[karen1004]

Hi everyone from a very nervous 16 year old. Tomorrow its back to school but as I missed lots of last year due to illness, I have to go back tomorrow and start year 11 all over again whilst my friends start 6th form, and I'm dreading it.

I go to a private all girls school and it;s quite strict as well and mum is saying I'm being silly worrying but going back a year is horrible, as I know all my friends of my real year will have so much more freedom and treated as young adults and I'll still be treated as a young girl. And I won't be able to see my friends much either as obviously they will be in different lessons and even at lunchtimes, they'll be in their 6th form rooms and I'll not be allowed in there.

My other main dread is that I have to wear uniform still whilst my friends in the 6th form don't, and my uniform is horribly old fashioned and the school is very strict how it is worn. My mum is bad too about that as she expects it to be worn properly at all times too, and she has already told me that tomorrow she is sending me back in my summer uniform and not winter as it is still decent weather, so that means tomorrow I'll be wearing a white short sleeved blouse, lightweight knee length grey skirt, pale blue blazer, pale blue cardigan, white ankle socks and flat black lace-up shoes. So something any 16 year old would want to wear. Not sure what is worse, but I think it has to be the socks! Tights aren't allowed with summer uniform and even with the winter uniform only thick grey opaque tights are allowed! And just if you think it can't get any worse on a few special days in the year like speech day and for church, we have to wear a horrible boater hat.....

So as you can gather it doesn't sound to much fun for me, and as always mum has told me that tonight it is back to a strict bedtime too of no later than 10 o'clock as it will be for every school night.

So anyone else here any fears like me or can offer any advice???? And do any of you have any awful uniforms you have to wear, not that they could be worse than mine.

Karen

[Kryptonite]

Hiya Karen-

Glad you have gotten better, and I'm sorry you had to be held back a year. You can view this in two ways: Positively or negatively. I suggest a positive view. Imagine all of the new friends you will make, even though they are a year younger. And though a uniform sucks (I know, I have to wear one), eventually you'll be out of the uniform. Don't sweat it. Just focus on getting an education, and soon youll move up in schooling.

If you need any help, leave me a message of VM/PM

[Musicalpsycho]

Hey karen, Jared is right about viewing this positively, even though it may seem difficult. See this year as a chance to do things properly by using the experience of what work you were able to do last year, the other girls in your year won't have that so already you have a head start in that respect.

Just try to focus on your GCSEs because they form the basic core of anything you may want to do in higher education and employers will look at them too (although mostly maths and english). By the way, there's a big gap between GCSES and A levels so you'll have an extra year to prepare for that.

About the anxiety, I think most people get that after a long time away from school and the people there so you're not alone in that.

Sorry this was such an essay, I hope it helped in some way, feel free to message me if you want to talk or if you need help.

[x3littlemissx3]

I agree with the above. If you have a positive attitude, things won't seem so bad. Focus on the important things and everything else will seem small.

[Vampenstine]

Hey Karen,

I'm glad to hear your feeling better.
I agree with what the others have said.
If you go in there feeling positive then it won't feel nearly as bad! Keep your head up high and be confident that you can get used to it and get through the coming year. Feeling nervous is natural if you've been out of school for a while, but by time you get there it probably won't be as bad as you thought.
Think of the new friends you'll make, they may be a bit younger than you but I'm sure they'll be good friends nevertheless. Try to focus on your education and you'll soon be back to where you should be. As Callum has said, the GCSE's are the main thing you want to focus on.
As for the uniform, I'm afraid there is not much you can do about that. You won't have to wear it for long, so just think of how relieved you'll be when you can get rid of it!
If you need a chat or anything don't hesitate to PM/VM me, okay?
Hope it goes well for you.

[Apple]

Moved to the correct section.

[Nobartholem]

Theres something negative to think of in every situation.

The key is to ignore it, and focus on the positive.