Young people can get more information by checking out the 'talk pages'. Click the button below.

For young people

How to cope with school

Bad grades:

• What matters is that you try
• Ask your teacher for help, and keep asking. Teachers like to work one-on-one.
• If you do poorly on a test, ask the teacher whether you can work something else out – like maybe an extra project for extra credit.

Daydreaming, difficulty concentrating:

• Consider possible physical causes. Are you sleeping enough? Eating good breakfasts? A balanced diet? If not, take care of the situation.
• Is something really bothering you? If so, get help – from someone you feel comfortable talking to. Try your parents, relatives, a teacher, a friend’s parent, a youth worker, or have a look at the help lines listed in the 'talk pages'.

Falling behind:

• Remember, this doesn’t mean you are bad or stupid.
• Try to figure out the problem. Is the class too advanced? Did you neglect your homework? Is it something that’s going on outside of school? Talk to your parents or teacher to come up with a solution.
• Stay in school. Your education is your future – it deserves your best efforts – so keep looking for help if you’re having a problem.

Being young does put you at a disadvantage - but you are not helpless. Try these tactics to handle tough situations with friends, teachers and even your parents.

1. Use your head to figure out what the other person is thinking. Then you can talk in a way that they understand.
2. Stick to facts and say how YOU FEEL about them, as unemotionally as possible. Don’t name-call.
3. Don’t accuse or criticise the other person. That will force them to stick up for themselves – and pick on you again.
4. Practice what you want to say with another friend. This will help you anticipate comments and figure out answers.
5. Take a problem-solving attitude. Think solution, not victory. It doesn’t help to win the argument if you still have the problem!

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