Hi, I did a search and I couldn't find any threads on this so I hope it's safe to start this. Anyways...

Have you ever felt really stressed out? I find myself dying under all of this pressure. I'm in 8th grade, but I'm taking "honor" level classes, some even freshmen honors, and I get so much more work and tests than the other 8th graders. Not that I'm struggling with it, but I find that I have no idea how to balance everything. I also do tutoring after school and other activities.

And I know that once I start high school, I'll get even more stressed out. Can any of you relate when I say that I have trouble managing everything? Recently I came across veritaserum.com and I'm addicted to it!!! If only this forum wasn't so cool and awesome . For instance, I was suppose to be working on my science fair project but i haven't gotten off the computer for the past three hours....im hopeless I'm a straight A student and hope to continue that way, but recently I'm not doing as good in school as I would have hoped, and it might jeopardize my chance at being valedictorian. And another thing I find is that I'm gaining alot of weight because of this stress. Sometimes I turn to food for comfort, and let me say, I'm not exactly on the "skinny" side. I recently lost about 10 pounds and I've just gained it back this winter break .

Can anyone give me any tips/advice on how to manage stress??? I don't know how to incorporate exercise, homework, leisure, and all of my activities into my life!

What you need to do is go see your counselor and talk to him/her about a schedule change. Switch out of some of the honors classes to regular levels; this will help decrease your homework load. I'm kind of having the same problem with basketball practice everyday after school, but I get by .

As for fitness, you should just get outside and do something physical like running or playing a sport for like a half hour a day. But if you drop some of the honors classes I would expect you to be less stressed and therefore eat less. This should help you manage your weight as well.

Hope this helped and good luck!

Yeah I can totally relate to you! I'm in 8th grade as well and I am taking classes at 'high school' level as well. Here we all it Advanced Classes. I am under alot of pressure just like you are. But I take each day at a time. Of course my mind wanders into the future a bit..

The main thing I'd reccommend is do homework the day you get them. Get them over with! I have 3 classes each day so it's every other day i see my teachers.

Also, pay attention (which i'm sure you do) and be nice to the teacher. Try 100% on your assisgnments.

To relieve yourself of stress just do what i do:

-When you come home, relax for one hour
-Then start homework
-Take your time
-Listen to music

I do those things and I never really am stressed, of course its different when midterms and finals and FCAT come along. But the main thing is CHILL. RELAX. TAKE YOUR TIME.

I get straight A's and with my tips it will be easy.

trust me i understand, especially Algebra!

Wellllll... we've technically already got a topic on stress here, but as it was the ninth ever to appear on the VTM forums and the last post was nearly two years... I suppose it's high time we had a new thread!

I'm right there with you on many accounts so far as the stress factor is concerned. I'm about to begin the second semester of my high school senior year right now, and I went through a LOT of the same stuff you're talking about here -- pressure to do well in honors courses, to take part in a load of extracurricular activities, and (if you're American) to score high on AP exams, SATs, etc. Have to be honest with you -- it seems like you're starting to realize it already, but there are some really miserable parts where you feel like you have all these things to do and you find yourself wishing like crazy for a Time-Turner -- but believe me, you're definitely not the first person who ever felt that way, and you won't be the last. Millions of kids come out of the system in one piece every year, and based on your high-quality posts alone, I'm sure that you'll be incredibly successful.

As other people have mentioned, the best thing you can do for yourself is take some time out to chill out and relax. I spend at least an hour every day (except Mondays ) on VTM, and it's nice to take a break and concentrate on something else other than studying (which I also spend a heck of a lot of time doing!). Sports are also good... nothing really high-stress or competitive... something like jogging or biking. It's good for you physically and I've always been of the opinion that fresh air and time outdoors are brilliant for mental health. I mean, come on, anyone who expects you to return home from six hours of school and hit the books right away is stark raving bonkers! Who can possibly concentrate under those conditions? You'd have to be some sort of human machine!

Personally, I have to disagree with Feeder on one point -- don't drop the accelerated classes. You sound like a motivated learner, and decreasing your expectations for yourself probably isn't a hot idea -- bad for self-esteem and the like to "surrender," so to speak, to the (if I do say so myself) idiotic institution of modern education. You CAN do it, even if there are moments when you feel really pushed for time. The trick is to find cool people who you can talk you and who can help you through the process. I find that griping with classmates really keeps my spirits up.

That being said, it might be a good idea to lower the bar in some respects... why the necessity to be valedictorian, for example? You're far from the only one I know who's aspiring to be Number One In The Class, but really... just shoot for Honor Society or something. I don't know about your school, but at my school and my parents' old high school, the only thing that the valedictorian EVER does is make a speech at graduation. It really shouldn't matter that much -- my parents don't even remember who their class speaker was. Nobody's judging you to that insane extent.

The whole time you're making your way through the process, just constantly remind yourself that you WILL achieve, you WILL end up shooting for the right degree in the right major at the right time, and you WILL be successful. Yes, there are bad moments... but when you see those A's and you read your acceptance letter... trust me, you WILL be happy.

The only reason I suggested that is because if you get to stressed out and have taken on too much, people tend to have their grades slip. Although you are a very smart person I'm sure, if you're taking all honors and AP classes, it's going to be impossible for you to find time for homework, and relaxation. My counselors are always telling me this because I took all honors classes last year, and couldn't find time to do it all, which gave me a blow to my grades. I just don't think you should take more than you handle, and it sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate.

Mm...stress management...

Three tips: One, time management. If you're going to take anything from these honors courses, it will be this. You must organize every hour of your time and have enough control to follow through with it. Make sure you are studying a reasonable amount and taking breaks. If you don't take a little recess things don't process as well. And since you're concerned with a weight issue, take a walk in between studying for different subjects. It helps your mind organize itself and process what you've been learning. When are able to see yourself planned out and in control you are reassured and a lot of stress is relieved. Stay focusing is also important during a sit-down. Make sure you're comfortable with your surroundings before you try in concentrate otherwise you'll become confused and nothing gets done.

Two, try not to drop honor classes if at all possible. If it just become unbearable and your GPA is dropping sufficiently because this class(es), then follow through, but AP courses look outstanding on college resumes, but what doesn't, is a low GPA. So you need to decide what's better for you. Also valedictorian is a very high prospect, make sure goals are reasonable when you set them. I'm not trying to discourage you by any means, but if are loosing hair over the matter, might want to back down to salutatorian. Don't let it become harmful to you, there's only so much people can handle. I encourage all A's it's very possible for the dedicated scholar to achieve this if they work at it.

And third, don't spend excessive amounts on this blasted forum. The addiction only gets worse over time I'm afraid. Good luck!

hey everyone!!

Yes, I can definatley relate to anyone and everyone who has the whole "school work is getting way to difficult taking up all of my time and energy, and I want to give up". Im a freshman in high school, and Im taking the highest courses offered for freshmen, and yeah it does get to be a lot every now and then. But I think that you should just stick with it, and try to make studying more fun (if thats possible, Im not sure but..) just try listening to music while doing homework or studying, that way it makes it a little easier . Personally, I dont think that you should lower the level of the classes your taking, only because if you want to push yourself to do the best, then (I personally) would rather get C's in a tougher course, than an A in an easier course. You really want ot push yourself and not be bored, that is.

Also, I find that playing a sport, with a team also helps, because your exercising and getting your mind off of school for like and hour after school everyday--with friends or teammates. That alone (playing volleyball and running track) this year has helped me deal with stress, and making the middle school to high school adjustment. Okay, I think that Ive said enough..lol

-Kelly

PS-

WOW, thanks for all the awesome advice guys!! It's really helped me get a better perspective on things. And for one, yes, I really do need to manage my time wisely. What I've done is made a schedule to best fit my study/homework time and I've made sure that I have time to just chill and relax too

I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to drop any classes because I'm actually doing excellent in all of them. I actually find that I do well under pressure, it's just this year that I've began to fall and have become a little unstable with everything. I guess spending most of my time on this forum doesn't really help now, does it?

I know what you guys mean about "lowering my expectations a bit", especially valedictorian and all. The thing is, I know I actually can achieve that goal if I stick to it and work my hardest. My councelor has already told me that I'm in the top 1% and if I keep my grades up, I could be one the valedictorians, seeing as having straight A's all year qualifies you for it. It's just that I am SUCH a perfectionist when it comes to schoolwork, and unfortunately, I find that anything below perfect is unacceptable. I think I'm half insane , but I'm totally afraid of failure and work myself to the bone. I guess it's about working to your highest potential, which I find for myself, is perfection. My friends tell me I'm mad when I get angry at myself for getting an A- on a test, but I can assure you that I am completely sane and do not need to seek professional help..heehee I guess I'm a little like Hermione in the area of "academic perfection"...

I think I'll come home and spend an hour of 'chillaxing' and then get to my work. And I've made sure eating healthy and exercising is a priority no matter what. Health comes first I really need to relax and honestly if I'm worrying now, then I'll probably die in highschool. I think I understand what you mean, Allie, that it may seem so much right now, but in the long run it will all be worth it.

Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you guys for helping me out here, something which i really really -obviously- needed Hopefully, now that I'm a little more "organized" I'll be able to manage everything more and use my time wisely. Which is why I'm going to go do my science project that I should have finished hours ago.

Thanks again all!

one word: run. run run run run run thats how i get rid of it all. I'll be starting high school next year and im already in advanced classes and i've got about 3 standardized tests coming up in this next month or so and im getting pretty stresses out and right now, it feels like my entire future hinges on these 3 tests and my desicions for next year. but when i'm on the track or the road running, im just taking it all out on the pavement. it helps me think it through and puts me into the situation.

one of my favorite quotes was given to me just about 2 or 3 weeks ago by my basketball coach. He said he strongly lives by this and now i do to:
"The longer I live, the more i realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than the past, than education, than circumstances, than failures, than success, then what other people say or do. It is more important than apperance, giftedness, or skill. it will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that, that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TODAY? -Charles Swindoll
when you feel stressed or something comes up in your life, please remember that, and maybe you'll prevent yourself from doing something you'll later regret. trust me, its worked for me.

Stress Management... ooooh boy do I know stress management....

I am currently experiencing one of the least stressful weeks of my life and you know what.... I'm ALMOST bored out of my brain!!!! I used to joke that if I had a weekend to myself, I wouldn't know what to do with it... now that I have it... I think I've logged on here about 6 times??


I agree with most of the things mentioned above, but there is one other thing that I'd like to add---

Do something to relax before you go to bed. Read a book, do a crossword, run, watch tv, do SOMETHING for 30 minutes that completely takes your mind off of the rest of the day. If you go to bed stressed out, thinking about exams, worrying about grades or whatever else, you don't tend to sleep as well, you toss and turn, wake up in the middle of the night, are more prone to 'nightmares' (not the freddy-type nightmares, but dreams where you wake up startled, breathing rapidly and can't remember what happened in the dream) and after a couple of nights you end up more tired than before. Tiredness creates more stress, so it's important that you do sleep.

I personally have gotten into Sudoku, and tend to do half an hour of them a night- but I know that a lot of people find THAT stressful, so you need to find something that suits you.

make yourself a schedule, and stick to it. when you write it, give yourself free time now and then. i feel myself facing a similar problem.

and dont sweat it about your weight. teenagers' weight always fluctuates. muscle weighs more than fat, remember that,

hope you feel better,
love from,
~angie/nymphadora~

Urgh, Stress, evil stress.

At the moment, if you heard about my life, what I do everyday, you wouldn't think, that person is stressed beyond all control. But believe me I am!

I've just dropped out of college, and i need to find a job, and I can't, no matter what I do, my flat is a complete mess and it needs to be tidyed, but i can't even bare to start, I've just started a new diet, and on top it all off, i'm suiciadally depressed. Fun eh?

What stress is is lack of control. It's when you're loosing control of your life. So the only way to relieve it is to get conrol of your life, so making up a schedule and then sticking to it sounds like a good idea. I always just give up on these things...so best of luck!!

Yeah, about VTM being addictive, it so it, unreal! lol

*Carries on the job hunt*

well when im stressed i just meditate to block my emotions out and unblock myself. my mum just cant handle stress she just blows up.

Well...don't I feel stupid. I'm in eigth grade too, but I'm only in one challenge class...
But that one class is just a lot of work for me. It's challenge English/Communication Arts, and we just really have a lot of work. Of course, next year, I'm going to try to get into all honors.

But, as for the stress, I myself keep it in, and handle it by always being snappy at some people...always being quiet, in sort of a depression mood. Like you, I found that I do well under pressure as well. You have no idea how many times I've had to write five paragraph essays in two hours, and I can only remember one time that I've actually started a project ahead of time. So basically, I'm saying that I put everything off until the last minute.

As for your weight, I wouldn't worry about it. People tend to use food for comfort (I'm might have once in a while, even though I never thought about it)...

Oh, and one way to relieve off stress (as to what I think is), is to do something fun, like be on Veritaserum, and your mind will calm down, and you will think clearer. Oh, and rubbing lemon on your head's good too. Lol...never mind, I got that off a movie. But, what you can do, is let out a good scream. I'm always bickering with my sister, so I'm constantly yelling at her, and I feel so much better afterwards.

I'm seldom stressed out, and it's because I plan it that way. I can't handle too much stress. Some people just can't. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, as people are all different.

I think today's society expects too much from people. There's just always too much to do! It's kinda sad, really. I mean, primitive man didn't become homo sapiens because he worked all the time! His intelligence developed because he had time to sit and contemplate. We seldom seem to have time for that anymore.

Some people can handle a lot of tasks, some can't. I own my own business and sometimes feel overwhelmed with orders! But I realise I can only handle one order at a time, so my thoughts and energy go into that one task. When it's done I move to the next. The work always gets done.

A lot of our stress is self-induced! Sometimes it's just the thinking about all the tasks yet to be done that can be the scariest, most stressful thing of all. But if you break it down into just concentrating on the task at hand, things usually fall into place. And if they don't, you probably have too much on your plate. Admitting that and adjusting your schedule is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.

Good luck to all you stressed out students! Good advice about getting exercise!

My advice, which has worked for me for the last 2 years....

Do all your work, once you have finished, go out and party- relax with some good mates!

Burning the candle at both ends....YEAH- though I know it will catch up with me in a few years....when I am discussing it in therapy....

I am in my first year at the university and well, let's say I've met more stress in the previous month than ever before I hate the feeling of being under an almost unbearable pressure and not being able to sleep the night preceding my exam... the only thing that really helps me is to put down an exact 'timetable' in which I set when and exactly what I have to study... although it is really hard to stick to it... however, it gives you strength if you know that you can put through things you planned...

Stress.....uggghhk I hate it! We all feel it, although some more than others. You are listening to a man full of stress. If I were to tell you how to handle your stress, I would just be repeating what everybody already said here. You have received excelent advice from everybody. What you did NOT receive is what to not do if you are feeling stressful. So, I will give you some pointes on how NOT to handle stress.


1. Do not take it out on other people! Do not randomly yell at your friends, family, dog, etc. because you are feeling stressful! It is not their fault that you are feeling stressful. When you get like this, take a few breaths and remember the consequences of your future actions! You do not want to get into a fight!

2. Do not take it out on yourself! One of the worst things you can do is hurt yourself under pressure. I have done it before and it is not fun. It is very unhealthy as well, so deal with your stress in a different way!

3. Do not give up everything! Don't just stop doing your work or cut classes...As people have previously stated, see a guidance counselor and switch out of some classes, or talk to your teacher about the workload. There are many alternatives!

Well, those are three main things NOT to do when under stress. Hope I helped a bit!



_daviD

With stress, I tend to get quite emotional rather than aggressive or angry or shut myself out.

Well...I'm feeling stressed at the moment, not to mention that I'm upset. I was working as a publisher auditor which is a temporary/casual role (goes on for a month) at my Uni and I haven't been paid since I have finished 2 weeks ago. Then I finally got a payment into my account this morning but it didn't include all my time I've worked over that period.

So naturally, I'm feeling furious/stressed/upset because I have to live and it makes me suspicious that the new Australian Industrial Laws may have something do with it. I've contacted them and they'll have to talk to the Human Resources Department (people who handle accounts) and I basically told them that it is not an acceptable practice in any employment conditions. Anyhow, I was just feeling down and wanted to rant...I'll let you guys how it all ends out

~i listen to music, usually rock. the music makes me go into a peaceful side of me when im stressing out.
~i also read a book. i am able to go to a different world and forget about my worries.
~i go to forums and chatrooms. talking about something besides my stress with people calms me down.

I am rather stressed out atthe moment. There's onlt eight days of school left, and in this last week and a half, all the teachers give us 30 tons of homework, like their trying to fit in all the assingments that they didn't get to earlier in the year. We have like a due date every single day of the week. I am horrible with due dates,and lets just say i'm defenity not getting my bestgrades this quarter... I think I'm not the only one,though. Nobody can pay attention to school work, it's too nice outside.

I find that when I'm worried about something like a presentation, it helps to go in my room and read Harry Potter. I can just escape to Harry's world and I can forget about my problems, atleast for a little bit. Cooking is good too. Anything that will take my mind away from worrying.

I find good headphones, a car, and then a concert with good ol' fashion hXc dancing really helps the distressed soul...


NOTE:
(wannabe)Emos, skip the headphones, and STAY AWAY FROM: broker mirros, razors, sissors, and knives when depressed. just mosh.

Scenesters: unfold them arms,quit moping!!! everyone wants to mosh, quit bein' (legit.) only im legit. come hXc dance with me, now.

thats how to feel betterer.

-- Thomas

Know what I'm thinkin'? I'm thinkin' I need a little stress right now! Is that demented or what? I'm so bored with my life!

I am sick of the same old, same old. Sometimes, can't stress be a good thing? Not when it's feeling overwhelming, but when you've got a deadline or a project that's really important to you and it just feels so good to work on it? I haven't had a project like that for awhile. The the same old predictable things...pirate pants, pirate pants, pirate pants, the occasional pirate shirt...

Oh, I'm an historic costumer...

Still, I'm happy for all you students who get some much-needed time OFF! Enjoy!

Greeneyes, hope that payment thing works out for you! That's so unfair!

Well...I would love when things are not so busy/stressful at the moment. Be careful mate - that stress you crave for might be unwanted! But, I do agree with you - I think little stress can be good for you as it passes the time, create things to do and it actually teaches you how to deal with it much more effectively next time, if stress should occur again!

A historic costumer? That sounds quite fascinating - have you been doing it for long? Is it with a historical society or theatre etc?

The payment issue has kind of been resolved. They accidentally taxed me the highest rate where I should have been taxed under the lowest threshold so they are not hiding the money away from me. Though, I asked them to adjust the amount in my next pay but as it has been taxed - I'll have to claim it back after the financial year ends.. bummer.. I'm just thankful that I don't have to wait that long (only til after June). But yeah, that was a bit tenseful for me but having dealt with it, I know what to do next time etc.

Now I have a new stress! Exams! Oh exams..why? Same old for me...always something popping up unexpectedly for me...I can't wait til the holidays where I can just relax.

Yeah...lol..I know, I should be careful! Isn't it human nature though, to want whatever it is we don't have? If things are too mellow and stress-free, we get restless and bored. I think the real trick is trying to keep it all balanced.

I just work for myself, thanks. Nice of you to ask. I've done theatre and Renaissance Festivals, but now I work from my home and sell over the internet. It's fun. Lonely sometimes, but fun.

I'm glad the tax thing worked out, well, sort of worked out, I guess. At least it shouldn't happen again! But it's hard when money you've counted on doesn't get to you, especially if you don't have much!

i have been stressed a lot before, and im sure ill be stressed around next week because thats when school starts and im taking honors classes. well i used to be stressed like before last month, because then it was nearly the end of the school year and i was taking on a lot of things around school and i had to get things done right away and i really didnt have a lot of people who could help me because it was a job i had to do. and i missed like about an hour of school each day for the last 2 weeks (my teachers took me out of school, they made me get every activity thing i had to do and finish done, in a good way not like detention or anything) after school trying to get everything done, and i still had homework so i had to go back to class and check for homework and go around again doing more things and i got so stressed. but each day i took an hour to relax, go on the computer and talk with my friends on their, and id listen to music and think about things other than what i had to do. basically, it helped me that month and i didnt feel as stressed after.

I always get stressed out with any school projects and when ever I have a new school year. I remember I was so stressed out about going to middle school (I'm going to high school in August) that my arms were shaking. My mom gave me tea (and I don't really like tea) and that worked wonderfully because I was actually able to sleep that night.
Other ways I deal with stress:
- play video games
- listen to music
- read a book
- play sims!
- go on the computer

*gah* honors. i was im them for 7th, 8th, and my mom and needs (im in a "gifted" state program) feel that i have to bee im honors for 9th also. also for the year after that, ect.
the classes we're slightly harder, but they make you think more out of the box. they open up the way you think. i admit though, the classes can get stressful. especially when its the end of the year. * i hate end of the year projects and exams!* well school ended the last week of june, and i dont get back until august 14th. thats one month away! im already fretting, consitering the elective and classes i picked. yes, i desided to go into ROTC.
i hate it when i was absent in a class, and then i have to catch up and then im behind. i sometimes i end up copying a friends old homework. and i used to do the extra credit, so i wouldn't get a B. that would pile up on the homework that i already had.
i agree, talking to my freinds helps me relax a lot!

for me, it's all about shows, and performances. playing in a good basemnt show/going to one/playing/going to a venue show and palying alongside or listening to other hardcore christian artists really helps relieve my stress, especially in the pit dancing. energy and stress just seem to feed off of one another, leading to one big cohesive motion.


thats a sress buster!

I was in honors classes this past year, and finals really stressed me out. This is what I did.

First, I found a nice snack, sat on a couch, and read HP and the HBP. Then I listened to some good music and relaxed on my bed. Running works, too. And if all else fails, I sleep. I also have a diary I vent in, and it really helps. That's what I do for stress management.

I dont handle stress very well. I'm not one of those people that believe if you take a few deep breaths and count to ten, then everything will be all better. I also dont meditate. I cant close my eyes for longer than a second in an empty room. I'm paranoid. I always think somebody is following me or something like that. but the things I do to relax is write and read. Listening to music is there to get me pumped for something and to let me vent anger, nobody can here you break things when the music is too loud. But reading is relaxing and helps me deal with things by getting away from them, which I guess isnt really dealing with them. So I write. I write about everything, and things I feel or dont feel or cant feel. I have a wierd relationship with the world around me...or at least I think so. I'm constantly stressing out about something so I'm constantly wirting to my journal or writing in general.

I very rarely get stressed out, but when I do I've found the absolutely best thing to do is to log on to VTM. It is so addictive that by the time you've made a few posts and read a few threads you'll have completely forgotten about why you were so stressted in the first place!

ohh i cant believe im gonna share this but... i have a slight obsession with the greatest wizard ever known.... Albus Dumbledore... so ever since ive read the books to handle stress I just try to act like Dumbledore would act.... i know it weird but it really helps to stay calm and to talk to people.... and when conflicts arise you can calmly "stride" onto the scene.... It also helps when I need to do things on little sleep or i need to get up after very few hours of sleep... i just imagine Dumbledore always at his desk when Harry came to his office no matter what time.... i swear it works... try it sometime....

ah, honors classes are easy ive found out. well at least at the beginning, so im not stressed all that much yet. no detention yet [but my friend got a saturday school, haha sorry off topic]. but ive been stressed about my grades, which my mom thinks are everything. like i got a A- in history [yes they give us a progress report every few weeks] and she got so mad at me. i mean really, she expects me to get an A or A+ in everthing, but im so totally not perfect. in P.E. i still have an A, which takes a bit of my worries away. but with my grades and all that, i try to write as much as i can, so that it relieves me. and all the stress is written down on paper.

well the way i deal with stress is either watch music videos and or listen to music that always does it. i also take it out on my skateboard like when i am stressed out i grab my board and go outside and skate as hard as i can like i will land my trick to hard and snap my board or i will fall and take it out that way.

Well i am not the type of person who gets stressed out that much.I think when i am in a stressful situation i tend to hang out with my friends.I go outside with them play some sports,hang out, and just relax.I normally dont get that stressed out though.I just have the ability to not worry about it that much and just be calm and relax.

well first i am a seventh grader. and i'm in the really high classes. i do algebra, a nith grade course, and have A TON more work then the other classes. and this puts a lot of stress bcause i also have afterschool activities. heres a scheduale.

Monday : School, then homework, orchestra from 7 - 8:30 then more homework
Tuesday: School, homework
Wednesday: School, running practice from 3 - 5:30 or 6, then homework
Thursday: School homework
Friday: same as thursday

and my homework usually takes 3 hours to do plus i usually have one or two projects occuring. and to give me extra time after school, i take a shower in the morning unless i have running.

but what i do to manage my stress is i get home from school at 3:15, and i usually go to 3:45 or 4 just taking a break and resting. it takes time, but i need it for rest from school. and then i start my most important homework. i have for first period teacher helper where i can do homework, so it's a plus. between subjects, i take breaks between the subjects like 10 to 15 min to rest my mind and stuff. ad on the weekends i would just take a few hours to really rest. i hope it helped? if you need more inforation, pm me.

I dont realy get stressed but if i get the slightest wiff off stress usually by an exam i didnt studies properly for(i hate some of the subjects it cant be helped.
I loose myself in music will dancing hiphop i realy enjoy it so it helps
the other thing is readin books i sit anywhere and read wheter its HP (again) or a new book from the library.

it helps me stay calm, the real streeser in my family is my sister. and thats when i get strees she realy contagious.

Ok, well I'm in my junior year, 11th grade, and I am soooooo stressed out this year and paranoid. The teachers expect tons more than they ever did, and the homework is horrendous. Before, I flew through every class doing little or no work yet always getting an 'A' and ending up on top. but this year, whew, it's crazy! So to get rid of all that stress over homework and projects, I read or I go to the track. I find that when I'm tired and exhausted, it's easier to not worry about things, and I usually feel so light and happy afterwards. I love reading books, and it relaxes me sooo much especailly when it's a really good I one, I can get lost in it and forget everything I was worring about just a minute ago. Well, my mom is nagging me, so I will end it right here.

oh dear! wait until you guys are in college and working! i was doing that last semester and well it truely did stress me out!
just like you free i read to de-stress. working out is also really good! lol that is why i have a punching bag! although i still don't deal well with stress it totally helps to relief a bit of it!

something physical always helps

im in adavanced classes and im in 7th grade. i take as advanced as they will let us (jsut 8th/ little 9th not much) right now im handling two practices everyday track and softball and loads of algebra homework and english. it seems never ending lol. i avoid stress by coming home and listening to music while i do my homework, then when im finished read HP and get on the computer or cell phone and talk to friends. it always works and i have kept my straight A's for as long as i can remember. plus my dad wouldnt have it any other way lol.

school +very annoying family= stress....most of the time when I am stressed I usually...watchmovies, listento music & sometimes start race-track running & working out...sometimes (although very rarely) I aslo just sit queitly & silently for half an hour or so...for some reason that helps me!

lol, my dad's the same. "If your not first, your last" that's from the movie of Ricky Bobbie, but that's pretty much the same way my dad thinks, so thats a lot of pressure.

I also listen to music to relieve stress too. My favorite song to play is Desitny's Child: Emotion. I played that while I was doing my homework and got a lot done because I was very relaxed.


oh great stef, now I'm really scared lol.

I love this topic... I've been through everything that many of you are talking about all the way from middle school taking honors classes and after school activities to high school in all it's glory and finally college full time while working full time not to mention quite a few life experiences and lessons. Believe me when I say it doesn't get any easier the things you will go through. However, you will learn your own methods of coping that will help you manage through things you never thought you could do.

Personally it took me a long time and the development of a panic disorder before I got things under control. The best way to manage stress is to remember these two pieces of advice I'm going to give you:

1. There is always a way out. If you find yourself overwhelmed... ask for help... seek alternatives... look for a different way to manage something. You can drop an extracarricular, take summer classes so you don't have to manage so many during the semester (college), take out a loan to help you with money problems, ask your parents... they know their stuff (I'm almost 24 and I still do)

2. You need to find something that is just for you. I like to run or read. Some people just sit outside or veg out in front of the TV for an hour. Find a way to de-stress even if it's only for 15 minutes a day.

Stress is hard, and it sucks. But you wouldn't be who you are today if you didn't have it. The stresses you face now are only there to help you prepare for the ones you will face in the future. So don't stress about stress (haha i'm very punny today). Hang in there.

that is really good advice! i had to take a semester off partly because of stress. you are lucky that you have your parents to back you up. i know that if i need it my dad is there in a second but it's hard to ask them for money that is why i'm working my butt off to pay my way through college!

i found number two rather useful! sometimes i get so wrapped up in what i'm doing that i have no me time! lol that is what vtm is for now a days

so if i may ask what are you or did you major in?

I know what you mean about the money situation... I had to refinance my car once (yeah that was my dad's idea) to pay some bills. I got really lucky as far as college though... I was on full scholarship. I majored in psych/business for undergrad and now am working on my masters in human resources management. You?

I agree with you. VTM and Myspace are another stress reliever. Totally addicted.


Steph

PS. It's funny you took a semester off school b/c I was just talking to one of my friends about 10 minutes before I read your post who just decided this morning to take a semester off. Coincidence!

a combination of epicureanism, stoicism and down right eccentricity get me through the day.

I try to not let things bother me, and if something does arise... I try to keep calm because I know flipping out will get me nowhere fast. I am accused of procrastinating when in actuality I like to mull things over. Don't get me wrong, in a serious situation I can make decisions quickly but it day to day life why not take the time if you have it?

~Albus