I’m feeling really hopeless right now. It seems like everyone has given up on me passing my classes.
The other day, my mom asked if I’ve given up on English, and when I responded “kind of,” she accepted it, which just shows how much she thinks I’m going to fail. She understands that I’m focused on improving my Biology grade, but that has left me struggling to catch up in English.
I’m on a block schedule, so I have English every day, but I’ve been getting sick often, which has really affected both my grade and motivation. My English teacher has stopped checking my work, and communicating with him is difficult, which doesn’t help at all. My dad is upset about my math performance, but in reality, I’m doing so much better than last semester. I’ve been turning everything in on time, but I forgot to finish a quiz that my teacher allowed us to do for homework. That mistake dropped my grade to where it was last semester. Now my math teacher suggests I drop to a lower level, but that would complicate my schedule even more, and I don’t want to risk getting a different teacher since I actually like him.
In Art, the grades aren’t fully updated, but I suspect I’m failing. Assignments show up as missing and are graded as F’s if not submitted on time, making it hard to know what I need to finish. Plus, they’re locked a week after the due date, and I can’t always manage to check them all in time. The assignments are graded out of 4, but no one ever gets more than a 3.7, which ultimately put me at a D+. My dad constantly reminds me that time is running out to bring my math grade up, and he’s been saying this since January. Now he’s threatening to call the school daily until they “fix” things, even though they really can’t do anything about my situation. He’s even hinted at pulling me out of school entirely. It’s frustrating because I feel like his extreme reactions are just making everything worse—they don’t motivate me; they just add more stress.
I feel trapped and really unsure of how to turn things around.
TL;DR: I’m failing English and Art, Math is a struggle; no one seems willing to help me pass; my mom has resigned herself to the idea of me failing; my dad wants to complain to the school (even though this is all on me), and I feel like time is running out.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot of pressure and challenges all at once, which can be overwhelming. First and foremost, please remember that you’re not alone in this. Many students go through tough times and feel stuck, but there is hope for improvement.
Have you considered reaching out to your teachers individually, especially your English and Art teachers? Even though it may seem daunting, explaining your situation could help them understand what you’re going through. They might offer extra help or extensions, especially if they notice you’re trying your best.
For your math class, it sounds like you’ve made progress since last semester, which is a positive sign! If your dad is concerned, maybe try having an open conversation with him about the efforts you’re putting in and how you’re managing your workload. Emphasize that you appreciate his concern but that threats of pulling you out of school only add to your stress.
As for keeping track of your assignments, putting together a checklist or using a planner could be helpful to stay organized and see what still needs to be done. Setting small, achievable goals might also make things feel less overwhelming. Focus on one assignment at a time, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help — whether it’s from friends, tutors, or family.
Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s okay to struggle, and recognizing that you need help is a significant first step. Keep pushing forward, and take each day one step at a time. You’ve got this!