Dear Charlie

An advice Column by Steele Clevenger

Dear Charlie,

I am a senior, and I strive to receive above-average grades. But with college application due dates approaching, I can’t help but feel anxious. 

I am in the process of writing college applications, but I often feel sick when I write them. What if I don’t get accepted into the college I want? What if this application changes the course of my entire life?

I just want to feel relaxed when thinking about my future. What should I do?

Signed,

Stressed and Depressed

Dear Stressed and Depressed,

I know it can be hard to complete a task when you feel stressed; everything becomes dull and dismal, leading you to feel unhappy.

When talking to biology teacher Lara Shamieh about student stress, she said, “Kids are always pressured to do too much. There’s no time for kids to just be kids and have fun anymore.”

Said Shamieh, “Write down five things each day about [yourself] that you are thankful for,” a technique used to cope with stress and feelings of insufficiency.

“It’s pretty amazing, when you [ask] someone to look for the good in themselves, how much they can find.”

Scripture teacher Christina Barry also suggests positive self-talk to determine future happiness and success.

“[There is] this pressure to be the perfect version of yourself, which doesn’t exist. Notice the voice of truth in [your] life instead of listening to negative voices that [get you down].”

Remember to be kind to yourself and let life run its course. Everything will work itself out in the end.

Signed, 

Charlie

Dear Charlie

I am a sophomore enjoying my classes, and my teachers are intelligent and helpful. However, my social life seems to have disappeared. I have some friends who I see in the hallways and eat lunch with, but I don’t feel like any of them know me.

My relationships with my friends are fading, and the loneliness is affecting everything I do. Please help!

Signed,

Lonely

Dear Lonely,

If you feel your relationships are stale, scripture teacher Christina Barry recommends writing down your feelings in a journal, as well as talking out your problems with a trusted friend.

“If [you] surround [yourself] with healthy relationships and positive people, it will affect who [you] become,” said Barry.

English teacher Konrad Reinhardt said teachers, coaches, and parents are quick to jump in and solve problems instead of listening. He said allowing students to talk about their problems and then deciding how to solve them on their own empowers them.

Talk to a trusted adult about your feelings of loneliness, whether that be a teacher, counselor, or coach. Perhaps in talking about you problems you can devise a solution to help manage the situation, or the person you talk to may be able to provide advice on how to cope.

Signed, 

Charlie

Charlie encourages you to talk to a counselor or trusted adult if you have any concerns.