When school is a place of pain
Holly Cooke,
19th Dec 2017
Tags:
Life
Blog
Bullying
Education
Hope
“Those were the best years of my life.” “You’ll miss it when you’re gone.”
Any ideas what these quotes are referring to?
They’re things I heard, or was told when I was at high school, from adults who’d obviously had a great five years at secondary school.
The problem was, I couldn’t relate, and I still can’t, and it's been over five years since leaving school.
My time at high school definitely weren’t the best days of my life, and for many of you it won’t be either.
My time at high school definitely weren’t the best days of my life, and for many of you it won’t be either.
Whilst I was at high school it was a period of my life filled with stress, pain, sadness and worry. Bullying, bitching and bleakness were my weekly reality, and that doesn’t even include the work and exams. Maybe you understand and identify with this.
Now, at age 21, I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, things definitely get better. And the age old quote, “those were the best days of my life,” definitely isn’t true for everyone.
After a recent conversation with my cousin's girlfriend I’ve realised it wasn’t just me that struggled at school, and the reason you’re reading this article may be that you’re struggling there too.
You may feel alone, isolated, hurt, or worried, and the six hours a day you spend at school could be the reason for this.
You may feel alone, isolated, hurt, or worried, and the six hours a day you spend at school could be the reason for this. What you need to know is that you do not stand alone. There are tens of thousands of young people, students past and present, that feel the same way you do. For whom their place of education and learning doesn’t bring up any positive emotions or feelings.
Six hours a day is a very, very long time; and the things you experience and go through at school are all encompassing and in many cases, mine included, life shaping.
Take it from someone who hated school, who was bullied, bitched about and often really struggled with the work, it does end and I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Take it from someone who hated school, who was bullied, bitched about and often really struggled with the work, it does end and I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Whilst you’re in the midst of being a high school student, it feels like that is all there is, and that is how your life will be forever, or at least that’s how it regularly felt for me. But, if I was to tell my 14 or 15 year old self anything, and also any of you reading this who are finding school really difficult, it would be to hold on, because it does end. Life does get better and the people, places or things that make your life horrible, tough, challenging, or unpleasant will end or leave your life.
I promise you can get through it, and I only say that because I and so many others who have walked through similar things, have too.
Places you can go to for help
If you are being bullied Childline or Young Minds could help you.
