School can be challenging, especially high school. You are learning various topics that cover many subjects. There are also numerous requirements needed to graduate like standardized exams that require a certain score to pass. For many of us, outside factors like family, finances, culture, and mental wellbeing make excelling at school even harder. Students who face challenges may stop talking to their peers, start missing school/class frequently, and even experience anxiety when they begin to fall behind. All of this together ends up affecting our performance. It is overwhelming to know that after high school you will be moving onto another important part of your life whether that be in the school world or real world. 

My high school years were filled with ups and downs, but school has been the most important experience in my life. Because it was tough for me at times, I want to share some things I learned from my time in high school in the hope that it doesn’t have to be so hard for you. I want to ensure other students who face struggles like I did can explore different pathways. Hopefully, this advice will help make it easier to advocate for yourself when school gets tough.

Use your voice. It is sometimes difficult to share that you need help in school. But, teachers and school staff are there to make sure you do well. This may take time to feel comfortable opening up, but it is worth it. Your voice matters and deserves attention. Once you start voicing your concerns and sharing your problems, others can help meet your needs.

Go the extra mile. When there aren’t any solutions in plain sight, you have to put in more effort. Attending tutoring is a great way to get more individualized help. If your school doesn’t offer tutoring sessions, your teachers can often pair you with an older student to help you learn the material. You can also look into afterschool programs, extra credit assignments, and remedial classes to improve your academic performance.

Reach out. Getting your parents or legal guardians involved in your education can make a big difference. They can provide emotional and academic support. The more people on your side, the more likely you are to get what you need. You should also consider meeting with a healthcare professional, counselor, or teacher. They can help determine what may be affecting your learning and diagnose learning disabilities you may have. These professionals can help provide accommodations, therapy, and tips to ensure that your learning difficulties don’t prevent you from doing well.

Don’t give up. In between the homework assignments and class activities, school may seem never ending. But, you can conquer school! What you learn in high school can take you many places after you graduate. There are so many options that you can explore once you start advocating for yourself and excel.

Know that school is just one part of your experience. These tips can help you in the classroom and be applied in other parts of your life. If you want to explore more content about school and topics affecting young people, don’t forget to follow YE4C for more content for youth, by youth.

Additional Resources

YE4C Education and Career Toolkit

Five Tips for Tackling Changes to Your School/Work Routine

Understood.org