Alrighty, stuff is coming up in a few weeks. What kind of stuff you might be asking? Well, for one thing, I’m going to a new school. It’s not just any kind of school. It’s an academy for music, art, theater, and foreign languages and you have to audition to get in. By a turn of events, I got in by auditioning for piano. So I’ll be going in for a piano major, I will get nice scholarships (Since not very many people make it in) and so forth so on. Happy me, right? There’s a few things. For one thing, I’ve never been to a big high school in my whole life. The first small high school I went to had one class for each grade. We were mixed with the middle school students, and there were roughly around 100 students in the whole school. Then I moved to an even smaller town that only had about 36 kids total in the school (this is mixing with the elementary and middle school), and only three teachers to teach the middle school and the high school. So I’m use to walking down the hallway and bam, there’s my class. Right next door is my next class or I just stay in the same classroom to be taught by the same teacher with a different subject. But the only teacher I learned from was my English teacher, and that’s why I’m going to this academy: To get a better education before I graduate. The only problem is that I’m really, really scared. I took a tour of the academy, and got super overwhelmed. There’s about six to seven different buildings. Each of them is about two to four stories high. You don’t know what classes you have until the first day of school when they hand your schedule out to you. I’m a senior, so this is my last year of high school so to say. I have a friend I’m going to go to school with, but I dunno if she’ll end up having the same classes as me. There’s also an A and B day. Meaning the schedule switches on me daily. For seconds, my parents are… well, having a hard time letting go of me. My dad never let me get a job, neither did my mom. Their motto is “Education first, then a job.” So I have no money what so ever to get ready for college. And if I can, I want to avoid doing a student loan. Another thing is that they won’t let me get a license. If I can’t pay for insurance, the rule is that I can’t have a license. But how am I suppose to do it if I don’t have a job and a salary to boot? So I have no car, no license, no money. Meh. And on top of that all (this worries me the most) is that my dad wants my mom to stay down in the city where I’m going to school at. What’s so bad about that? My mom has a case of mental illness. We lived in this city before (the place where I’m attending the academy) and that’s where it spiked the most. She got really bad while she was there, and it scared me and the rest of my family. My dad was out of town a lot, so I had to take the brunt of her mental illness. Not physically most of the time, but emotionally and mentally. Now my dad wants her to go back. She has medication to help, but I’m afraid she might stop taking it again. And I don’t want to worry about her while I’m going to school. I made arrangements to stay with my friend to stay at her house while I go to the academy, but my dad wants my mom there for an “escape”. He thinks me and my friend won’t be able to stand each other, and I’ll need someplace to escape to when we have a disagreement. It's true that I'll need places like that, but I’m still scared for my mom's mental health while she stays in the city. And plus, my brother needs my mom. He has Down syndrome, and he’s never been separated from one parent for very long. My dad is confident that he can take care of my brother while my mom is down in the city with me, but the truth is, he’s not at the house all the time to take care of my brother. And my brother needs constant attention and care. I talked to my parents about all of this… but they’re not listening to me. They keep trying to convince me other wise, and I’m tired of it. I’m about to turn 18, and I feel like I’m still like ten years old. *Sigh* I think that’s about it… Any advice? >> Help?
Well, I may not be much help but I wanted to say something here. First off, it's only a highschool. As big as it may be, it's okay to get lost and since a only a few people get it, I'm sure for the most part they'd be nice enough to help you get adjusted. As for money...study very hard. You'll need to in order to get scholarships and grants. Of course, you have to apply for those so start applying whenever you can. If you don't know how, ask your dad. ^^; About the rest of your family...just try to keep calm. The more you worry, the more it could spread. Negativity is like a disease and you can't really help the situation by worrying about your mom and brother too much. Maybe you could spend a little more time with your mom while you're over there just to make sure she's okay. Also, it's not like you'll never speak to your brother. On vacations(there has to be some kind of break) you can go visit your brother...For all you know, your dad might leave the house less to take care of him. I'm not sure what else I can say about that, sorry. Just try to look on the bright side, please? ^^
First of all, congratulations on getting into that academy. :] I know that things can seem overwhelming; new, bigger building, confusing schedule, etc. When I was first entering Middle School I felt the same way. I was so panicked about getting to class on time and making sure I got to the right class, forgetting my schedule, and so on. But really, you'll be surprised by how quickly you'll adjust. Within the first week or two of school you'll have your routes down pat. As for the first few days when you're just getting used to things, I'm sure your teachers won't mind if you get lost and are late to class; just explain to them that you're new and are still getting acclimated. They'll most likely understand. If it helps and it's possible, stay after school on your first day and learn your way around. As for your parents, most people have to go through something like that. If talking to them isn't getting you anywhere, writing them a letter might help. Just tell them everything you've told us: you want to go through college without accumulating a debt, and in order to do that you need to get a job. Considering you're almost 18, they really won't have a say in that for too much longer. In regards to wanting a car, I don't know what city you're going to be living in, but in NYC it's really not necessary to have a car; in some cases, it can even be a nuisance. Public transport should be able to get you from point A to B. If you're concerned for your mother's mental health and don't want her moving to the city with you, explain that to her. Clearly it would not only be bad for her but also for your brother for her to leave home, and while you're flattered that she's watching out for you, it is not the best idea. If she decides to anyway, try not to worry. This academy is for you, and you should not have to be concerned for your family while you're studying. Your parents are adults; they can deal by themselves for a little while.
I know something so new of going to a bigger high school can be overwhelming, but like I've told you before in previous conversations, it's your last year. Within the year, you'll get used to it all and make new friends. It's scary, I know. That's how it was with high school when I first entered, but by my third class, I already met someone and we started talking. And hell, I'm nervous with college myself. But it's only high school for now. This last year for you will fly by extremely quickly and you'll barely notice it until you're about to graduate. As for your parents, it really bothers me that they don't listen to you. I'm basically in that same spot as you, but they know how to treat me like an adult. Sit them down and talk. I know you've already done that before, but actually make them sit in front of you and listen to what you have to say. Also, you have an older sister, correct? Maybe talk to her about this as well and ask her for her help on this matter. It just might help you more than just talking to them on your own. Misty has a point. If you are worried about your mom being in the city again, ask her if she'd rather stay where she is now. She just might rather want to stay than to move back again. But if she does decide to go, just visit her every once in a while. I'm sure she'd like that. Keep your head up. You're a bright, caring girl. You'll get through this.
