TeenHealthFX - Answers - How To Survive High School

Other Emotional Health Issues / Question
Published: July 23, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Highschool seems pretty tuff. I am not very smart and social(no sports or extra activities). My friends seem to be going crazy. I don't have many guy friends so when one pays attention to me i become infatuated-setting myself up for hurt. My best friend since babyhood is so busy with school and her boyfriend who just moved to the other side of the country. I need to help her and stop wasting time with my own pointless issues. My cousin has turned into a sort of beer obsessor. Another friend of mine recently told me she had sex with some boy at a party. man. I have'nt seen her since 7th grade and to see how much change. Anyway, I guess i'm just wanting ideas on how to survive highschool. What to say to friends that need good advice(even when they just want you to listen)? How to get over my issues with jealousy and loneliness? How to learn to trust? How to motivate myself to do homework? Answer this please! Signed, teenagers scare the xxxx out of me

Signed: How To Survive High School

Dear How To Survive High School,

TeenHealthFX understands that high school can feel like an intimidating and scary place with so many new experiences and challenges to deal with. It is a time in life where people are really beginning to form their individual identities – which can be its own difficult process on top of everything else. In order for you to survive high school you are going to need some help. High school can be difficult and overwhelming, but you can get through it if you have someone to talk to. While your best friend is understandably upset because her boyfriend is leaving her, if she really is your best friend she will listen to your problems too. Chances are she has struggled with similar issues as you. Talk to her about your problems since, as a high school peer, a lot of them will be things she has faced as well.

Once you are feeling a little less lonely and confused, yourself, you will then be in a much better position to give advice. For the most part what a friend needs is just someone to listen to them. If they ask for your advice just try to tell them what you think would be the best course of action – the thing you, yourself, would want to do. FX would also never expect that you would have all the answers when people come to you for help. If you really have no advice to offer (which happens to everyone in certain situations), say something like, “I wish I had something helpful to say right now. What I can say is that I’m here for you for support and to listen. But if you need specific advice about this, why don’t the two of us go together to talk to one of our parents, a guidance counselor, or another one of our friends?”

Another thing that should be a major component of your high school experience and that will help you immensely is doing extra curricular activities. You may have noticed other people your age experimenting with different friendships and hobbies as a way to find their own identities. When you begin participating in sports and activities you will begin to develop your own identity as well. Doing activities and sports will also help you through all aspects of high school physically, socially and even mentally. Clubs and sports can even present great opportunities to make friends or maybe to meet a future boyfriend. They will also help you to get your mind off some of your worries. Taking part in high school activities will help to feel less like an intimidated outsider in your high school and to become a happy part of the school. Another great aspect of taking part in school activities, especially sports, is that your homework productivity usually increases. Often when students return from working and learning for six hours at school and begin doing homework right away they are apt to procrastinate, stall, or become sidetracked. These other activities will clear your mind and give you a healthy break so that you will be more ready to do your homework. FX is confident that if you put yourself out there is school to meet new people and participate in school activities you will do more than survive in high school, you will thrive in it!

Signed: TeenHealthFX