I need advice!!!

[skw]

I'm currently am in year 11 and find that I am struggling.I seem to not like all my subjects and even though I understand what is going on, I can't seem to demonstrate that in a test and I find it very hard to concentrate in class as I am always anxious. I really want to go to uni and I am currently doing 3 level 3 subjects and 1 level two subject but I am struggling and feel as though I am going to fail all my classes. I have already failed my maths test and finding I'm not performing as well compared to my previous schooling years even though I study really hard. 

 I have emailed my teacher about changing subjects and I am going to  talk to her about it. But I am just really unhappy and hate the whole experience of year 11. I have never been so anxious to go to school in my life and I don't know why I am getting so worked up about things, as other people seem to be coping reasonably well.  My mum tells me that I put too much pressure on myself and should focus on getting my year 11 and 12 certificate rather than getting into uni, as I can go to uni at anytime.

 I would really appreciate it if people could comment about there experience or if they have any advice because I feel lost and feel like I want to quit year 11 all together as I can't seem to cope with anything, I just seem so distracted and not myself. I want to do so many things like exercise and other hobbies but I never seem to have time.

Anyway thanks for reading and looking forward to any suggestions or advice people may have (:

[Blue99]

Hi, don't be too hard on yourself. You are going through a tough time. Is there someone you could talk to at school like a counsellor? Teachers can be very understanding if they know you're struggling. There will be lots of people that can help if you reach out. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are the only one. At the end of the day we are all like ducks, we seem calm on the surface but underneath we are all paddling madly to get along.  Getting to the end of year 12 isn't for everyone and you are not a failure if you don't do it. Maybe you are better suited to an apprenticeship or training somewhere else. Try to find something you are passionate about or enjoy. It's early in the year so you might be still settling in. Please talk to someone. There are ways of coping with what you are going through, reach out.  I wish you well. 

[sallybe]

Hey there, I know exactly how you feel, going into your senior year can definitely be scary at times, it's perfectly normal to feel anxious when you enter something new. 

I'm sorry to hear about it affecting your studies though, have you tried talking to your teachers about it? Maybe get them to help you during lunch, outside school hours or even just a few minutes after class, just so you can understand  the content better, maybe discuss what you had done wrong in the test and work on how you can improve next time :-).

I think your mum may be on to something though haha, it seems to me that your anxiety and stresses are stemming from your association of your whole year 11 experience just with getting into university after you graduate. It's good to hear you want to go to uni and have a goal you want to achieve, but don't let that goal become the centre of your life and blind you from everything else. Instead, focus on the little things - so, next time you are in class, try to just focus on what your teacher is teaching you, instead of whether or not you can pass the class to get into uni. I know it may seem hard since you said you've been having trouble concentrating this whole time, but try taking baby steps. So, you could first begin with just forcing yourself to take as many notes as you can during class, which can range from your teacher explaining quantum physics in five minutes to them describing their weekend to you. I feel this could help you focus better, you may not necessarily get all the right information you need, but it forces you to divert your attention away from your internal anxiety towards what's happening around you. And then when you feel more comfortable doing that, you could start only taking notes of what you think is important, and then finally you'll be comfortable enough to just sit there and listen without problems.

If you're still struggling and feel like you can't cope, talk to a counsellor or a teacher you trust who'll be able to help you 🙂

But don't stress too much about uni now, you're only in year 11! Just concentrate on yourself and your learning experiences and enjoy your last precious moments of high school, even the non-academically related parts ;-). 

Remember, at the end of the day, school is all about your personal learning and growth, not how good your grades are!

I hope I've somewhat been of help here, 

Wishing you all the best of luck! 🙂 x

[geoff]

dear Skw, I found that year 11 was worse than year 12, but I'm talking about a lot of years ago, but with these years at school all they do is make you try and remember so many things, probably except for maths and science, but say for history you have to cram everything into your head and hope that you can remember it all when the exams come along, and after the exams have finished then everything is lost, goes away into oblivion, so the whole system should be changed, however that's not the point here.
The interesting point you have made is that you say 'I can go to uni at anytime', then you could either take the year off or go to uni where the stress and pressure is no where as much as being at school, but the problem maybe coming from another reason, and that's what your doctor could tell you, by having a blood test and asking you a few questions.
Your mum isn't putting any pressure on you, as this does happen many times to other students, so this is something which is good, but there are all these issues which you need to think about, talk about with your mum, doctor and teacher.
I'm sure that you would normally do well in maths, but because you have failed only sets a bad example in your mind, but in fact you're not as you would normally excell in this topic.
I have mentioned in a post before you that you should google the K-10 test which is an indicator of whether or not you could be depressed, so I would do this test a few times before you see your doctor.
Please let us know how you get on. Geoff.

[Elizabeth CP]

I am sorry you are struggling so much. I remember one year at school really struggling in maths. Normally a subject I was good at. I found the more I tried the more I worried & the worse I felt. This anxiety led to a downward spiral of feeling like a failure making things worse. I have seen the same thing happen with other students I have taught or tutored so it is not uncommon.  I asked for extra help out of class from the teacher. In my case a few sessions helped me understand the concepts I was struggling with & I regained my confidence which then impacted positively on the rest of my schooling. As a tutor I have also helped students out of this cycle by helping them with the work they were struggling with. I also found when I was working too hard & not taking time to do anything I enjoyed my results suffered. I became mentally tired & less efficient so the more I worked the less I achieved. 

My advice to you is speak to your teachers in the subjects you are struggling with & get some extra help. By speaking to them they are then aware you are trying & can assist rather than assume you are being lazy. Hopefully this will allow you to start to succeed & break out of the downward cycle. Also it is essential you make time to do things you enjoy to refresh your mind. Hopefully this helps you get back on track or you can find time to think what you really want to do. University is not the only option. There are many careers which might be more satisfying which don't require university. Good luck