hey there, first of all i'd like to thank you for all you do on your blod <3. so i'm on a 4-7 week waitlist for residential ED treatment, and i still have to go to school and stuff but i'm failing some of my classes, i hate school bc i can't focus and i'm just really struggling. idk how i'm supposed to get through these weeks. my guidance counselor said "one day at a time" but every day feels more painful than the one before. how can i make these weeks bearable?? thank you, much love <333
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Hi there,
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. It is great that you are seeking treatment. I wish you the best of luck! I am pleased to know that are in touch with your guidance counselor.
I think it is a good idea to pinpoint what, exactly, is making school such an unbearable place. Are there particular people making it difficult for you, or are your teachers too intense? Think about what it is that is making it difficult, and tackle each situation one at a time. Breaking the school situation down into smaller situations can help you tackle each one. Your guidance counselor is a great ally who can help you come up with a game-plan. The two of you can talk about your specific struggles and figure out the best way to handle them.
Focusing on school can be challenging—especially when you have a lot going on. Something that may be helpful is to be present—participate in discussions, ask questions if you don’t understand, and take notes. Here are some tips to on focusing while studying that may help you: https://www.nshss.org/blog/10-tips-on-how-to-stay-focused-in-high-school/. Creating a schedule may also help you balance out study-times. Write down when your quizzes and exams are, and set aside some time for studying everyday. Some people find making flash-cards helps with studying also. Here are some tips on different ways to study: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/top-10-tips-study-smarter-not-longer-study-skills.
One of my favorites is spacing out the studying. Oftentimes, we think we have to study every subject in the same setting, but we don’t. You can give yourself a break in-between each study session. It is also a good idea to talk with each individual teacher about your struggles. Remember, your teachers do not want to see you fail. Their job is to teach you. Though these tips are for parents, I think they can work for anyone: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/8-tips-for-talking-about-bad-grades/. I especially like number four: approach the subject with concern, not anger. Let your teachers know your concerns, and ask what can be done to improve your grades.
You may have heard some of these tips before, but these may help you keep going during these next few weeks. These are tips on coping with an ED: https://eatingdisorderfoundation.org/learn-more/about-eating-disorders/coping/. One of my favorite tips is journaling. Journaling is a great way to help you process what is going on around you as well as your thoughts and feelings. Don’t be afraid to reach out to loved ones when you need to. Communicating with those around you is very important. Be clear about what you do and do not need.
Hang in there,
Andrea