I can’t stand school/college

For most people when reflecting on their time at school they will admit to moments where they felt bored or demotivated but when you find yourself dreading the prospect of going to school/college every morning and it's an experience that leaves you feeling distressed, upset and frozen with fear then it can become a daily battle. It's isolating and that sense of constant pressure can be physically exhausting too. Even more so when you see friends and classmates succeeding in their school work and openly enjoying the experience of being in education. It can leave you thinking, why me?

You might already know and be able to identify the specific triggers and understand exactly what it is that's upsetting you. You might be experiencing bullying or going through mental health challenges that your teachers aren't aware of. Sometimes the prolonged distress can feel too much and you might find yourself beginning to withdraw and avoid the situation altogether. If you are reading this and it sounds like something that you're going through right now see some of the tips and advice below that might be helpful for you to try and move forwards and hopefully feel a little better.

Communication is the biggest piece of advice I can give you. A problem shared is a problem halved. It could be a conversation with a trusted parent or carer or you might have a preferred teacher who you feel comfortable talking to. By beginning to voice the darkness that you are feeling and carrying within, it can help to allow some light to come through. You might be at a stage where talking aloud about your struggles feels like one step too far. That's okay- why not write a letter or send a text message? Explain that you are struggling and would appreciate some space to try and open up about what is going on. You matter and how you are feeling is important and whilst it takes a lot of bravery to share how you are feeling it could be the best decision you make.

You might already have an idea about what it is that you need to support you at school or college i.e. -1 classroom support, a referral to the school or college counselling service, spending time with the pastoral care team or perhaps you feel as though you need more clinical treatment and so a referral to CAMHS would be the best option. But it's okay to not know straight away what you need. You can discuss the options and explore other ideas with your trusted person. There are incredibly kind people out there who are willing to take the time and help you. Be brave!

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Advice from Young Minds for young people not coping with school

Visit our external services page for information on organisations who might be able to help you further.