My Senior Year Isn’t Going Well
Honestly, all my classes are frustrating, and there’s only one teacher who actually knows how to teach.
It’s not that the material is hard—it’s just tedious and annoying.
Take my Spanish teacher, for example. He’s an old-school instructor from Colombia who constantly compares everything to how great it is there, rather than engaging with what we need to learn here. His method involves showing us visuals, playing songs, and making us copy notes, assuming that will somehow lead to understanding. I’m sorry, but that’s not how effective teaching works—he rarely takes the time to explain concepts and seems uninterested in using modern technology. He’s also confrontational and values “winning” arguments over genuine teaching. His vague instructions leave us confused about what we need to do, and he won’t even provide access to our assignments.
Then there’s my Film Production class. It sounds exciting, but with a teacher who just sits at his desk and talks incessantly, it quickly turns into a bore. He reads the instructions aloud, which we can already see, yet contributes nothing of value. We get barely 10 minutes to work after his long lectures, and his organization (or lack thereof) is maddening. Assignments are posted online in a chaotic manner, making it a struggle to find what we need. To top it off, most of the class struggles to focus, and only a few students are able to keep up.
As for English 12, I can handle the workload; it’s just time-consuming. However, the teacher’s approach leaves much to be desired. He seems eager to help but fails to provide actual support. After taking his online class last semester, I found I understood the material much better.
On a positive note, my Computer class is going well. The teacher is great—his instructions are clear, he balances guidance with freedom, and he knows how to maintain discipline. His classes are engaging, and I’m receiving good grades.
Getting back to the negatives, my Video Production teacher is straightforward, emphasizing that he values effort over grades—but this results in assignments that feel trivial and easily completed. I don’t have strong feelings toward him, but his approach contributes to my overall dissatisfaction.
Finally, there’s Government and Economics. I barely scraped through Government and have already failed Economics within weeks.
There’s really nothing good about this year. I’ve tried repeatedly to change my classes, but it seems I never had options to begin with. I wish I could take most classes online because the in-person experience has been frustrating, and it’s looking like I might have to retake summer school to graduate.
I don’t have friends—never really have. I haven’t experienced what many describe as the typical high school social life.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way during your senior year. It sounds incredibly frustrating to deal with teachers who aren’t engaging or supportive, especially when you’re trying your best to learn. It’s clear you have some valid concerns about the teaching methods and classroom dynamics in your classes, and it’s tough to feel like you’re stuck in a situation where you’re not getting the education you deserve.
Have you had a chance to talk to a trusted teacher, counselor, or administrator about your concerns? They might be able to help you find a solution or suggest alternatives, especially regarding your classes and the online options. Sometimes schools have resources or programs that can help make your situation a little better.
I get that not having friends adds to the isolation you’re feeling. Navigating senior year can be tough, but it might be worth looking into clubs or activities that interest you; it could be a way to meet people with similar interests.
Remember, you’re not alone in this experience, even if it feels that way. It’s totally valid to seek out environments that are more conducive to your learning and growth. Hang in there; this tough time will eventually pass.