Teen Stress?

Question

I'm 15, sophomore. I would like to know how to deal with stress in school. I compete in Fencing in the Junior Olympics and after school, I need to go to fencing practice for 2 hours. Then there is an outside academy for training with a Olympic Black Star elite coach in a private lesson. The reason I mention the titles is to point out how heavy the physical and mental exertion is. I also have a few advanced honors class courses and an getting Cs in them. I also volunteer 8 hours at a Hospital on Sundays. Can someone help me make a decision? I like fencing and volunteering, but it's stressful.
I also have friendship and dating issues with a girl who "dumped" me recently. My homework is usually unfinished, and I need to just relax.
My favorite hobbies are Art, listening to music, video games, reading, talking, or watching TV. I dropped art even though I had a scholarship because I don't have time for it.
My family has issues and my father is almost never home.
I think I might snap.
Help?

Answer 1

WOAH WOAH WOAH!!! Relax jeeze. Ok I'll admit that what you just said is a heck of a load of work, and you do need to make a decision cause you can't keep going on like that. Try volunteering at the hospital every other weekend, you also need to pursue what you like. If you want to fence then fence but do you want to give up an art scholarship and doing something you really like to do for fencing. It all comes down to choosing which is what makes 15 such a hecktic time. you can't do it all trust me, but if your G/f and I use that term lightly really likes you maybe she could help relieve some of your stress. maybe even help you with your homework or something. The point is you can't do all this alone so either get someone else or you will have to drop something. hope that was a help.

Answer 2

Ask yourself what is really important to you. The stuff that you like but are not obsessed with just drop those. I do a lot of stuff but later dropped out of a few do to a crammed schedule. Do you really like the girl who dumped you? Remember your friends should like you for who you are and not like your appearance or other stuff. Could you possibly volunteer less on Sundays. Talk with your parents and tell them what you think. They just might listen and help. Organize a schedule. Pay attention in class and maybe take notes. Try to leave some time right before and after you sleep so you can calm down and plan your next step. You cannot have more than 1 extracurricular activity a day and not be hectic. Think about Jesus, he preached and healed people like crazy but everyday he found time to pray. The trick is the stay positive, organized, having enough sleep and self-control.

Answer 3

Wow!

It never fails to amaze me just how much stress talented young people, such as yourself, are under!

Please hang in there and:

1. Talk to your counselor in your school. They're usually pretty good about helping students to work through this stuff.

2. It's all too common for talented students to take on WAY too many responsibilities (the whole: I'll never get a scholarship to "XYZ" Ivy league university if I don't ...")

*Cut back on the hours at the hospital (don't dump it, just cut back a little)

*Pick a fencing coach you can really "click" with, and stay with that one, if you can (It really doesn't ,matter how many titles they have before/after their name, if you can't effectively train with them, you're wasting your time and money).

*Evaluate where your likes/desires are at this stage. You're still finding your way in life, and you're just going to slide away from some things, and towards other interests)

*Girls leave. That's just the way it is.

Bottom line: What would you tell your best friend to do, if they were in your situation?

Best wishes for a cool, and rewarding life.

I wish I had more students like you!

Answer 4

Sounds to me like you need a break to stop and think about priorities. Tough to do when parents aren't supportive. The fact that your family "has issues, and your father is never home" tells me that they are probably trying their best to maintain their standard of living as well as see that you get what you need. (Or what they think you need) Not the same thing. You may have to get away from your family for a while and that is one of the tragedies of modern American life. When my Dad got into trouble at home with his brothers, he was sent to a nearby city to live with his aunt and uncle. It gave him a break from family stresses and enabled him to decide what he wanted to do with his life. I didn't get that chance, and many young people will never get it either. Too young to join the military. Not religious enough to join a monastery. This, I believe, is one of the root causes of drug and alcohol abuse in America. Choose one or two activities that you find most stressful and give them up. My choice for you would be to forget about girls for a while, until after college, maybe, and lessen those unproductive activities like TV, etc. I don't know what more to add. Everyone's life is different. What might have worked for someone else may not work for you. Remember, prioritize your life! Best wishes...

Answer 5

well do u plan to scholarship on fencing in college?

okay jsut sit back and relax...tell ur mom u want a break for a few weeks to straighten out....finish ur hmwrk relax have fun..then slowly work ur way back in..maybe consider not training as much for fencing or volunteering 2-4 hours instead of 8....jsut begin to prioritze.....what helps me is when i create a list of what i need to do throughout the week...adn i keep adding to it, and crossing of things that are done...

dont worry, relax a bit and cool down...ur mom will understand