[Hadrian]

Okay, so I'm in my last year of highschool. I'm only a month in but I'm already pulling my hair out with stress. I know what I'm doing for college but everything feels so overwhelming and new. I cut out alot of extra curriculars because I was so stressed. If I'm this stressed now what am I going to do at the end of the year. So does anyone have any good stress relieving advice for me?

[Fey]

Well, first off, what's stressing you out? The classes you're in? Your classmates? Teachers? Family? Fretting for the future?

If you can find what is causing the stress then you can work to resolve it. If your current classes are stressful talk to your teachers and see if they have tips or tricks to help keep up. Talk to classmates that are doing well in the class and see if they'll help you study. Find someone that's finished the course and ask if they kept their notes/tests to help you study.

If it's the future, well, stressing won't make it easier. Focus on enjoying the time you have now. Take time every week to do one thing you know you'll miss when you're in college. Talk to friends that you know are planning to go out of state, hang out with them while you can.

Parents, friends and teachers, well, tell 'em to back off. You're allowed to just be a student for a while.

If it's other stuff, well share and let us know :)

[Hadrian]

Thanks it's the future I think that's stressing me out. I'm moving to England after college so I only have three years with my friens and some are leaving the province for school. Thanks for the advice Fey. :)

[Fey]

Ah, well, it sounds like you've got some great plans! But don't let them weigh you down now, you've got a great year to go through FIRST. The future isn't any easier to deal with if you stress over it :)

[Hadrian]

Thanks, I guess I sometimes tend to focus so hard on my goal that I forget to breathe haha.

[Fey]

there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it's in moderation :)

[Hadrian]

Ahhhh moderation, there's that mysterious term that always seems to allude me again..... :)

[Fey]

LOL it eludes me often as well. If you've already got everything settled for when you leave HS do this, set up a time-table for when things NEED to happen. Then you can focus on smaller goals. Friends birthdays, paperwork, whatever, just use those as mini-goals and it'll space out the stress :)

[Hadrian]

That's really good idea, thanks Fey. I think I'll try that starting this week. :D

[Fey]

I'm good at these sorta things, I prevent my stress by making lists. I loooooooove lists. I've lists for everything.

[Hadrian]

I suffer from OCD so I understand your love of lists ;)

[Fey]

Ah, I sorta figured that might be the case.

[Hadrian]

That obvious? :(

[Fey]

nah, just takes one to know one. I was a wreck in my senior year.

[Hadrian]

I broke down just last year because there were too many bloody threes on my page. Usually I can push it aside but with all the extra stress I snapped. Seriously though thanks for the advice this may help keep me sane....or a bit more than usual anyways.

[Fey]

LOL no worries, and if you need more let me know, as another OCD person I know what you're goign through.