Worried About Starting High School - My Life is All Over the Place
Published: September 02, 2016
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm starting high school this year and I'm worried becaus my life is kind of all over the place.
I can't keep a singl thing organized, room, backpack, binder...etc. I constantly forget dates, times, what I need to bring, and lose all my things.
Small things like not being able to tell my right and left apart make it hard to function sometimes.(I can write with both hands so I have no concept of right and left)
I procrastinate a lot and have never actually sat down and did homework in the past couple of years.
In elementary school, I never listened in class but the work was so easy that I didn't need to. I can't sit still so teachers just let me go for walks. I'm worried that high school teachers will be stricter about constantly fidgeting and moving around, daydreaming, and that they'll actually check homework. (Unlike elementary schools)
I have struggled with sleeping issues most of my life and no matter how early I get up, how much physical activity I do, and how early I try to go to bed, I'm awake and hyper most of the night.
Anyway, what are ways I can deal with some of these issues? I've tried making lists and schedules, but I can't stand routine and repetitiveness.
Signed: Worried About Starting High School - My Life is All Over the Place
Dear Worried About Starting High School - My Life is All Over the Place,
The transition to high school can be an anxiety-provoking thing for lots of people, but particularly for those dealing with issues like the ones you have described above. So FX can understand your concerns. You did not mention your parents/guardians at all, so TeenHealthFX would like to start by saying that we hope you are discussing these issues with them. There is a lot going on here between how easily distracted you feel, the difficulties getting organized and the hyperactivity. So it is important that you speak to them about it so they can come up with some thoughts about how to help you. It would be a good idea for you to speak to a professional about these issues. You could start by talking to your primary care physician about them and then he/she could make recommendations on how to proceed. But, again, the first step would be to speak to your parents/guardians.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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