Student dreads return to school

DEAR AMY >> I’m entering my second year of high school.

I’m a straight-A student and I plan to graduate my junior year.

My problem is, I hate school. I don’t have any close friends my age, I feel trapped and hopeless every time I even think of school. I hate the thought of textbook work, presentations, group projects, exams and everything about school. Summer is ending and every time I think of going back I feel so hopeless and depressed.

Countless times I’ve thought about dropping out, but I know that would make my future much more of a struggle.

I just lost my only close friend, and I have marching band to make things more stressful.

Do you have any suggestions on how to make school more tolerable — or any ideas about other ways to get a diploma without being in a physical school? — Desperate DEAR DESPERATE >> You sound like a talented student, and you might do better taking some classes at your local community college, or through online courses, versus spending all day at your high school this semester. Attending part time as you supplement your education in other ways is something to explore with your parents and your academic guidance counselor at school. They might suggest starting out the school year, and waiting to see how things go for you once school is underway. I hope you will keep up with your marching band commitments — or other schoolbased activities — as a way to stay connected with others in a non-academic environment.

The loss of your only close friend leaves a very big hole in your life, and it is natural for you to feel very sad, depressed and anxious about returning to school. If you find these feelings continue to derail you — or get worse — and you lose sleep or have trouble eating or concentrating, please tell an adult immediately and ask for help. I hope your parents will be open to exploring options with you.

The Crisis Text Line is available for anyone in crisis who needs to communicate. You simply send a text and are immediately connected with a counselor.

Add this number to the contacts list in your phone: 741-741 (I have it in mine).

DEAR AMY >> I love reading yours’, and every advice column.

This is the first time I felt the need to weigh in, and it’s in response to “Concerned Daughter,” whose elderly mother won’t stop driving. My husband was killed at 45 by an elderly driver less than a mile from our home. He left behind daughters, ages 10 and 13. That was seven years ago.

We were such a typical, normal, happy, loving family. We have never been able to put our lives back together. It tore our family apart. All three of us have had nearly successful suicide attempts. We have all been in therapy for years, but nothing can repair the damage that was done.

Take the keys. — Anne DEAR ANNE >> This is heartbreaking. Thank you.