I am under too much pressure and I don't know what to do?

Question

Okay, so I am in 8th grade, and the work load is crazy. Last year it was hard too, but I could get it done by 10:00 ish. This year I am up past midnight almost every night, and I have to get up at six in the morning. I have tests everyday, and between the work and just normal school anxieties like peer pressure and all...it's just too much. It's like I never have time to just have fun anymore. I never get to get together with my friends, and when I do, i'm completely stressed out and I can't stop thinking about what I have left to do. Like now it's Sunday, and I have a math unit test tom that we were just informed about on friday, I have an essay, I have to memorize 30 lines from a Midsummer Night's Dream (shakespeare), I have 120 math problems, and that is nothing compared to a normal night. It's just so stressful, and I already know that I am severely depressed. I can hardly concentrate in class, because I am so scared for when I get home and have to do everything. I have always been a straight A student, but this year I am getting a couple B's, which might not sound bad, but my parents are flipping out. AND I just got an email from my math teacher (which was also sent to my parents) saying that I got a 30 on a quiz. Which there are going to be questions on the unit test like the ones on that quiz, and I don't have my text book! So I am afraid that I will fail the test tom. All my friends are amazing students, and I have pressure from them, my parents, and my teachers. I also always feel like I don't fit in and all that, even though I have alot of friends. It gets to the point where I cry myself to sleep every night, and always have nightmares, and on average I get like 4 and a half hours of sleep, so I'm always exhausted. What can I do?

Answer 1

I know you are in the states but some websites we use here in the UK may help you, I will add them at the bottom for you.



I am unsure of your age (eighth grade), so forgive me but i will do my best.



OK so even if you didnt, you should have started revision friday evening, just for 1 hour. (note this for next time)

Then an hour of your essay - Just an hour of each.

Rest of your friday night or whatever evening it is is yours.

Then Saturday another hour of each.

Sunday day hour of revision and learning lines for Midsummer nights dream.

Sunday evening relax.



See what I did? You just got to keep on top of your work. start it in the class (if you get enough notice), and start it straight whhen you get home from school so you can have the rest of your night to yourself.



You said your up past midnight, is that cos you have loads to do for school, or do you leave things to the last minute? I used to leave stuff and do it a panic but i soon learnt if i did it when i got it i could get it out the way!!!!!



If you really have too much work, you need to speak to your tutor or form teacher.



I suffer with nightmares. I still do now and I am not even 30 yet. I have had them all my life!!! Try drinking camomile tea before you go to bed .

It will relax you and hopefully if your relaxed you can have less nightmares.



I always recommend Valarian root you can buy it in health food shops, supplement shops, or online. Is a natural sedative (herb) and is used to treat anxiety and insomnia.



Why dont you have a text book? You need to speak to your maths teacher and let her know this!!!!! She will understand.



I know its hard but you need a study diary plan so you can plan when your doing what homework and when.



This site has some good study advice;

http://www.bustertests.co.uk/studies/tips-for-studying-for-gcse.php

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/default.asp

Answer 2

You know what? I was in the same boat in eight grade and it sucks, but know that you really gotta budget your time if you want to maintain straight As. B's aren't a big deal in middle school either, but grades become much more important in high school. Sleep doesn't matter too much as long as you make it up on the weekends too. I averaged close to 4or 5 last year, where I would go to bed at 12 or later and get up at around 5:30.



The problem you could be having is the depression. Talk about it with your parents and see if you need some kind of support, but don't keep going as you are, because eight grade is a gift compared to high school. If you want to be top of the class, that is...



It's only going to get harder, so get help, budget your time, find ways to relieve stress (a hobby or social time) while still working hard, and actually, getting more sleep is pretty good. Work on those things and talk to your parents or a counselor about that.

Answer 3

Wow i cant believe you're getting so much work in 8th grade! I live in England and am in year 12 and have never had that much work! I'd advise you to talk to your teachers, tell them that the workload is too much, ask for more time and they should do something about it. If you're becoming severely depressed its time to talk to someone.

I have a lot of friends who are so much smarter than me and I understand that it is a lot of pressure and you lose confidence in yourself, but try not to think about them, and if your parents and teachers knew everything you've just written they'd be a lot more understanding i'm sure

Hope it goes ok for you its really unfair :(

xxx

Answer 4

No young person should ever have to go through what you are going through. You need to level with your parents and tell them what this is doing to you. What you are going to have to do is learn to pace yourself. When you get home, relax for about 30 minutes, eat a lite snack or take a power nap before you start working on homework. Leave social life for weekends. Make it a goal to finish your work by 10 p.m. and then go to bed.

Answer 5

Change ur school,or talk to ur teacher .and don't worry about homework do as much as u can as it doesn't matter too much but do best in test as it leaves good impression,as myself hate writing work as im not studding math now and it will take less time if u learn by understanding each and every word or arrange them as a story.

Answer 6

Pressure? Pressure? I eat breakfast 200yards from 10,000 angry cubians, I laugh in the face of danger! lol

Answer 7

Jess, There's some really easy and highly effective work out there called "You just tap some acupuncture points (no needles, just "tap. tap, tap...")

while making a couple statements. Google search will take you there. Good luck.