Dear counselor,

I have not enjoyed my school since I started studying from there. Be it students or academics, everything irritates me, I was considering even changing the school. Do you think this is a good idea?

Yours Elizabeth

If you don’t like school, the first step you should take is finding out why. School doesn’t have to be a jail filled with only negatives. School challenges are inevitable life encounters that may often come with painful experiences and may prevent you from making any progress. Whether you find school hard, unexciting or hectic, you can learn to make it easier and a lot more fun. Perhaps, the work is too hard or you may be getting farther and farther behind, so it seems like you’ll never catch up. Maybe you are dealing with worries, stress or problems that make it hard to concentrate on school work. Having established the cause, you will be right on your way towards having a potential solution to your problem. 

Be prepared for class and budget your time more effectively and shut down all avenues of self isolation and boredom. Joining study groups and school clubs can be an excellent strategy for enhancing your motivation, fostering intellectual agility and encouraging cooperation with fellow students. This is because such groups will inspire you to practise and sharpen a number of skills like communication and critical thinking which provide opportunity for intensive understanding and ultimately improved academic performance. Pair up with high achieving school buddies and often talk to them about things you both like, or try giving them a simple compliment about their looks or behaviour.

Train yourself to develop organisational habits that will teach you to be a self-managing and organised student both of which have great contribution to your pleasure and self worth. Research shows that changing school is repeatedly being an outsider by having to re-integrate into new school environments and may lead to feelings of exclusion and low self-esteem. Don’t push the panic button just yet if you have to make academic progress simply because the social isolation that comes with it might be an independent factor in contributing to a sense of social defeat.

Teachers have what it takes to help you get out of this dilemma. So get closer to them and explain your situation.

Find your balance and be a well integrated part of the social network to avoid any wrenching social and emotional troubles that may come with boredom. You will soon make it.

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YOU DEBATE

Valance Hafashimana, student

Keep in mind that changing schools may not necessarily change your situation. There are many reasons which may lead a student not to enjoy school, which usually include lack of friends and not loving what you study. Review your life at school, and work on the major reason why you want to leave,. If it’s about friends, try and make some and things will get better.

Aliyse Ineza, student

There are many ways you can enjoy your school, for instance, participating in extracurricular activities. Your engagement in such activities can open your mind to new ideas, enlighten you and pave a way for different acquaintances, thus opening your mind to more skills and knowledge. Eventually this can help you make most of your school time.

Chantal Zuba, university student

Make studying fun and interesting. It’s true that sometimes academics can be a little boring, especially when you’re studying something you are not passionate about, but that’s not supposed to make you change schools. Make your studying enjoyable by joining a revision group and be eager to learn. This, eventually, will help you gain interest in your school and what you study.

Steven Muhumuza, university student

Before you take the decision to change schools, give it another thought and look for a solution one more time. For instance, consider sharing your situation with a teacher you’re free with or a student you interact with and let them advise you on how to go about this.

By Dennis Agaba