How to survive high school and maybe even enjoy it

For some of us, high school is the best years of our lives. However, for most of us, this does not hold true. High school is a difficult time for most, myself included. It has taken me a good 10-15 years to really appreciate my high school experience and what I learned both in and outside of the classroom.

High school can be a difficult time in your life. High school means bigger schools, more kids, different schedules, and a lot of uncertainty. It is a time of heightened anxiety because it brings about a lot of change and self-discovery, and at the same time adolescents are experiencing a lot of changes physically and emotionally. 

Even if you have the best bag of coping skills, most adolescents have feelings of anxiety, and even some social anxiety, trying to navigate the world of making new friends and finding out who ‘you’ are.

Here are 5 tips for surviving high school (and perhaps, maybe even liking it a bit more):

1. Get Involved - Get involved whether it is playing a sport, acting in a play, playing in the band, or joining a club find something that makes you happy and takes away from the stress of school that you can be a part of outside of the classroom. You will make friends with people you never thought you would connect with.

2. You Are Not Alone - It is important to remember that you are not alone. Many of your peers are in the same boat, going through similar changes and having the same feelings. Some of your peers may appear to love school and have carefree lives, but just remember that everyone has stressors in their life and no one has a perfect life. You do not have to be in the same social group to relate to others.

3. Move your body - You are at school 8 hours a day, if not more, sitting and learning in class. Bodies are meant to be in motion. Find a type of exercise that you like and do it most days a week. Exercise reduces anxiety and improves mood. It also helps you to focus later on that homework that still needs to get done.

4. Teachers Care About You - Your teachers really do care and are there for you with your best interests in mind. Find that teacher that you really connect with and let them support you. Teaching is not glamorous or lucrative. Your teachers are there because they care about you and your education.

5. It's Not Forever - Remember that high school does not last forever; however, you may form relationships and learn things that do. Whether you like it or hate it, it is only 4 years of your life and then you move on. There is a great big world out there waiting for you and you can be whatever you want. You can do this!

For more information on surviving high school and decreasing anxiety please contact Kull Counseling, LLC at 608.239.4807.