Back To School
By Jade Armstrong
Hi,
My name is Jade Armstrong and I was born and raised in New York. I’m currently a senior in High School. I love running, playing the flute and reading, but I spend most of my time listening to music. Not only is music just fun to listen to, it also articulates feelings that we may not have had the means to put into words yet. And you can probably guess that, I also love to write. I write for the same reasons I listen to music; it gives me an outlet to talk about things that are important to me.
It’s always in the beginning of August, when it feels like the whole summer is still ahead of us – relaxing to do, beaches to tan on, friends to hang out with – that the dreaded back to school campaigns begin. We’re reminded that there’s only so much time before school starts again and we have to wake up early, go to class and study. So of course, back to school season comes with a lot of emotions.
Some of us are excited because we get to see friends, start new classes and meet new people. And to top it off adults have created an entire holiday, season or whatever you want to call it that means we get new school supplies, bookbags and if we’re lucky clothes, shoes, hairstyles, the works.
Meanwhile others are anxious to start school again because with it comes challenging situations and unnecessary amounts of stress. And some of us are even starting new chapters in our lives, while others are closing out old ones. But no matter where you are in this journey it can be exciting, frustrating, invigorating, nerve wracking and so much more. And feeling all of those things is completely normal.
School has lots of work, new people, new drama, new expectations, et cetera. So let’s talk about ways to cope and the things that I’ve learned.
First off, music has been my go to for as long as I can remember. On a good day or a bad one you can catch me walking down the hallway blasting music, in my beats, without a care in the world. So, tip number one is to find ways to manage your stress. Go for walks. Try breathing exercises. Meditate. The point is to find what works for you and what makes you feel grounded, even on a really bad day. For me that means listening to music and sometimes taking a slightly longer route to class, so I can go for a little bit of a walk.
My next tip is about perfectionism and giving yourself grace. A lot of times we want to have the perfect grades, be the best dressed, be the most popular and just be exceptional in all ways. Perfect in all ways. As someone who’s struggled with this, I want you to know that this is normal. But more so, I want you to remember that you’re human – not superhuman. You’re allowed to make mistakes and to not be perfect. It takes time and constant reminders to remember that, but in the end life and school are a lot easier once you do.
The third tip is to find your person. They don’t have to be Meredith to your Christina or the person that you tell all of your secrets to you. Just find one person that you can connect with. Trust me that person makes school a lot easier. And if you’re anything like me it’s daunting to try and find that person, but it’s also really worth it. And remember it all starts with a “hello”, a compliment, or a group project.
The final and most important tip: ASK FOR HELP. If you’re struggling with your school work, ask a teacher and take a look at their office hours. If they can’t help, ask someone in your class. And if you’re struggling with stress or anything else, reach out to a guidance counselor or any trusted adult and ask for help. There are always people that are ready and willing to help, as long as you are ready and willing to reach out.
So now, it only feels right to end on this note: There are always people that want to help and if you don’t feel comfortable going to someone in your community you can always try hotlines. These are places where trained professionals will give you space to talk and help you work through what you’re dealing with.
Places to Go
Teen Lifeline : Teen Lifeline is a great organization that helps provide safe and confidential intervention services for teens. Plus, their hotlines are for teens and by teens.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : The Lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential support, for anyone going through a crisis.
Youthline : Youthline is a great place to go for support through their teen to teen helpline.
Trevor Project : The Trevor Project is a well-known organization that focuses on suicide prevention and mental health resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
Teen Link : Teen Link is a good place to go for support from trained teen volunteers.
RAINN : RAINN is a great place to turn to for confidential support (offered 24/7), specifically for those affected by sexual assault.
Final Reminder
School can be an amazing experience. You just have to find a way to navigate it that works for you. And I would say good luck with this school year, but I’m sure you won’t need it.
