Switching schools

[KaleidoscopeHeart]

Okay this is my first time posting so please be nice! I've been super stressed out lately because I'm trying to decide whether or not I should switch schools. The school I'm at now only offers advanced classes and IB classes junior and senior year, which so far have been difficult for me to follow and keep up with (I'm a sophomore). Plus, my best friend just switched schools and I don't really have a lot of other close friends, although the people are usually pretty nice as is the general atmosphere. The school I would transfer to has standard level classes (more my speed) and the rules and expectations are a lot more relaxed, although some of my least favorite people go there and there can be a lot of drama sometimes. Thanks to anyone who could make sense of that and offer any advice.

[Second Chance]

Everything depends on what your overall grades are and what your academic potential is. What I mean is that if you have the potential to do advanced classes and are more or less getting good grades now (B's or higher), then it would make no sense to switch schools. I know it is tempting to go to a school where a lot of your friends are and where the standards are lower/easier, but the reality is that a lot of the friends you have in high school you might not have beyond graduation. There was a really good thread around here somewhere asking people who have graduated from high school how many of their high school friends they still hang around with, and the majority did not associate with their high school friends anymore. You so don't want to choose a school just for your friends especially if there are people over at the new school who can cause you drama. In the end of the day we go to school to learn and push ourselves forward in life, and if you're currently in a school that will make sure you are well prepared for life after school be it college or work, then I would totally stay in such a school. Trust me, when you're out of high school, then you'll know what I'm talking about when I say to stay in the school that'll give you the best chance at getting life skills and giving you challenging classes rather than going to the school that is easier. The harder school will suck big time while you're there, but once you graduate, then you'll be far ahead of the folks who went to the easier school.

I really feel for you when it comes schoolwork, and my suggestion is to see if you can work with your existing teachers to see if there is something that can be done to salvage your situation. If you're having trouble keeping up, then at least give your teachers, counselors, or deans the opportunity to work with you at the existing school to see if the situation can be salvaged. If after all the interventions fail and you simply cannot make the grade, then switching might be your best bet. However, the fact that you had gotten into the tough school in the first place might be because you have the potential to make it through the classes. Again, talk with your teachers, counselors, and parents to see if you can fix the existing situation because you don't want to go from the frying pan right into the fire.

I understand your friend situation, and normally anyone would go to a school where're most of their friends are. With that being said, with your being a sophomore, you'll realistically only be with your high school friends for another two years tops. Switching schools for social reasons is totally not the way to go, and don't let social reasons make you commit academic suicide. Friends are totally important, and I am sure there is a way for you to stay at your current school and still have friends at the other school especially if you have a network of people there already. There are plenty of times when people go to one school only to have friends at another nearby school.


I guess what I'm saying is just make sure you try everything you can to salvage the situation at your current school before switching. Transferring schools is the worst, and if you can avoid doing that, then you'll be much better as a result.

[KaleidoscopeHeart]

I understand what you're saying, but I got into the school I'm at now through a lottery, and odds are I would never even see my friends, I would be going only for the school itself. having a small chance I would get any classes with them would be a bonus. I'm meeting with the counselor sometime this week about the workload so we"ll see how that goes.

[Second Chance]

I understand what you're saying, but I got into the school I'm at now through a lottery, and odds are I would never even see my friends, I would be going only for the school itself. having a small chance I would get any classes with them would be a bonus. I'm meeting with the counselor sometime this week about the workload so we"ll see how that goes.

Let us know how things turn out, and I hope your current school can work out something with you so that you are in classes that are best suited to your abilities.

If this means anything, sometimes you just might need to bite the bullet and may need to come to school early or stay after school with your teachers or an in-school tutor if you are having problems in certain classes. The reality is no one is going to go to you offering help, and you have to go to them no matter what school you attend be it high school and beyond. If you take the initiative to get help, then nearly all teachers will meet you half way. I have seen some teachers refuse to fail students because the student would make use of as many help sessions as possible and worked hard.

Finally, you might want to double check to see if your method of studying and doing homework might be at the root of your problems. Many times the way we did our schoolwork in elementary and junior high schools is not the best way to do schoolwork in high school and beyond. Especially if you have a lot of distractions when you do your homework, or if you are having trouble completing your homework and studying, then you should look at those things because without homework and studying, then there's no way you can do well in your classes. Reach out to your counselor if you're having trouble doing homework or if your study habits need improvement.

[KaleidoscopeHeart]

Well, I've decided to make the switch and I'll be starting next week. Thanks to those who replied for your help!

[martogogo]

it looks to be hard

[Loner_97]

Relax. Change your school. Let's see what happens. better than to wonder later right? :)