By Kene Nzelu, student writer
Summer is supposed to be a time of carefree relaxation, but some of us who have finished the school year might not be feeling this way. Maybe you had a rough year and didn’t achieve everything you wanted to.
Maybe you had trouble finding people to hang out with at school. Whatever the case, don’t be upset. You’re not alone. No one is perfect and a lot more people than you think are going through the same thing
It’s okay if things didn’t go perfectly this school year.
Life is never perfect, and a big part of life is figuring out how to adapt to the situation even when things don’t turn out your way. You wouldn’t be pushed out of your comfort zone if life, specifically, your school year, had been perfect. Instead of thinking about how horrible this past school year might’ve been, think about what you could do differently next year.
Summer Game Plan
Work on changing your perspective on school and your classmates. If you change your mindset about the situation, things might get better. Spend this summer coming up with a game plan.
According to TeenLife.com, an online platform committed to directing teenagers to opportunities that prepare . them for success in life, in order to keep your stress levels down “make sleep a priority” and “know the danger signs of teen stress and depression in yourself and your friends.”
Ask For Help
If you need help managing your stress levels and balancing the obligations in your life, ask for help from people who you trust like family members and your guidance counselor.
Starting today, have a positive mindset that you are going to make the most of your school year when it starts in September. Believe that you will find people that . will add to your vision of your ideal school year instead of taking away from it with drama and tension.
If you think like this, then you won’t be upset if you aren’t fitting in with a certain group of people. You would know that they aren’t the group of people for you. Then you would find it easier to meet other people who share your interests. During times when you can’t find people to hang out with, there isn’t anything wrong with hanging out by yourself.
You can have fun doing the things that you know you love — whether it’s reading, singing, playing soccer or basketball, writing, or more.
Whenever I enter a new environment, my mom always tells me that I should keep on doing the things that I love and the right friends will come at the right time. She is right, and this happens time and time again. I eventually find people that I enjoy talking to. My mom’s advice was especially helpful when I started high school.
Have the Right Mindset
Having the right mindset in school can help you later in life — whether in college or in the workplace. If you’re feeling discouraged that this school year didn’t go the way you wanted it to, keep in mind that you aren’t the only one who feels this way.
I had times at the end of the school year when I wanted the next school year to be better, and this actually motivated me to try and make the next school year better.
Turn the frustration you’re feeling into motivation and determination to make the next school year the best year yet. Work hard over the summer to prepare to achieve those things you want to in school, but also don’t forget to leave out time for fun.
Remember, that you shouldn’t be focused on fitting in at school. Be yourself. Be your own
person and you will find people who support you and care about you. Cappex, an online platform that helps students get to college, suggests that when trying to make new friends in high school, you should “be patient, because you’ll find your place at school soon enough.”
I hope this advice helps you, and I hope you remember it over the summer if you feel tempted to be discouraged about the previous school year and about school in general.
Have a fun and wonderful summer!
Nzelu is a rising senior at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge.