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Why do I get anxiety when I think about school?

Why do I get anxiety when I think about school? Oh, I don’t know, maybe because it’s a place where creativity goes to die and individuality is squashed like a bug under a size 12 shoe? But hey, let’s dive into this delightful topic, shall we?

First off, let’s talk about the sheer joy of waking up at the crack of dawn, dragging yourself out of bed, and preparing to enter a building that feels more like a prison than a place of learning. I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of stale cafeteria food mixed with the faint scent of teenage despair? It’s practically a cologne at this point.

Now, let’s get real. Anxiety about school is basically a rite of passage. It’s like a badge of honor that says, “I’m a teenager, and I’m totally overwhelmed by the expectations of a system that doesn’t care about me.” You sit in class, staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until you can escape. And what are you escaping to? A world where you can actually be yourself, free from the judgment of teachers who seem to have forgotten what it’s like to be young.

And let’s not forget the social aspect. Ah, yes, the delightful game of “Who Can Fit In the Best?” It’s like a reality show, but without the prize money. You’ve got the jocks, the nerds, the goths, and the “I’m just here for the Wi-Fi” crowd. It’s a melting pot of anxiety, and you’re just trying to figure out where you fit in. Spoiler alert: if you're on this site, you probably don’t.

School is supposed to be about learning, right? Wrong! It’s about memorizing facts for a test that you’ll forget the moment you walk out the door. It’s about sitting in a classroom for hours on end, listening to someone drone on about subjects that have zero relevance to your life. I mean, when was the last time you used the Pythagorean theorem to solve a real-world problem? Exactly.

So, why do we feel anxious? Let’s take a moment to talk about the relationship between anxiety and creativity, because it’s a juicy topic that deserves some spotlight.  When you’re being creative, you’re in a flow state, where worries fade away and inspiration takes the wheel. But school is like a creativity vacuum, sucking the life out of your ideas and replacing them with standardized tests and rigid structures. When you’re forced to conform and stifle your unique voice, anxiety creeps in like a shadow, making it harder to tap into that creative spark. So, it’s no wonder that the more school tries to squash your creativity, the more anxious you feel.

But here’s the good news: you’re not alone. There are alternatives out there, and they’re not as scary as they seem. You don’t have to be trapped in a system that doesn’t value you. There are people like Peter Gray, John Taylor Gatto, and Laurie A. Couture who understand that education can be so much more than what we’re given. They’re out there advocating for a world where learning is about passion, curiosity, and exploration.

So, the next time you feel that familiar knot in your stomach when you think about school, remember that it’s okay to feel this way. It’s a sign that you’re not just a cog in the machine. You’re a unique individual with dreams and aspirations that go beyond the four walls of a classroom. Embrace that anxiety, and let it guide you toward a path that truly resonates with who you are.

You are so much more than a grade on a paper or a number in a system. So, take a deep breath, roll your eyes at the absurdity of it all, and remember: you’ve got this. And if all else fails, there’s always the option of becoming a professional cat video critic. Just saying.

Posted in: Anxiety, Creative Writing on June 6, 2025 @ 7:10 AM

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