenniferelaine (Jenniferelaine) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:09 pm: Edit

Ways to help the situation.

1.Look for friends out of your HS
OR try and make friends with people who aren't in the "popular" crowd, but don't go hang out with people who will have a bad influence on you...

2.Accept the people for the losers that they are (but don't get pompous about it), and stand up for yourself. Do not allow yourself to be used! As I'm sure you already know, it's a huge blow to your self-esteem. Recognize the situation for what it is. If you don't like these people, you probably aren't going to be best friends with them anytime in the near future. Broaden your horizons and try and find people who are more like yourself, who share the same interests as you.

3. If you're still following these steps: get out of the harmful situation, but don't transfer. Especially if you go to a decent HS. Now, if you're getting bullied or harrassed, that's a different story, but just remember it's only a year.

I was in the same boat as you in HS, I'm a pessimist and somewhat of a cynic, and went straight to step 2. However, I wasn't so non-pompous about it. A mistake, I will admit that.

Consider enrolling in a CC, other local college/university, or find an EC that is outside of the school. It's not healthy to stay in an enviornment where you are miserable, but there are ways to remedy/help the situation without paying a few thousand for your HS education.

By Dt200 (Dt200) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 01:49 am: Edit

Entropy--- I couldn't agree more.