My 16th Year of Life

[Tespo125]

Ever since I turned 16 (May 2003) my bad habits have sky-rocketed and my self-confidence has plumitted. I go to an all-boys private elite school for the gifted, and my grades have been going downhill. I stay up late and sleep in class, I fail tests and quizzes, and Algebra 2 is unimaginably confusing/tiring/difficult/boring. My teacher tells me I shouldn't get discouraged, but that's all I'm doing. I have a tendency not to do homework and be late to school (both of which resolve in Penance Hall *detention*) My relationship with my mom has taken a turn for the worse, I'm always "grumpy". My social life has become awkwardly unstable and my self-confidence has taken a dive. I'm guessing it's just a temporary depression, but I've gotten so paranoid about SAT's and GPA's and college that I'm always high-strung and nervous. So I come to my fellow cheap-ass gamers for advice (especially from college kids) on the following:

Any study techniques that you may find useful?
Any advice on how to stop my videogame/computer addiction?
Any advice/websites on how to do Algebra 2 or Trigonometry?
Any advice on how to improve my social skills?
Any tips on how to relax and calm myself down when I'm uptight?
Any tips on how to improve my son-mother relationship?

Any advice will do. Hell, jsut typing this makes me feel better.

[WhipSmartBanky]

I went to a college prep school and then a private university, so I can relate. It's almost 3am, and my advice may not be good, but it's worth some thought:

Any advice on how to stop my videogame/computer addiction?
Remove them from your room or other "convenient places" to play them. The easier it is to sit down and play or type, the harder it'll be for you to do your work. Set aside a LIMITED and dedicated time to play, and stick to it. Same with homework. Have a dedicated area for homework, and a dedicated area for play and don't mix the two.

Any advice/websites on how to do Algebra 2 or Trigonometry?
Get a tutor. Seriously. If you can get the basics and really master how to do the small problems, the larger problems will be a lot easier. 9/10 times the "difficult" problems in Algebra or Trig are just multiple small problems.

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?
Are there any clubs you can join? Maybe take some thespian classes if they're offered or join their club.

Any tips on how to relax and calm myself down when I'm uptight?
Don't leave homework or projects hanging over you. If you've got things due, keeping yourself busy working on them is the number one way to alleviate one of the biggest sources of stress in your life. The relaxation will come naturally. Hell, even just organizing your to-do lists or getting your upcoming work in order will help you immensely.

Any tips on how to improve my son-mother relationship?
The biggie: be honest. Mothers sense when their children are having problems. She probably doesn't know how to help, and you being cranky adds to it. Be honest. You don't have to give her details, but let her know what's going on with you. She may be able to help get you tutoring for your classes and counseling for your obvious depression.

As far as the SAT and ACT: don't sweat it. Seriously. Take a prep course if there's one offered in your area, get one of those test prep books and do some of the sample tests so you know what to expect, then take the exam. You can always take it again, assuming you don't wait until the last minute to take it the first time.

[LV-426RS]

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?

Get a job where you need to interact with the public, this really works. Also I read that owning a pet such as a dog or a cat can actually improve your social skills, so long as you interact with your pet.

Any tips on how to relax and calm myself down when I'm uptight?

Same as Whip said, be honest. Respect what your mother says to you and does for you. Don't only respect it, but SHOW her respect. She will show it back. Strive to make your mother proud. When your older that's one thing that will definitley make you happy, knowing she is proud of you. Remember she is not your friend, she's your parent and mentor. Need advice? go to her, she's been here longer than you. Communicate daily whats going on with your life, give her a hug once in a while, and tell her you love her.

[x0thedeadzone0x]

When you're a teenager, you basically want to do and go out whenever you want, and you tend to think of school as a lesser priority, which is probably the cause of why you're not doing so well. My two cents: You have to learn to prioritize your work before play. I've just started doing this and its hard but I really try. It's always important to have your parents motivating you. Tell your mother that you need her, like the guys above get a tutor for helping you with school if you need help. And what about your dad? My dad's good at math so I ask him, so if you'res is too that's always an option. You have to steadily work on your relationship with your mom, maybe you are always grumpy even if you don't realize it. Make an effort to be nice to her, and she will definitely notice and probably be nicer to you. Then ask her about tutoring, etc etc. Depression comes and goes, but if it stays like yours, tell your mom about it, and dont be shy. You can get counseling, therapy, or one of those anti-depressant pills. Limit your video game time. The best thing to do is not even think about your video games and do your homework straight away. Do you have a study at all? If you do that really helps. Don't just goof off if you have work to do, actually do it. I try to finish most of my work as much as possible in my classes, finish them in my 2 studies that i have (I'm lucky I know, but only 1 study can work too), and take the rest home. I help minimize the stress in school by doing as much as possible before I get home, allowing more time for play. But do your homework as soon as you get home, or play just a little and wait until your mom gets home, and ask her for help if you can't figure things out. For socially, I suggest going to some place, OUTSIDE of school. Go to a teen club hangout, meet a girl there, and talk to her. If you don't want to join clubs, then do something outside of school once a week at least, to escape from your life. I do piano, so if you like drums, guitar, then get private lessons and try that for awhile. Get friends or a girlfriend outside of school and invite them over once in a while or go to their house, it'll really help. But make sure to prioritize your school work.

I'm really sorry if my advice isn't too good, I'm only 14 and I'm just listing my thoughts on what to do in the best of my ability from high-school so far. Good luck, !

[weimerwanger]

I'm always high-strung and nervous

try drugs

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?

again, drugs

seriously though, if you're not doing well in school dont do too many drugs

and stay away from pot

[video_gamer324]

Any study techniques that you may find useful?

Always make sure you understand things. If you're reading in your textbook and something doesn't make sense, read it over again, slower, and try to comprehend what the book is trying to say. If it still doesn't make sense, don't waste your time trying to figure it out. Talk to a teacher or friend and see if they can't help you out. This will also help you manage your time better and relieve some stress. And as for tests, do your studying several days in advance in case something doesn't make sense, and you can still have time to ask questions. Never cram the night before, but it doesn't hurt to do some last-minute review to keep everything fresh in your mind.

Any advice on how to stop my videogame/computer addiction?

That's just a habit you'll have to break. Take a break for a day or two, and you'll probably find that you don't need to be playing every spare moment you get. Find a book you like and read it because reading is good for you, and you can break your fixation with games.

Any advice/websites on how to do Algebra 2 or Trigonometry?

There is no better way to learn this type of stuff than by asking questions. Raise your hand in class whenever anything is not crystal clear to you, and stay five minutes after class to talk to the teacher and clarify anything you didn't get a chance to ask during class. The Internet has a lot of potential resources, but it can be difficult when you don't know where to look or you can't find an exact answer to your question.

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?

Get comfortable talking. Talk to yourself in the mirror, talk with your teachers, take a forensics/debate/speech class, etc. Once you can and do communicate with others, you can begin building relationships.

Any tips on how to relax and calm myself down when I'm uptight?

Stress balls and brown paper bags work wonders. If telling yourself to chill doesn't work, let your stress out physically or verbally, but don't hurt anyone or anything in the process. And if it's getting late, go to bed right away. 9 times out of 10 things straighten out by the following morning.

Any tips on how to improve my son-mother relationship?

Tell her you love her, and give her hugs from time to time. Tell her how your day was, what you did, and anything special that you feel you should share. Be open. Don't lie to her, and don't do anything that would tick her off. She loves you, whether it's clear or not, so be a child that she can love easily.

[paz9x]

I'm always high-strung and nervous

try drugs

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?

again, drugs

seriously though, if you're not doing well in school dont do too many drugs

and stay away from pot

ha, nice....the first thing that came to mind when reading this post , start drinking.

jk, seriously, I think a good start is being able to identify the areas youre struggling in.
as far as real advice, whipsmart stated it as well as could be done.

[evilmax17]

Have you met my two friends?

www.livejournal.com
www.deadjournal.com

does anyone use these anymore? Crikey, this place is turning into the teen help line. How about everyone writes their problems in a journal, and puts a link to it in their signature.

[Tespo125]

Thanks for all the advice guys, it really is helpful. Today I had a Math test that I'm pretty sure I failed miserably. It's actually knid of weird, all my life Math has come so easily and comprehendable, but now it's Greek to me. You all make it osund so easy to resolve my problems with my mom, but it feel so awkward trying to tell her I love her or giving her a hug. I have yet to try it. I have a job at a restaurant, which is a pretty sociable industry. However I still don't know everyone's name after three weeks, and today a co-worker said, "I don't think I've ever heard you speak." I'm not going to lie, my biggest social problem is girls. I can't think straight when I'm around them and it seems that every time I meet a new girl, I always wind up asking the same old blah questions. I am going to have to turn over a new leaf and try your suggestions with everyhting you've said, accept for the drugs, which by the way was once a phase I went through (I think every teen does). I'll keep you all posted on my Math grades, girlfriends, and etc. Once again, thank you for all that you have told me, it truly has been taken to heart.

[punqsux]

Have you met my two friends?

www.livejournal.com
www.deadjournal.com

does anyone use these anymore? Crikey, this place is turning into the teen help line. How about everyone writes their problems in a journal, and puts a link to it in their signature.

then people would just start a thread telling people to read their journal about a problem, theres an off topic forum for a reason :P

[LV-426RS]

I'm not going to lie, my biggest social problem is girls. I can't think straight when I'm around them and it seems that every time I meet a new girl, I always wind up asking the same old blah questions.

I had the same problem when I was younger. Start talking to the ones you are not attracted to. They are easier to talk to and will help to build up the nerve to talk to the ones you are attracted to.

[MorganWebbLover]

I know ! do what I always do roll up a fat J or Spliff toke out and Play some Video Games and chill . School sucks anyway don't worry about some shit hole Prep school that in 5 years won't matter anyway.

[ZForce915]

MorganWebbLover = Loser.

[NuRon]

Don't turn to drugs, listen to music to calm yourself, talk to your mom more (anything from news to whatever), go into a room without ANY distractions (birds, sounds, etc.), know your priorities, and follow supernothing's advice on girls cuz it seems reasonable. Btw, I feel that girlfriends just distract you from the things you do but if you do decide to get one, find one that knows what an education is:) (i went out with a decent amount of gf's and could go out with some more now but i know better so dont think youre taking advice from a loner :). Half of the girls around where I live are party girls who smoke weed and stuff, spendind their money all the time, etc.). You must be pretty smart to be in a school with a fancy name:p but hard work now will pay off and you can laugh at ppl like Morgan who smokes weed all the time. Good luck to ya.

[GameDude]

For one thing, get out of an all boys school. 8)

[Battousai1002]

Any advice on how to stop my videogame/computer addiction?
Remove them from your room or other "convenient places" to play them. The easier it is to sit down and play or type, the harder it'll be for you to do your work. Set aside a LIMITED and dedicated time to play, and stick to it. Same with homework. Have a dedicated area for homework, and a dedicated area for play and don't mix the two.

That is GREAT advice. I had the same sort of problem before, due to all the distractions I have at home. Now i go to the library or Borders all the time and get my work done there. As for the other questions...

Any study techniques that you may find useful?

history: Take notes on the book. Make sure you understand everything that's happening. This takes a LONG TIME, but it's helped me quite a bit, considering I used to only skim the text.

english: Get help on essays and stuff. The more people that revise your essays, the better it will be....especially if your teacher does it.

Any advice/websites on how to do Algebra 2 or Trigonometry?

Ask people. I'm personally very good at math, but seeing that people ask me stuff all the time, I can see that it helps a lot. You could even IM me as long as I'm not that busy.

Any advice on how to improve my social skills?

Uhhh....This is a tricky one... I suppose, listen to the other people. But don't FORCE yourself into a group. I hate people that do that.

For girls...I had that sort of problem, though it wasn't major. It got better for me after I stopped having crushes. Now I can talk to nearly anyone freely. Except this doesn't help you, since you can't just stop your crushes... Though I didn't try it, Supernothing's advice sounds like it just might work.

Any tips on how to relax and calm myself down when I'm uptight?

For me, it's music. Music chills my mind all the time. If you have some music you really love, that could help. I'd imagine that playing an instrument would do the same, but I only touch my piano once a week.

Any tips on how to improve my son-mother relationship?

I probably can't help you much here, since I think my case is very different from yours. sorry.

And i agree with GameDude. If you can, get out of there. You're seriously depriving yourself of a normal social life. If you can't because of your parents or something, at least try to chill in various other places with plenty of exposure to society. (But don't let it get in the way of your math.)

[Tespo125]

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still reading your suggestions and putting them into action. Thanks for the all the advice, although you make it sound so easy. I know I'm not the only one with these issues, so more comments are very welcome.

[pimp tyranny]

i thought Algebra II was pretty hard. i got an 89. however, i didn't work very hard in it. i did get a 1500 on the SAT in November. 16 would put you in 10th, i'm guessing. strangely enough, that's the year i did best in school. ninth grade i didn't do that great, and i'm a senior now.

[Tespo125]

Actually I'm a junior (11th grade). Freshman and sophomore years were a breeze. I've never had any problems with any subjects up until this year. I don't know what happened.

[defender]

go to church on sunday and pray to jesus

[Forest Mercenary]

Eh, here's a suggestion. I dunno about you, but I always seem to talk better online. If you're the same, then ask the girl you like for her AIM sn. Granted, you have to work up the nerve to actually ask her (which I really used to suck ass at), but after that it's a piece of cake. In fact, getting to the point of asking a girl out is a lot easier online. And like I previosuly said, talking is alot easier online, becase of the delete button...

Besides, most hot girls suck ass at typing, so feel free to relax and review everything you say before sending it.

P.S. love that running... "thing." :)