Alex's Answer

Hi there and welcome to Ask Alex,

 

You’re telling us you hate school, and so you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

 

We’re sorry to read that; it must be very difficult for you to feel that way. There could be different reasons behind the fact that you hate school and that make it almost impossible for you to wake up, get ready, and be out and about. We have selected a few for you, so you can reflect on which one sounds like you and what to do in every case:

 

1 You’re Feeling Overwhelmed. If school feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many teenagers find themselves with packed schedules. From classes and homework to extracurricular activities and even part-time jobs, many students want to escape back to summer. Add time for relaxation and hanging out with friends, and you might be fully booked. If what you have on your plate is truly too much, you might speak with your parents, a guidance counsellor, or a therapist about what you may be able to reasonably cut from your agenda. It may also help to try out some new organizational tactics. Keeping a physical planner can be helpful since you can see your weeks and months at a glance so you can plan ahead.

 

2 You Hate Getting Up Early. In general, teenagers need more sleep than the average adult because their bodies and brains are still growing. If you’re having trouble waking up, you may not be getting enough rest each night. Aiming for at least eight or nine hours is typically recommended. If you have trouble getting good sleep, you can try a few different strategies for establishing better sleep habits. Examples include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and sleeping in a dark, quiet room that’s at a good temperature. It may also help to limit your screen time, especially before bed. Research suggests that more smartphone use correlates with poorer sleep outcomes in teenagers, especially, so putting your phone down at least an hour or two before bed may be beneficial.

 

3 You Have Test Anxiety. Test-taking can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for people at various types of schools, whether you find the source material interesting or not. There can be a lot of pressure from teachers or parents associated with getting good grades. If test anxiety is making it hard for you to like school, there are a few things you can try. First, learning some deep breathing exercises may help you keep yourself calm and focused when going into an exam. Next, you could meet with a tutor who can evaluate your studying and test-taking habits and help you find ways to remember what was discussed in your lectures. Finally, you can ask your teachers for accommodations if you have specific needs around test-taking. They may be able to grant you extra time or let you take the test in a quieter setting.

 

4 You’re Being Bullied. About one in five high school students report being bullied at a public school in the past year, and about one in six reports being bullied online. Bullying is serious, and it can cause long-term fear and have a negative impact on you in both the short and the long term. That’s why seeking help is so important. According to stopbullying.gov, telling the bully to stop in a calm, clear voice can be effective in some cases. If you’re at risk of physical harm, however, walking away and finding an adult who can help is best. You may also want to speak with a teacher or counsellor you can trust to help prevent future instances of bullying.

 

5 You’re Experiencing Anxiety Or Depression. If you’re facing certain mental health challenges, it can be difficult to enjoy, do well in, or even go to school. At this age, anxiety can manifest as concerns about all kinds of things, from your academic performance, social life, and appearance to your future plans or family situation at home, to name a few. This, combined with a poor diet full of junk food, can point to symptoms such as trouble concentrating, irritability, sleep problems, recurring fears and worries, and extreme self-consciousness. When it comes to depression, symptoms in children and teenagers can include crying spells, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, feeling easily frustrated, and low self-esteem. If you feel like your mental health is on the line, there is help available. Doctors, a school counselor, or a licensed therapist can help you manage symptoms so that you can feel and function better at school and in other parts of your life.

 

We hope this helps! If you want to talk further about it, please do not hesitate to call us at Childline on 1800 66 66 66 or use the Live Chat on the website www.childline.ie.

 

Take care of yourself,

Alex