School Dilemma
My parent thinks that if I miss even one day of school because I’m sick, my grades will plummet from a B to an F or D. I need a way to explain that missing one day won’t drastically affect my grades. For example, today, March 17, I attended school with a runny nose, and all I could do was blow my nose and sneeze—literally non-stop. I could tell my classmates were frustrated with the constant sneezing, and honestly, I wasn’t having a good time either.
As an 11th grader, I believe one absence doesn’t spell disaster for my grades. However, my parent insists that even if I’m sick, I should still go to school because it’s their only break from me. I find that response a bit frustrating and misguided. How can I convey my point of view?
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and it’s completely reasonable that you want to take care of your health during this time. Here’s how you might explain your situation to your parent:
Acknowledge Their Concern: Start by recognizing that your parent cares about your education and future. You might say something like, “I understand that you want me to do well in school and that missing a day can feel concerning.”
Explain Your Situation: Share how you felt going to school sick. You can explain that being there when you’re not feeling well not only affects you but can also disrupt the learning environment for others. You could say, “When I went to school with a runny nose, I struggled to concentrate and I think my classmates were also distracted by my sneezing and blowing my nose.”
Discuss Attendance Policies: Mention that most schools understand that students get sick and have policies in place for absences. You can say, “I’ve checked, and one day of absence won’t hurt my overall grades. Teachers usually allow for make-up work and understand that health comes first.”
Propose a Compromise: Offer to stay in communication with your teachers about assignments or to complete any necessary work from home if you need to miss a day. You could say, “If I do miss school, I’ll reach out to my teachers for any assignments I need to catch up on. I want to stay on track with my education.”
Emphasize Self-Care: Lastly, emphasize the importance of being healthy to perform well in school. You might say, “Taking care of my health is important for my performance. If I’m feeling better, I’ll be able to focus and learn more effectively.”
By framing your feelings and thoughts this way, you might help your parent see that your absence is not something to take lightly but rather a step towards ensuring that you can perform your best in school.