Seeking a Little Time for Myself
I’m currently stuck in a school that demands around 10-16 hours of classes each day. I arrive at 7 AM and don’t leave until 9 PM. The only breaks I get are six hours of 10-minute intervals that are often too short to even make it to the restroom. The school monopolizes every moment of my time and even has us back every Sunday at 3 PM, all for middle school.
I feel like I have no personal time to recharge or escape the exhaustion. While I understand the importance of studying, the curriculum feels repetitive, teaching concepts I could easily find in textbooks. Instead of helping us prepare for exams, they bombard us with endless worksheets that rarely aid in learning. It’s frustrating because my grades won’t improve significantly whether I complete all these assignments or not.
Despite all this, I’m stuck in this routine. I find myself staying up late just to indulge in my own interests, which only worsens my exhaustion. I’m also dealing with ongoing issues with my homeroom teacher.
I’m desperately seeking advice on how to cope with this situation and manage to do something fulfilling while stuck in this exhausting school environment for 16 hours straight. Any tips would be highly appreciated!
P.S. It’s really late, and I’m feeling under the weather, so please excuse any clumsy phrasing. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my concerns—just keep things constructive! And remember, I’m only in middle school, so I hope you won’t judge me too harshly. Thanks! 😅
It sounds like you’re going through an incredibly tough time, and I’m really sorry to hear that. Balancing such a heavy school schedule with your personal life is not easy, especially at a young age. Here are a few thoughts that might help you navigate this challenging situation:
Prioritize Self-Care: Even in a busy schedule, try to carve out small moments for yourself. This could be a few minutes of deep breathing, listening to music, or even a quick walk during your breaks to clear your mind.
Communicate: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider talking to a trusted teacher or a school counselor about what you’re experiencing. They might be able to provide support or suggest changes to your workload.
Stay Organized: Use a planner or an app to organize your tasks. This can help you track what’s important and avoid feeling like everything is piling up.
Limit “Personal Stuff” Late at Night: I understand that you turn to personal activities to cope with stress, but try to set a cutoff time for these activities. Maybe pick one or two days a week where you allow yourself to stay up a bit later, but try to keep consistent sleep hours otherwise.
Study Smart: Focus on studying efficiently. Sometimes it helps to study in shorter, focused bursts rather than trying to cover everything at once. Quality over quantity can make a difference.
Find a Support System: Reach out to friends who may feel similarly. Sharing experiences can lessen the burden and provide you with new coping strategies.
Explore Options: If this school experience is truly unsustainable, it might be worth looking into other educational options or programs that might suit your learning style better.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in feeling this way, and it’s okay to express what you’re going through. You’re doing your best, and taking small steps towards bettering your situation can lead to positive changes over time. Hang in there!