High School...

[AndrewDSteele]

I am not sure how much more of this I can take.

I am a sophomore right now, and it is just getting ridiculous. I get woken up at 6:00 every morning by my dad, stumble around my bedroom until my eyes stop hurting just enough for me to be able to walk into the living room, get into the bathroom, take a shower, get out, get dressed, go to school, learn the same crap ive been learning for years, come home, come on this website until 10:30, go to sleep, and do it again.

Every day during school I am picked on constantly. Not because of looks, or my "attitude" or anything of this nature. I don't know why I am picked on. They used to call me names to see the reaction, but now I no longer react. Now they have gotten into calling me thing synonymous with the word "homosexual" which, and I do not mean any disrespect to the homosexual community, is a little bit embarrassing when around people I do not want to get the wrong idea of me.

I take it, because I these people are all I have. For me, they are the difference between emotion and no emotion. I have few friends, because I prefer not making so many of them because that leads to people like these. I do not see any of my real friends during the day. These people are under the impression that I am there friend merely to humor them, and because I don't want to come across as the person with no friends.

The truth is I really do not like these people. I dont like them at all. Last year I tried just not talking to them, but they bring me in to every thing they say. I just mind my own business when they think it would be cute or funny to bring me into a conversation. It is actually very degrading.

I get mentally abused every day, emotionally abused every day, and physically abused every day, and it won't stop for two more years. By physically abused I mean the exhaustion I get from waking up so early every day.

I could keep taking this, I am sure. But I do not want to. I hate this so much. I am noticeably smarter than the other kids (Not to be conceited, I do not say this in school and just need a sanctuary xD) I have a far better memory than them, and I am almost always the one that the kids who pick on me come to for help. Only one of them is even close to being on par with me on these levels. I do not give a ♥♥♥♥♥ about school anymore (grades) because I see no point. I remember everything I have learned in every class I have taken since 1st grade. I have been learning near exactly the same information for 3 years. Those who disagree with me here: You would be VERY suprised.


Any tips on what I should do? I haven't ever had a physical confrontation with anyone in the school before (Meaning a fight) because I am afraid of the consequences, although I know I could win against any of these kids. I would prefer not to, though.

THanks,
Andrew D Steele

[Michelle]

I just want to give you a hug because it sounds like what you need and deserve.

More to come later ...

[jimbos123456]

Yep I sympathize with you the bureaucrats intuitively know it's their job to promote obedience indoctrination, social elitism, and the favoring of certain groups over others. Maybe they feel bad deep down inside, but the six figure money is too good for them. Plus they probably want to avoid drama and lawsuits, so they almost never enforce their "zero tolerance" policies in my experience.

Worthless bureaucrats making six figures
Do local school execs earn too much? - Auburn Journal.



For the most part they are a spineless lot interested in working their easy overpaid desk jobs at your parents expense, and your expense after you start paying taxes. If you can access it a lot of states have proficiency tests where you can leave high school early, go straight to community college, and transfer to university. Unfortunately a lot of what they teach in college is useless as well. Just tell them what they want to hear and stroke their egos, so you can get what you want and be on your merry way! At least on the flip side they'll probably lose their jobs as state budgets collapse.

[ssandra]

I´m not sure how it works where you live, but in the Netherlands you could do the exams on your own if you wish to.

Maybe this is something that you could discuss with your parents, that they give you 6 months to prepare and then do the tests so you can get out of school sooner.

If it doesn´t work you only lost 6 monts, which is ok if you have good grades. You can catch up on that.

And if it does work, you are done with school in 6 months.

[Michelle]

Take a look into doing a one year exchange to a less stupid country. I did it, and stayed . My tip is the Rotary Club (most areas have them). As far as I know you are only responsible for paying airfare and your host club in the foreign country will normally even give you a small monthly allowance (I got about $50 in 1996).

If you can't do something to change your situation the best thing to do is accept it while making plans concerning your future adulthood. Learn from the mistakes of those around you, try to make a list each day of what is good in your current situation (law of attraction will always send you more of what you focus on) ... express your gratitude for the good things. Most of us have at least one good person in our life. Make the conscious choice to spend more time with that person.

You could also consider changing schools for a fresh start and perhaps a more challenging curriculum. Whatever you do, it is better to take empowered action toward a life you want than to sit helplessly allowing others to beat up on you. I would only do this if you really believe a new location is the answer. Sometimes we have to stick it out where we are while we work on ourselves (confidence, self-worth, self-love, etc).

Also, get yourself some help. I was beaten and bullied all through school. too. I was sensitive, vulnerable, not pretty and couldn't/wouldn't defend myself. If I could go back I would have told every single teacher and every single parent and every single person who crossed my path about what was happening to me. I would ring bells and whistles to rally the support around me. If no one seemed to listen, I would go to the authorities and do everything peaceful in my power to help myself. There is always someone higher up. If you tell enough people (and don't let anyone blame you for making noise about it!) you will find help.

There are websites out there which offer strategies concerning dealing with bullies. It might be worth doing some research.

Good for you for finding these forums. Stick with them, and you can gain a more positive perspective along with some healthy and helpful connections to support you on your path.

[ar81]

A good strategist knows about being patient.
You will not be in high school forever.
So graduate and become minister of education and reform that crappy system.

I have met VIPs in the past, and they do not mistreat an ordinary guy like me. Why should a low rank worker mistreat you? Am I a VIP or rich person? Not at all. I do not even have a car. My job is low rank and ordinary.

I bet you may feel it is impossible or unlikely to become a minister right now, but as years pass you will see that you can do it. Just be patient.
Today you fear, tomorrow they will, not because you will mistreat them, but because you will be powerful. And be prepared to make good use of the power you will have. Do not abuse of it.

The day you are powerful, and the day you will need to follow my advise, you will remember me. It may take some years, but certainly you will be there.

Be certain that you do not deserve to be abused. Your misison in life is not to suffer. They are trying to make you be another brick on the wall, but certainly they do not know you will be the one who will put down the Berlin wall.

Start to think about what needs to be reformed, think about their modus operandi. Provide support to others who are abused, generate leadership, be the captain so others will follow you. There will be a time when you are out and free, and then you will enjoy freedom. Your chances to reform are higher if you become a minister than if you use violence.

[carenkh]

Have you read The Teenage Liberation Handbook? Lots of great ideas for dropping out of school and getting a real education. Maybe your parents would be on board with this? I don't know the laws where you live, but they could register you as a homeschooler if they needed to.

There's a really large community of unschooled teens - people you could choose to spend time with, rather than being forced to.

[ar81]

Do not drop out of school. People with less education are more likely to be poor. Globalization globalized job markets too. So you may have to compete with people from other countries, who are cheaper. So what kind of advantage do you plan to have in this race?

[MidasGirl]

Originally Posted by AndrewDSteele

Any tips on what I should do? Any tips on what I should do? I haven't ever had a physical confrontation with anyone in the school before (Meaning a fight) because I am afraid of the consequences, although I know I could win against any of these kids. I would prefer not to, though.

THanks,
Andrew D Steele

You could talk your parents into looking at alternative schooling in your area. Some community colleges will also let you take some college classes while in High School. Certainly an international exchange program like Michelle suggested would perhaps be great to break your boredom.......

The other thing I noticed is that you don't mention any after-school activities you engage in. Why not find a sports activity you are passionate about? Music? Anything but "just school and computer".

[fountainAtlas]

Some poeple find that when they work out they feel beter. Try some phiscal activity. Can be as simple as a short walk. Living on forums isn't the best way to learn how to deal in social situation, even sitting at starbucks just observing people will give you some benefit.

Maybe your diet is wrong and making you sad.... Find a joy in your life (i know it is hard, im still looking for mine and im 25) keep searching don't give up man.


-FountainAtlas

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by ar81

Do not drop out of school. People with less education are more likely to be poor. Globalization globalized job markets too. So you may have to compete with people from other countries, who are cheaper. So what kind of advantage do you plan to have in this race?

Not to derail this thread further, but this is schooled propaganda. Many adults are doing better than fine, having gotten their GED, a homeschool diploma while unschooling, or through living their passion without going to school. "People with less education are more likely to be poor" is one of those wide-open blanket statements that have very little to do with a real person, living a real life, with choices and opportunities.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by carenkh

Not to derail this thread further, but this is schooled propaganda. Many adults are doing better than fine, having gotten their GED, a homeschool diploma while unschooling, or through living their passion without going to school. "People with less education are more likely to be poor" is one of those wide-open blanket statements that have very little to do with a real person, living a real life, with choices and opportunities.

You know I agree with you, caren, but there is a difference between "switching to homeschooling or alternative educations" and "dropping your education".

[ThoughtAddict]

Look into local college courses. Most high schools are willing to bend over backwards for students taking college courses so long as they fulfill the bare requirements to graduate. I did this my senior year and finished high school with 17 hours of college courses, plus AP test credits and various other college credits via testing. Had I gone to school in the same state, the credits would have transferred and I'd have started college as a sophomore. The classes were more of a challenge, and it got me out of high school at 12 everyday. You may be able to find something similar.

Something I considered before finding the above option was dropping out into college. Take the ACT and SAT and aggressively pursue colleges. Many private schools will see a kid with initiative, good grades, and high scores and offer them admission pending graduation or high school equivalency. You can then take the GRE and skip the rest of high school. Look for either large universities used to unusual circumstances or small private schools who pride themselves on academics above tradition. Either way, plug into the admissions folks during their recruiting season (i.e. now) and you may have some luck.

Either way, find a passion. For me, community theater was a refuge and an outlet (not to mention a haven for pretty, creative girls ). I know others who did political clerkships or legal clerkships. All of us were escaping the mundane.

One last little bit: I know it is hard. I was laughed at and insulted, too. A part of me got very angry. It was easy to be angry and play loud music and be antisocial. It also didn't help my life. Instead, I made the smartest decision of my life. I let my anger fuel action. I channeled my anger not toward the people, but toward their actions. I swore I would find a way out. And I worked furiously to escape that kind of treatment and those kinds of actions. Long story short, it worked. The world was much, much wider than folks in high school imagined. It was much bigger than I could have imagined. And, oh my, it is beautiful!
It will be beautiful for you too.

[KtotheB]

Hi Andrew,

I felt EXACTLY the same when I was in high school - I really hated it. I didn't fit in and I felt like the whole environment was not conducive to learning. Most of the material we were learning was redundant and un-useable in my life. Even though I was super-intelligent, I hated the environment so much that I skipped a lot of classes and my grades suffered as a result.

I resolved this problem by finding an independent study program that allowed me to finish high school from the comfort of my own home. I graduated a year earlier than my classmates and with straight A's. Perhaps there is a program like this where you live? I had to really search for it, because the "adults" just wanted to keep me in school.

As for the not fitting in part, you'll discover that the people that don't fit in in high school will turn out to be the coolest, most successful, richest, and most innovative people 5 or 10 years from now. It is these people who don't care about fitting in that have the courage to be themselves, and transform into leading edge thinkers and groundbreaking entrepreneurs (people like Steve, Erin... and me xo!).

The people that are making fun of you are doing so because deep inside they feel self-conscious and need to put you down to boost themselves up. So next time they are making fun, just remember than inside they are just scared and probably feel intimidated by you because you are ok being different. People are afraid of "different" because it reminds them of their potential.

So believe in yourself, and send me a msg if you want some more info on the home schooling.

big hugs! xoxox!
kb

[joelyle]

• set your alarm and get up before 6 AM (5:45AM)...that way you are responsible. Better still get up early and do something you enjoy...in that way you are starting your day off right vs. being startled.
• When the kids make sexual orientation statements: nod your head yes and say: "you have a sexual dysfunction don't you?".

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by aelle

You know I agree with you, caren, but there is a difference between "switching to homeschooling or alternative educations" and "dropping your education".

Absolutely. And I know that unschooling doesn't look anything like any kind of education, at least not from a schooled perspective. Most kids who stop going to school need some deschooling time to find themselves again, find out what makes THEM tick. But I don't even know if that's an option for Andrew! So maybe to appease the parents, it would need to be some kind of alternative formal learning.

[minsera]

Hi Andrew

I felt quiet the same way through high school, but insted of geting nasty coments I was ignored to the point that my classmates only talked to me if they needed help or if we got group projects. In my class I was just average smart, but then again, to get into the high school you want in Norway, you get to have good grades from junior high, and I got into the high school that was labeled for smart people... I sufferd in two years with the stuck up people in my class, and swiched school the last year, to the nabor school (3min walk between), where people didn't care who you was, as long as you treated them with respect, but I still had half of my classes in the first school, so I got my math, physics and biology in mixed classes at the "smart" school(15 school hours) and norwegian, history, religion and P.E (15 school hours) on the other school, and my situation got better.

About you feeling that you already now the stuff you learn, ask the teacher about giving you harder questions, or if you can take something beside the normal stuff.
And about you exhaustion, I would advise you to find somthing you like to do, which would become something to look forward too. Take me as an eksampel, I love to draw, and draws alot when I got time. I used to use my lunch time to draw, just to brighten up my day. Just try something like drawing, reading, sports, music or computers. It's alot of possibillities, just find some kind of activety you find interesting, which you also enjoy doing.
and about the names issue... if you don't give them any reaction, they'll get bored and in the end stop. I have no good advise about it, I'm sorry...

Now that I have graduated I got into the artschool I wanted all along, and are happy.
2 to 3 years in misery was worth it, even trough it seemed dark right then. Just remember that it exist other possibillities, and try to do something about it.

Hope your situation gets better, and remember whatever you choose, don't drop out and good luck! ^^