Help?Recentl

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Help?Recentl

Help?

Recently, I began high school. Not a big deal for most people, but I had been homeschooled all my life.

Things are going wrong. 

I'm missing homework. I forgot to write a paper. I can't research for papers. I spent an entire art class just deciding what to draw. I have horrible stomach aches due to anxiety. The school didn't have my schedule at first on the first day, so I sobbed and practically hyperventalated in the bathroom. I spend my time panicking and trying not to cry.

But that's just background.

Recently, I was unable to complete my homework. I thought "not a big deal, right? I'll just do it during study hall."

Except I couldn't. There's one reason.

People.

I need silence or at least quiet to focus, and I've talked to the people around me about being quiet. The boys at my school didn't take me seriously, and kept talking loudly. (Some of these same boys 'flirt' with me because it makes me flustered, but that's beside the point.)

So I couldn't do my homework. I need study hall. I need to get my homework and other work done. I know a lot of people need silence or quiet to focus, but there's still no rule against it. 

Does anyone know how to fix my problem or get said boys to take me seriously?

submitted by Icy the freshman, age 14, The Forest
(September 13, 2018 - 12:51 pm)

I find something that really helps is bringing a set of earplugs (not earbuds, they probably won't let you) to school, so when you need quiet during study hall, just silently slip them in and continue. Typically people will notice that you want to be left alone. Another thing that helps me keep track of work is to keep your homework and your schedule in the same place, and write down the homework and when it's due. I hope this helps, and I believe you can work your way through this.

submitted by General Waffleson
(September 13, 2018 - 3:49 pm)

I just started middle school and now I feel young.

Anyways! If you can, sit away from those boys or even better, away from as many people as possible. If not,  BE FORCEFUL! YELL AND USE PHYSICAL FORCE IF NEEDED! 

Just kidding. Don’t do that. Don’t get in trouble.

First, I would ask a teacher. And if the boys flirt with you again KICK THEM- ok I’ll stop joking now. Ignore whatever they say. Don’t show they’re getting to you. Firmly ask them to stop being loud.

(Or even better, lie and say you have a boyfriend that doesn’t go to your school. That’d shut them up. It’d also fall apart really quickly. I need to stop giving bad advice.) 

submitted by Neko Ebonyflower
(September 13, 2018 - 3:54 pm)

Hey!! I had the same problem:( here are some things that might help:

- if you are allowed to use phones, bring headphones and listen to “studying” music (you can find it on google)

- find your inner evil- tell those boys to SHUT UP!!!! 

- you probably already do this, but start your homework as soon as you get home from school

- if you are willing to look a little weird, you can wear earplugs

I hope this helps!  -Moonlightelf  

submitted by Moonlightelf
(September 14, 2018 - 8:32 am)

Ok, who's ready for High School Workload Survival with Cockleburr? Buckle up, kids, cause we're gonna Get! Stuff! Done! 

Ok, annoying little intro aside, here's the one thing that's actually saved my sanity more times than I want to remember: Lists. So many lists. If you don't have a planner, get one. Right now. You need a planner. Got your planner? Great. It's going to live in your backpack. It must be with you at school at all times because as soon as a teacher gives a homework assignment you are going to whip that planner out and write it down.

Secondly, Organizing your Workload! Your assignments have different priorities depending on when they're due, how much time they'll take, and how difficult they are. I am a very visual person, so I organize my workload using shapes and colors.
Circle= Easy/Should only take a short time
Square= Medium/May take longer
Triangle= Hard/Will take a while
Diamond= Need to break down into smaller pieces/Do not understand the assignment

If the shape is shaded, this thing is a priority. If it is not shaded, this thing needs to happen, only not right now. 

After I have everything written down in a list I read through them and put a shape in front of each assignment. That way I can quickly glance over my list and decide what to do first, what to do second, what I can do right now while I'm waiting for the bus, what I need to do at home, etc. 

You should also use your planner to remind yourself when there's a test. A good planner should have an area to put the assignments for every day. When you hear 'test', flip to the date it's going to be and write it down. Same with long term projects and papers. Write down both the project and when it's due. 

---

For art class, all I can say is to draw something. Even just thumbnails. Don't use your eraser because this isn't the finished project. Do something to get ideas. Just scribble down whatever the project makes you think of. Or look on Google Images. Don't just sit there because you cannot bank on some friendly inspiration dropping out of the sky. Even if you don't decide on what you're really going to do, at least you have some ideas now. See what elements you like from them and what you don't.

I hope this helps! And I hope my style wasn't too annoying. 

submitted by Cockleburr
(September 14, 2018 - 11:19 am)

Wow, that sounds awful.

I went to school for a semester for a couple years ago.  I found myself in tears a number of times during the adjustment period, and that was just Middle School. It got better, though.

Is there someone, such as a Vice Principle or teacher, that you coud ask to move your study hall period to the library?   If this isn't the case, I would say that sadly the solution is to just train yourself to block out the noise (a thousand times easier said than done, I know).  Take deep breaths and take it one simple task at a time.  Break it down as small as you can, one essay sentence, one homework question at a time.

As for the boys,  I've had experience with a similar thing.  If telling them to stop doesn't work, do not even look at them.  It's hard, but honestly what they want is attention and a reaction.  It might take a week or two, but they will get bored and move on, especially if there's a large group of them.

 

 

submitted by Marigold
(September 14, 2018 - 1:14 pm)

Hi, Marigold! Thanks so much for replying.

I would love to move my study hall period to the library--but my high school doesn't have one! It's partially under construction, though the class area is all finished. I don't think there is going to be a library there--the rest of the space, apart from class areas, is going to be gym/athletic areas, more classes, and a chapel (since I go to a Christian school, we worship every Thursday).

I also don't think we have a Vice Principal yet. I'm going to have to talk to my parents about that one.

The boys honestly aren't being 'annoying' or even purposely annoying to me. They're just talking to each other--they're like (stereotyped) girls in the aspect that they love chatting with each other. 

But other than those three things, I'll definitely be taking and following your advice--thank you so much for posting it on here! 

submitted by Icy, age 14, The Forest
(September 14, 2018 - 9:59 pm)

Of course.  I'm not an experienced advice giver, so feel free to take anything. I say with a grain of salt.  I meant the boys who were teasting you by flirting, although from the sound of it the overall noise is the bigger problem and annoyingly unfixable.
I really hope things work out for you.

 

submitted by Marigold
(September 15, 2018 - 12:12 pm)

I'm a sophomore in high school and I also have some tips.

I agree with Cockleburr. Get a planner, it will help you a ton! Also, if for whatever reason you just can't finish the homework, just explain the problem to your teacher. I'm sure they'll understand.

As for the boys, I might not be the best person to answer this question because I am a boy, but I would say just be assertive. Be loud and confident and they'll take you seriously. If they don't, tell an adult about it. Chances are the teachers are just as annoyed at those boys as you are. And if all else fails, earplugs do also help, even just the orange foam ones they give you at rock concerts.

submitted by Zeus, Idaho
(September 14, 2018 - 2:28 pm)

Thanks, Zeus!

I have a planner, I'm just not quite sure how I'm going to be using it yet. I've explained my problems to all of my teachers, and they've been really patient and amazing so far.

I'll definitely be trying earplugs (and hiding them behind my hair, for those of you that mentioned it might be embarrassing. Nobody can see my ears normally anyway, so it's not a big deal). 

Again, thank you so much for your feedback!

submitted by Icy, age 14, I want Idaho potatoes now
(September 14, 2018 - 10:02 pm)

Thanks, everyone who left comments! I hope to reply to every one of your wonderful comments, but I'm on a crazy schedule and only replied to a few today.

submitted by Icy, age 14, The Forest
(September 14, 2018 - 10:22 pm)

I am a freshman as well, so let me tell you, I feel ya. Cockleburr and everyone else has already done a great job of giving advice, so the only thing that I am going to add is to give it time. When I first transferred to my current charter school from the public school that I had gone to my entire life, I literally thought the world was ending. My new school was harder than anything I had ever experienced, and I thought I was going to die. Crying was a regular occurrence, and I dreaded every day that I had to go. Over time, however, I learned to deal with the workload and the people, and now I can say that school is a lot easier. Your brain will adapt to having to work with a deadline, and eventually research papers and all of the other things that seem impossible now will get easier. Just give it time. Remember, this is your freshman year of high school, not college, so don't forget to put it all into perspective.

submitted by Alta
(September 15, 2018 - 10:17 am)

Wow... that really doesn't sound like fun. I'm currently homeschooled and therefore have no experience with high school, but I do have experience with buttheads and getting things done. For those boys, first off, they're talking out of their shoes. If they can't take you seriously, then you shouldn't take them seriously. Make it clear you have absolutely no interest in them. And for the noise, I'd say maybe try getting a pair of earplugs, or play white noise through your headphones while you work. It's worked for me, but then again I've never been to high school, so I'm probably not the most reliable source of advice. But I hope it helps! 

submitted by Pooki P, age -30, not where you live
(September 15, 2018 - 12:50 pm)

I've never been homeschooled, and I've gone to the same public school district for my entire life, but I'll try to help! If you're having trouble with noise, you could try asking a teacher if you could work out in the hall, or even try to get your study hall switched. I've started writing on my hands to remember stuff, like course outlines that must be signed and returned which might be helpful to you if you write your homework down but forget to check your planner. As for research papers, if you need reliable sources, use websites with endings like .gov or .org, not .com, or check search trusted online newspapers, like local news sources or stuff like the New York Times. If you're having trouble with grades, stay after school with a teacher for help, and always do extra credit if there is any. I hope this helps!

submitted by icarus, Also a freshman
(September 15, 2018 - 5:26 pm)

Hey, I just started high school too- I would pretty much repeat what other people have been saying, but I just have a word of advice- don't let a rough start determine the rest of the year or even the rest of high school. I sincerely hope things will get better for you!!

submitted by Bluebird
(September 17, 2018 - 10:57 pm)

Aww. *hugs* I'm not having the best time of it, either--too little sleep, too many classes I don't like. It's not totally unexpected, though. There's a pattern for me; I have a rough start, but get my footing by midwinter. Maybe you will, too. 

Personally, I would half play along with anyone who tried to flirt, but creep them out as much as possible while doing so. Maybe something about finally having a partner in blood rituals? But that's just me. For you, I'd recommend blocking them out with earplugs and/or headphones. I've never tried them together, but you can, if you want. Tell them to talk somewhere else if they absolutely have to be loud. Ask a friend or a teacher for backup. They can't ignore an authority figure, although I doubt they'll thank you for it. Don't worry about offending them. If they do get upset, and they probably won't, say you just wanted them to take you seriously. 

Hope this helps, and good luck! 

submitted by Viola?, age Secret, Secret
(September 18, 2018 - 7:15 am)