HATES HER NEW SCHOOL

Dear Jellybean,

I had been going to my old school for nine years no which would be K-8th and my 8th grade year was really hard for me and i didnt want to go through a hard year like that again. So I had to make this really hard decision about whether to go or to stay and I decided to go to my new school. Well once I had made my decision and it got closer to the first day of school I knew I had made the wrong decision, there was no way I could go back to my old school this year. So when the first day(half day) of school came along I met a girl that wants to be my friend but I dont really like her. When the day was finished I hated it and when I got home I cried all night. The second day of school came and I thought I was starting to like it more but then after lunch came and it was horrible I couldnt get any of the work. At my old school in 8th grade I usually had a lot of homework and so I though if I came to an easier school I wouldnt have a lot but then the second day I had every subject and my backpack was heavier than last year. On the car ride I started crying because I knew I wasnt going to make it through the rest of the year if I couldnt even make it through the secondd day. Well jellybean I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to my problems.
-Depressed Student

Dear Depressed Student,

I have so been there! And what I can tell you from experience is, give your new school more of a chance to get better. I used to do the same summer job every year. Then a couple of years ago I decided to try a new one, because the old one was getting hard and sort of annoying. The moment I got to the new job, I hated it! I didn't like the people, or the atmosphere, and I found it just as hard - if not harder - as the old one. I went home and cried, knowing I couldn't go back to my old job, and thinking I had totally ruined my summer and maybe my life.

But here's the thing - after 2 or 3 weeks, suddenly things started to look up. Someone invited me to join an after-work club thingy that people from work went to, and I got to know a few people better. I got more used to the job and the office surroundings, and it started to feel easier to be there. By the end of the summer 2 months later, I knew that I would be coming back next year - I totally loved it there!

So my advice to you is, don't freak out and decide right away that your new school sucks. Get to know it better, and give yourself time to get used to things. Changing schools is a HUGE deal - give yourself a break! Yyou have to figure out where everything is located, you need to get used to new teachers, and you have to figure out where you fit into the whole social thing. Of course you're feeing panicky - that's a lot to deal with, and it can be overwhelming. But once you get used to the massive change, after a few weeks, you'll start to be able to see all the great things about the place you are.

If you need tips on making friends at your new school, be sure to check out my article on the subject at this link: Making Friends. If the homework or classroom work seems impossible, talk to your teachers and let them know you're struggling. There is help available if you ask.

Above all, have faith in yourself! You can absolutely make it through the year - the first few days are the toughest for sure, and if you can live through them, it will get easier and easier. Just hang in there, ask for help when you need it, and give your new school a chance to become a place you enjoy being.