School is making me depressed about everything...?

Question

I feel like I have no friends, that I'm failing school--and I have to put WAYYY too much effort.
well, the thing is, the work itself really isn't a whole lot, but I'm very slow and I've been feeling sluggish lately so I have to stay up VERY late to finish it. Which is making things even worse, cuz I get like, 3 hours of sleep each night. But I'm not taking very hard classes so there isn't a lot of work. I'm just depressed, so that makes me feel slow. What should I do?

Answer 1

Ok, a few questions for you. 1) Do you drink alot of caffeine? 2) Do you exercise? 3) Are you depressed only at school, or all the time? 4) Are you eating a healthy diet?

Ok, here is the deal.....School is hard for most people. It is hard to fit in, or to make friends, or to feel like you are getting anything done. Not getting much sleep is not going to help you at all. Also, if you drink alot of caffeine, that tends to make you really sluggish. Pair that with a poor diet and a lack of exercise, you are headed for a bad day. First, try to work on those things.....If you still feel depressed, or have any thoughts of suicide you should immediately see a doctor. There are many medications available that will help even out your moods. Or alot of times, just talking about what is bothering you helps tons. If you can find a way to fit it in, figure out something that makes you happy, sports, reading, painting, and try to fit it in your schedule when you can. They say exercise is one of the best ways to combat stress, so try to get into a Pilate's class or an aerobics class and see if that helps out! Good luck, and remember, this too shall pass!

Answer 2

About making friends: try joining a club, playing a sport, joining the band, or joining some other school program that will allow you to meet new people. If you have a hard time making new friends, start by having a basic conversation with someone you share classes with, sit next to at lunch, or whatever. A simple polite smile and a hi don't we have such and such class together can start a friendship, or at the very least a conversation.

It sounds like you have an easy workload, but you didn't mention how your grades are. If your grades are extremely low, maybe your workload isn't as easy as it you think it is, and that is why you feel like you are failing. If your grades are extremely high, maybe your workload is too easy and you are bored and that's why you feel depressed and like you are failing. If the latter is the case, try and take IP or Advanced courses, at least add one to your schedule, to make the workload a little less boring.

You need to get a good night's sleep, a lack of sleep alone will cause depression. At a minimum, you should be getting 6 hours of sleep a night and ideally you should be getting 8 or more hours of sleep a night. Try and go to bed at the same time every night and develop a normal after school routine (homework from such and such a time, hanging out with friends from such and such a time, television from such and such a time, dinner, bed, etc). A normal routine will help you feel like you are succeeding one step at a time, and everything won't seem so overwhelming.

Try to limit foods and beverages that give you temporary highs and crashing lows. These foods include anything with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and anything that contains chocolate. Beverages that contain caffeine and energy drinks should also be avoided for the same reason, they give you a temporary high and then a huge crashing low. Of course, stay away from smoking, drugs, and alcohol which can also depress you and your immune system. Add an all natural daily vitamin to your diet that will help you get some of the added energy that you need throughout the day. Take the vitamin first thing in the morning, to help give you the energy you need throughout the day.

Keep track of what you eat. Make sure that you are eating balanced meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't skip breakfast or settle for a bag of chips as lunch at school. Make sure that you are eating enough foods that will keep your body healthy including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink milk to give your body the calcium it needs. Cut out the junk food which is filled with artificial ingredients which can contribute to crashing and burning.

Finally, if you are still feeling depressed, let your parents or a school counselor know. You may have some sort of chemical imbalance in your brain, or some other disorder that is causing you to feel depressed.

Answer 3

First of all, three hours of sleep a night isn't enough for anyone, so start there. Go to bed early and make sure you are getting enough of it. Second, why don't you try asking around for a tutor. A tutor will help you stay focused on your work, therefore getting your homework completed sooner. Sometimes schools have honors students that will tutor at no cost and during your study halls. Go before or after school and ask your teachers for help. Teachers never want their students to fail. They are there to help you succeed. As for your social life, my grandma always said, that you have to be a friend to have friends. Have a small party with some kids that you know. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just a movie and popcorn at your house or maybe you can meet them at a theater and see a movie or anything. Be a little assertive and see what happens. Everyone always wants a new friend, and I am sure that there is a best friend out there just waiting for you. Good luck and hang in there, you are doing fine and things will start looking up for you.

Answer 4

Yep!! Like was said up above. Plan your day the best you can. Often times we find that we are not using good time management even when we think we are. I guarantee there is time between meals etc that is dead time. Grab the topics that you need the most work on and during, say..... dinner, have a 3X5 card out or some notes and read over them while you eat. Stuff like that makes a big difference. Dont be so hard on yourself. Everytime you feel like your in a boat all to yourself you find that there are plently of people out there with the same problems. Make sure you get your sleep. You retain more with a healthy amount of sleep.

Answer 5

make a schedule to follow every day. when you get home, have a nutritious snack and start homework RIGHT AWAY! TV and IM can wait. Do the toughest things first and it's okay to ask for help from parents or older siblings. Take a 5 minute break every hour so you can give your brain a rest. overworking causes you to not focus easily. Don't think about WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO think about WHAT YOURE DOING. Also sucking on a peppermint helps focus (it has been proven).
Friends are things you have to take care of yourself. Talk to a new , talk to people that sit by you (a lab partner etc.). Be friendly, not shy and make a good impression. Don't act tired or boring, this only makes them want to not be friends with you. Friends can also be in your neighborhood.

Answer 6

I know how you feel...A lot of times, I feel like I have no friends and that I'm so lonely. Just be yourself, and be open-minded and friends will naturally come. Just Don't give yourself away to any friends, and be careful, but don't be paranoid! As for the studies issue, if you feel it is easy, then you should put more effort into it. I know at the moment feeling very lazy, but it will pay off to get good grades, cause like half of it is based off of homework assignments. If you still feel slow and depressed, why not talk to a school counselor?

Hope I helped :+)

Answer 7

It may be possible that school itself is not causing your depression. You may actually be chemically depressed which in turn affects your school work and social life.

Depression can cause a lack of motivation which does slow activity. If you look up the symptoms of depression you will see that you are experiencing some of these symptoms.

I know that it is hard to talk to parents but maybe speak with them about your concerns. Ask if they will take you to see your primary physician. Your primary physician can refer you to a counselor or therapist to talk to. Or if you just do not feel comfortable speaking with your parents go to your school counselor. I am sure they will help you. Some high schools also have campus psychologists.

Going for help does not mean you are "crazy" or weak. You just may be experiencing a bout of slight depression as most people do at some point in their lives. Or you may have a chemical imbalance that can be treated.

Try not to deal with this on your own. You want to feel better as being a teenager is hard enough! Take care of yourself.

Answer 8

School really is the worst part of life (whatever people tell you) but luckily it is a very very short part. It will soon be over, then you can go to University or College or get a job - all of which are much, much better trust me. Just do your best and stick it out. Life will only get better from here on out! I know having a job sounds bad, 10 hours a day 6-7 days a week and no holidays, but its good because you have your own freedom, your own money and are hopefully doing something you enjoy.

Answer 9

Well first of all, make sure you're organized. Plan your day out. Make time to do everything, balance relaxation and work. When I come home from school I just chill for about a couple of hours, do my homework, study a little, then I have the rest of the evening to myself.

And then drink some coffee or Red Bull =)

Answer 10

I have the same problem. I am taking AP Psychology and thats is definitely the worst class. I spend over 2 hours studying everyday. Then, I take online quizzes and failed them miserable. I feel sluggish when I study. I try to drink milk, but my stomach gets worse. Good luck in school.