Should I go back to my old school?

[Brixton_Jane]

Hi,

I moved to a selective high school at the start of this year. It was a struggle to decide whether or not I should go because I loved and had good connections/reputation/results at my old school but ultimately we decided last minute to go for it because it was a good opportunity. Now I'm half a year in and doing quite well academically, I have a few good friends but I've noticed a severe dip in my mental health, to the point my parents are very worried. The new school doesn't feel the same and it's making me quite unhappy and anxious to get out the door everyday. I don't know if my mental health with withhold for the next 3 and a half years under the intense pressure the school has, especially during VCE.

My Mum has contacted my old school and they say they are happy to take me back in term 4 of this year, so I wouldn't be missing out on too much. This news made me very happy but now I'm struggling with the decision again. My current school has such a good academic reputation so I feel like I'm failing by leaving. My old school is worse academically but it's not too bad. many people have reassured me that "bright kids flourish anywhere" and to "put my mental health first". I really want to stop feeling unhappy but also feel intensely guilty about leaving again. Will my old school take me back even? WIll I flourish the same?

Please help.

[TrueSeeker]

Hello

I can see how hard this decision is for you. I agree with others that mental health is very important. I can see that something is putting pressure on you that creates anxiety and it makes it hard to get out the door everyday. I think it's worth it to have a closer look at what creates that pressure to help you with your decision as this pressure might stay where ever you go. It might help a lot to find a peaceful place where you can relax, clear your mind and see what is causing your anxiety. Also just a change on its own can create discomfort as it does take a while to settle in a new situation.

I hope that this helped a little bit with your decision and you find a way how to make things easier

[Guest_77329927]

Hey,

I understand your struggle because I was also selected for a selective school, But my parents were debating whether to send me to the catchment school or to the selective school. ultimately they sent me to a selective school and I am in my first year of high school now in year 7 and I am quite enjoying it. I also recommend that if you are struggling mentally, you should seek help if you think that it is really bad, and secondly, you are definitely not failing by leaving your old school behind. selective schools are very hard to get into and I know because I took the selective test in 2024 and it was no walk in the park, so i think it is a very reasonable decision that you have made and I think your feelings are very valid. I wrote this post to say that you are not alone. Hope this makes you feel a bit better.