Boring Anonymous

Hi, I'm not sure whether or not this advice column is still open, but I'm going to give it a shot. One of my really close friends said I'm boring and I'm not sure what I should do about it. I am thinking about not being friends with this person anymore because I don't want to hang out with someone who has no interest in what I have to say. This is a muli-faceted question; I would like some advice on how to be less boring. I feel like my friend might be right, and that scares me.
p.s. Please don't just tell to be myself because that's what I do and it doesn't seem to be working.
Sincerely-
A Boring Person

 

Sorry for the late response!!
Well, we are not sure whether or not you will ever see this, but in case you do, here is our very late response. First, we want to thank you for the p.s.! We know thats something almost anyone would say in giving you advice, to be yourself. And you have a point. Obviously, you are being yourself, but your friend still thinks you are boring. To fix this, why dont you try asking your friend what she thinks is fun and try doing that with her. If you and her dont like doing the same things, then try to find something you both like doing. There is a reason you guys are friends, so dont think that you guys are not meant to be friends just because you dont consider the same things fun.
Another thing. Dont be scared of who you are! There are so many was you can be fun. Like we said before, try to find an activity you both like doing. If that fails, then try to see what your friend thinks isnt boring, like certain tv shows or songs, and go from there. Surprise her one day. Do something that you usually dont do. If you never sing out loud then one day surprise her with one of her favorite songs! It might seem silly, or out of your comfort zone, but she will be so shocked. (in a good way!)
And always remember to be confident and proud of who you are. Even if youre not confident, pretend you are. Who else is going to notice? By doing that, youll eventually become confident in yourself. We hope this helps and hopefully things have gotten better between you and your friend!
Best of luck,
Priory Peers =)

Best Friends

Hey Reed and Maggy,
My best friend is coming back from an exchange trip at the beginning of the summer. However, my two best friends from this year are leaving next year. I am nervous about whether or not we will still be good friends after a year. Furthermore, I would like to know if you have any advice on how I can make sure I stay friends with the two friends that are leaving. (one is leaving the country (for a semester) and the other is staying back a year)


Hi there! 
Well, how exciting that your best friend is coming back! That's awesome. However, it is sad that your two best friends are leaving next year. The best thing to do would be to pursue keeping in touch with them! If you have facebook, that's an excellent way to keep in touch with people. You can even call them or maybe video chat with them! Of course, technology isn't the only way to keep in touch. If you or your friends will be unable to communicate through technological means, then you should write letters to each other! Find out what adresses they will be at and send each other letters, back and forth. It may not be as fast as communicating throught emails or telephone calls, but it totally works. We think that as long as you find ways to keep in touch with these friends, you have nothing to worry about. Another thing is that if you guys are really good friends, then nothing should ever change. Yes, you may be miles and miles apart. However, all those memories you guys have had together will remain in your heart and in theirs. The best of friends are those that you can see a year later, and it will feel like you've been with each other the whole time. Some people aren't really good at keeping in touch, so make sure to tell your friends and agree on something that all of you guys can do to communicate with each other. Our last piece of advice would be to enjoy as much time as you can with the ones leaving and the one returning, because that will make your friendship blossom even more. We really really hope that you and your friends remain close, which we're sure you will, and remember that distance should never set a friendship apart. :) 


Love always, 
Priory Peers

-slightlyconfuzzled.

hey priory peers,

i feel as though school is causing me to distance myself from socialization. im getting overworked lately, and i dont seem to find the free time to spend time with them. and the problem now is, when i do get the time, i feel behind, because i have not talked to them in awhile and have been left in terms of topics of conversation. also, i feel like some of my friends have changed, talking about things i feel uncomfortable about. what should i do? 

-slightlyconfuzzled.


Hello -Slightlyconfuzzled, 
Let us start off by saying how much we admire your dedication to your studies. Education is a huge factor is high school, because it will help structure a bright and successful future for you. However, we COMPLETELY understand how you can feel excluded or distant from your friends. Schoolwork, unfortunately, has the power to do that. Too much schoolwork can make you miss out on important social events, or even simple things, like a friend's birthday, or just overall hanging out with your friends. What we would suggest is to confront your friends. You might want to start with one friend and tell them what's been going on and how you feel. They should be able to understand and maybe help you catch on on what you've missed. If you find yourself lost in the conversation when all of your friends are gathered together, you might want to stop them and nicely say, "Hey guys! Is it okay if you guys let me know what you're talking about?". Like we said before, they should be able to understand. However, if they don't tell you anything and keep quiet, you might want to ask them individually what's been going on. Your friends need to be able to respect how much work you've been putting in to school and understand that it's been hard for you to keep up with your friends. 
Now, if your friends are talking about things you don't feel comfortable, you might want to tell them, too. Tell them how you feel awkward talking about certain subjects. They should be able to respect that and talk about something else. Also, if you've noticed they've changed a bit, there's nothing you can really do about it. However, they should keep treating you the same way. If they treat you differently, and you don't like it, call them out on it. Ask them way they've all of a sudden changed, but don't be afraid to ask or talk to them. They are your friends after all, and you should be able to confide in them and talk to them about whatever you want without having them judge you. As we've already said, the best thing would be to talk to them individually first, as most people work better when they're on their own, and go from there. Friends are so important in high school, but you also need to remember not to take on too many subjects you can't handle. Try to balance school with friends. That's always important. We're not telling you take easy classes. Take whatever classes you want, but make sure you'll know how to balance school with your social life, so you won't be stuck in this situation too often. We are grateful that you have confided in us to tell us your problem, and if you ever need a friend, we are here to listen and respond back! It may not be the best advice ever, but we hope it gives you at least an idea on what to do. :) 


Best of luck, 
Priory Peers

-notjustteenangst-

hey guys,

i've been battling depression. And it's not the stereotypical one where you see the person upset all the time. It's like for me, i can put on that smile on my face and go to school. I can laugh and joke and make people laugh, but at the end of the day, i cry myself to sleep. I've been battling it for about ive years and it's slowly consuming my life. I feel like i'm losing control and i don't know what to do. I'm not afraid that i'm going to potentially do something harmful, but i am afraid of permanently losing the will to live. It takes so much just to get out of bed.

What do i do? 

-notjustteenangst-


-Notjustteenangst-, 
We completely understand that this is not just teen angst, like you say. Depression is a serious condition, and unfortunately, we aren't professionals, so we can't give you any medical advice. However, we will try very much to give you advice on how to enjoy life a little more, because in the end, we just want you to be happy.
We totally get where you're coming from. We think the type of depression you have is probably the hardest, because you actually have to hide your emotions for most of the day. We admire you already for being such a strong person, because we both know it is not easy to hide our emotions whenever we're feeling blue. 
We are so relieved to hear that you are not considering harming yourself. Please continue to do so, as hard as it may be, because you have no idea how many good thing may lie ahead of you. 
As for losing the will to live, there are some options to help you be a happier person. If you have a good support system, such as family or friends, try and spend as much time with them as possible, because they are your number one fans and want you to be happy just as much as we do, if not more. If you feel like you can confide in your friends, or in at least one of your friends, talk to them. Tell them how you really feel and they should be able to understand. You have no idea how much better you'll feel once you learn to express your emotions. Plus, you won't have to hide them all the time from your friends. Family and friends are probably the most important thing when dealing with any form of depression. You want to make sure they have your back and accept you for who you are. 
Something else you might want to try are different, fun activities. Think about what you like to do. If you like to sing, try to join a choir at school or some sort of club that has singing. If you like sports, then try to play sports with a friend or join some sort of sports team. Hobbies can really help a person relieve themselves of any stress or problems they're dealing with. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. Then you'll be able to have even more friends and an even stronger support system, which will allow you to focus more on something you enjoy doing. 
However, something you must always remember is: do not lose hope! We all have those moments when life just seems to suck. Everything seems pointless and we don't know what to do. For some people it may last a couple of days, maybe even weeks. For others it could last up to a year or more! But you must remember that you have no idea what's in store for you. Something might come along the way that you would have never expected and completely change your life for the better. 
Summer is just around the corner, so try to find a way to hang out with your friends and get your mind off of anything negative. Tell that little voice in your head to be quiet, because you want to enjoy life, have fun, and be happy. 
We hope this helped you with your problem. We aren't professionals, but we just want to let you know that you always have someone here who cares, whether it be a parent, friend, teacher, or peer advisor. We wish you the best in everything that you do and may you feel much better soon, so you can enjoy life and be a happy person. :)


Much love, 
Priory Peers 

Dontwanttobealcoholic

Priory Peers,


My friends like to go to parties. I go with them and first its fun but then ppl start drinking and stuff and I dont like it. Alcoholism runs in my family and I dont want to become one. I dont want to miss out on the fun at parties tho and I want to be invited to them. What do I do?


-Dontwanttobealcoholic

Dear Dontwanttobealcoholic,
If your friends are your true friends they would not pressure you to drink. You can have plenty of fun at parties without the need to drink. If your recieving pressure from your friends, tell them to lay off because your having enough fun without alcohol, and if they continue to bug you about it, they aren't your true friends. Your personal integrity is very important to respect and if others don't respect it, then they aren't great friends. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Priory Peers

A

Hi Priory Peers:)

I am worried that a good friend of mine is going through depression. I have noticed she has these terrible cuts on her legs, and I am worried that she is cutting herself. I have no idea what to do. Should I approach her, or should I just leave her alone? I don't want to pressure her into telling me anything, I know this is something very difficult to cope with, but what if she takes it too far? Help please!

Love, A


Dear A, 
the first thing we know you should definitely do is not leave her alone! If she is going through depression or a tough situation, this is when she needs you most. Just being there for her is a great help. If you and your friend are really close, then you should try asking her about it in a discreet manner. You don't want to ask her directly, because she might feel attacked and possibly get mad at you. 
If she does end up telling you what's going on, all you can really do is be there for her. If she continues to hurt herself, you might want to inform her parents or an adult you know your friend has good trust in. In the end, she should know you're doing all this because you really care about her, so there shouldn't be any reason for her to get mad at you. Most of the time, however, people do get mad but you should know that you have done nothing wrong. On the contrary, you're being an excellent friend. 
If she doesn't tell you what's going on, then you should still tell a trustworthy adult. Now, you don't want to assume anything because it might be that she really isn't cutting herself. However, it is always good to have someone you can trust, but also someone who will be able to help you if anything goes wrong. We aren't professional therapists, but we hope this gave you at least an idea of what to do with your friend. We already think what you're doing is great and we wish you the best of luck, as well as your friend, too. :) 


With care, 
Priory Peers

Feeling Fat

Dear Priory Peers,
I've been worrying a lot about my weight recently. Summer is coming soon and I want to look good in a bathing suit. I feel like I gained alot of weight and whenever I look in the mirror I feel fat. How can I look/feel good in a swim suit again?
-FeelingFat


Dear FeelingFat, 
there is a difference between 'feeling' fat and being fat. There are so many girls who say they are fat, when in reality, they are just the right size. The only way to find out if you are "fat" is to see if you're overweight or not. If you aren't, then you should not have to be worrying so much about your appearance, because you know you're at a healthy weight! If you are at a good weight, but still have some issues with your body, maybe you can look up some simple exercises that will help tone whatever you think needs work.
However, if you're overweight, you might want to consider eating a little healthier or maybe doing some exercise, like walking around downtown or going on a bike ride with a friend. It may seem like minor exercise, but it really does help! 
But remember, don't let the mirror fool you!!
If you're worried about your friends or family judging your body in a bathing suit, you shouldn't be. Your friends and family already accept you for who you are. They don't care how skinny you are or how big you are. They love you for who you are, so it's also important to feel comfortable around your friends and make sure that they love you just as much as you do. 
The biggest piece of advice we can give you is not to go on eating disorder diets, like skipping a meal, or not eating at all. You may think it will help you lose weight faster and easier, without exercising, but it really doesn't. Yes, you may lose weight, but you're still going to look the same if not worse, so it's not worth it. Plus, it can bring on some major health issues, so please do not try it! You are beautiful just the way you are. That's how you were made, and as long as you have family and friends who love you, there is no reason you should worry about what you look like. Have a fantastic summer and rock that body, regardless of what it looks like! :) 


Love, 
Priory Peers

PEACEOUTHATERS

I can't control myself around boys 
and I just can't say no! 
How do I just be friends with a boy?

- PEACEOUTHATERS


Hello PEACEOUTHATERS. 
So, there is no way we can physically make you control yourself. The only thing we can do is to give you advice. The first thing is you should try to be good friends with all of these guys. You might want to start by hanging out with them and doing wholesome activities, such as going out to lunch or going to the movies. You also might to try hanging out more with your girl friends and talking to them about it, because they might be able to help you out with this problem, too. We are sorry if we weren't of much help, but we really do hope you learn how to control yourself more amonst these men, as that will help you enjoy life and have good guy friends to depend on. :) 


From, 
Priory Peers

T

Soo... I really like this boy but his friend told me that he likes my sister instead. She always steals my men! ):


ALSO... she doesn't even like him!


How do I win his heart? (;




love, T.

Dear T,
Hmm..well first piece of advice is to not always trust rumors told to you. It may well be this boy's friend is trying to trick you, or is just flat out wrong. However, even if he is right, there are ways around this.  First, if you have a good relationship with your sibling, talk to them about this, and maybe you guys can come up with an agreement. If your sister truly doesn't like him, it shouldn't be much of a problem at all. Next, since you won't be getting any competition from your uninterested sister, try to just befriend this guy yourself! Spend time around him, get to know him, and with your sister's support, he may change his feelings! However, love comes naturally. You can't force it. Just be yourself and try to befriend this boy first and see how things grow from there. Good luck to you!

Sincerely,
Priory Peers 

Flattering Student

how can i tell if i am a gud dancer at skewl dances
i am so self conscious about the way i dance


thanks reed
- u da best

Dear Flattering Student,
Aww thank you whoever you are, what a nice compliment :) As for advice..hmm..to be perfectly honest I'm not a great dancer as well. I just tend to jump up and down to music with friends when I do dance. The most important thing to do however is to be confident. Whether your trying to impress somebody or just have fun with friends, the experience is greatly enhanced when your confident about your actions and not worrying about what others think of your dancing. So really, your confidence level will directly affect your dancing, so the more confident you are, the cooler your dancing will be. Good luck to you!

Sincerely,
Priory Peer Reed 

Lovesick

Priory Peers,

I love this boy, but we're not in a relationship. He told me that he is in the process of getting over his ex, and I don't think I have a very good chance with him because we are like best friends. I want to tell him about my feelings for him because we are so close and we tell each other everything... But I'm nervous and scared to tell him because I don't know how he'll react. Also, I never get the chance to talk to him alone. But I NEED get this off my chest and tell him - I've been hiding it for way too long. Any ideas on how to approach this?

- Lovesick


Dear Lovesick, 
Oh the joys of being in love. Well, we think you should tell him. Try to find some way, maybe after school or something, to get him alone and talk to him. We strongly suggest in person. These type of talks aren't made for Facebook, text, or AIM. It may seem hard or nervewracking, and overall, terrible, but you need to do it. One of us has gone through a similar situation, so we know what it feels like. When you tell this person all of these feelings you have for them, it feels scary at first, but for someone reason, it also feels like a HUGE weight has been lifted off your shoulders. 
We would suggest that you make it clear that whatever happens, you still want to keep being really good friends, because friendship beats bf/gf relationships any day. Unfortunately, your conversation with him can go two ways. He could 1) tell you he feels the same way OR 2) tell you he DOESN'T feel the same way. If he says the first point, then great! Maybe, you guys could get to know eachother even more, and it would have been thanks to YOU who had the courage to tell him how you felt about him. However, if he says the second point, it will be hard at first. You'll feel like all those good, happy memories you've had with this person have suddenly disappeared and now it's all over. But, it's not! If you and him are best friends, like you say you are, then there is no reason you guys should stop being friends. These things happen. You can't control who you like. He should be able to understand. Even if he tells you he doesn't feel the same way about you, don't lose hope! He isn't the only guy on the planet. It may seem like he is now, but he's not. It might take days, weeks, even months, but trust us, you WILL get over him. Now, we can't predict how this situation will end, but we're just taking the general possibilities and advising you on what to do. 
So, tell this boy, no matter how hard it is, because you can't imagine how much better you'll feel, regardless of what happens after you tell him. :) 


Best of luck, 
Priory Peers

Anony Mouse

So I am terrible at studying for anything, so as you can imagine, finals are an end of the year death sentence. Any tips you might have to help me stay motivated or make studying any less mind numbing? Thanks!

love, 
anony mouse


Hey Anony Mouse! (cute name) 
Yes. Finals definetely ARE an end of the year death sentence. What you can do, however, is take it one step at a time. The good thing is that there's only 2 finals per day. They're not all in one day. What we would recommend is to maybe skim through all of your subjects maybe the weekend before finals, and maybe mark things you need to work on. Then, the day before certain finals, study solely for those finals. It will help your brian focus more and not have to worry about other subjects. If you only have one final a day, then it would be wise to study for a subject that is really worrying you. 
Another thing that really helps is studying with someone else. Someone who is dedicated, though, to studying. Try not to pick a friend who you know you're going to fool around with because then you won't get anything done! And we don't want that. Studying with somoene else is probably a good idea, because they can help you think of ways to remember a certain idea that you've always struggled with. You can also help eachother in the proccess, which will help you retain the information better. 
As for motivation, summer is JUST around the corner. You'll be done with school so so soon. Two more weeks of good, hard studying, and you'll be free to do whatever you want for three months! We wish you the best of luck on these tests, and we hope you do very well. But remember, stay focused! :) 

Unexuberant Student

Lately I've had no motivation to do...anything. All I want to do is lie around and stare at walls. My brain is not functioning. at all.


Any advice on how to keep motivation up at the end of the year?

Dear Unexuberant Student,
The end of the year can be rough on everybody, since your feeling like your so close to freedom, but you still have finals or a big project to overcome. We have two main suggestions for you. 
One is to try your best to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Summer vacation is within weeks, and we hope you have amazing fun travel plans or a very relaxed summer at home, whatever it is. Imagine how much it would suck to have to redo that work you slacked off on now over the summer...such a bummer right? Getting it done now saves you pain in the long run so keep that in mind.
The other approach is to give yourself small things to look forward to within these few weeks. For example, if you have a favorite TV show on next Tuesday, you should tell yourself "I'm going to finish this assignment so I can fully enjoy my show without worrying about finishing it later."
Try your best to push through till the end, there is not much time left so we bet you can do it. Whether its by keeping the summer in mind or by setting small things to look forward to in the short term, keep that motivation alive for just a little longer :)

Best of luck,
Priory Peers

Stressed Student

I'm worried about balancing classes I want to take with creating a good college app. I don't know what to do and it's stressing me out

Dear Stressed Student,
In our opinion, we think that classes you want to take should take priority over classes that look good.  We both have not taken a single AP and we have had GREAT high school experiences since we have enjoyed the classes we chose. If your lucky enough to find some APs or Honors classes that look fun, thats even better! But we think that making your college app sparkle is less important than enjoying what you learn.
If your insistent on taking tougher classes for college purposes, try it out for the first week or so next year. If it doesn't feel right or is too taxing, talk to Schlaack and he will be more than happy to give you classes you want to take. Regardless, the choice is yours, but if we were you, we'd take classes that'd make next year one to remember :)

Sincerely,
Priory Peers

Clueless

Hey, 
I self-harm, and am extremely self-conscious about my scars. I don't know what to do about them, or how to cover them up. It also turns out that a teacher reported me to 
Ms.____________ and she acted like a snobby jerk. 
So, I guess the question is, "What should I do?" 
Love,
Clueless


Dear Clueless, 
Let us just say that we are very sad to hear that you harm yourself. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. We care so much about any student at Priory, regardless of who you are, and it makes us sad to know that you are hurting yourself. We know we can't do anything to change that, but we just wanted to let you know that if you ever feel alone or anything, please let someone know! We know you might not like going to adults for advice or anything, but we have your best interest at heart and hope you feel better really soon. As for the scars, you might want to try covering them up with makeup or something. That can help a little. We don't know where the scars are located. You can also try certain types of clothing or jewelry (if you're a girl) to hide them. 
So, about the teacher...sorry we had to blank out the teacher's name! We just don't want to be held responsible if anything is said in this blog that insults a teacher in any way. However, we completely understand how you are feeling, because many kids feel misunderstood by adults, which is why we are here to help! 
If you are self-conscious about your scars, we STRONGLY suggest that you stop hurting yourself, which is why the scars are there in the first place. If there is something bothering you, we would be more than happy to try and help you with that problem (if it's not too extreme). Sadly, we are not professionals so our advice in this situation probably won't be too helpful. However, we think it's so great how you're turning to us for advice. The reason we made this was for people just like you who don't feel comfortable telling their problems to an adult. The only potential soultion we have is to confide this information in an adult or close friend that you trust dearly. Hopefully, they can help you find soultions so you don't feel the need to hurt yourself. We are sorry if this didn't really solve your problem, but we truly hope everything gets better. You are just as special as anyone else, whether you believe it or not. :) 


With care, 
Priory Peers

Blog Warnings

Hey guys!! 
First off, I'd like to say thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a question. You really are making our Senior Project thrive. Unfortunately, there has been a question that we had to remove because it was a little bit inappropriate. We would like to remind you that this blog is open to anyone, including teachers. However, if you do have a legit, honest question, we would be more than happy to help. Again, thanks so much for everything. You guys are awesome, and we hope to hear more from you guys. :) 


Yours truly, 
Priory Peers 

Baker

when I was walking out of class today some boys behind me asked if I worked in a bakery.

what does that even mean!??!

thanks for the help. 

-- Possible Baker..


Hello Possible Baker, 
Thank you for confiding in us. When we first read your question, we were a little confused. Unfortunately, we can't give you a clear definition of what a "baker" might possibly mean, but we CAN give you advice. If these people are calling you something that you don't know the meaning of, it is wise to ignore them. It may seem harmless, but if they are calling you this behind your back it is probably not a good thing. So, our advice would be to ignore them and not ask them about it, because that could just make them keep calling you that and annoy you even more. However, if this continues to happen and bother you, please contact us via this blog or in person if you want and we'd be more than happy to help. You can also go to a trustworthy adult if need be, but we're hoping it doesn't go to that extreme. Our final advice is to just ignore them, because they are most likely being ignorant teenagers. We hope things get better! :) 


From, 
Priory Peers

Self-Conscious

I feel like no one at school can see the real me and that I am judged for my appearance. How can I change this?

Sincerely,

Self-Conscious

Dear Self-Conscious

There are a few things to consider here. One is that your not showing your true self, even if you think you are. Sometimes, you may think your being true to yourself, but subconsciously, your letting society shape you, and thats something you can change and proceed to let go of society's grip. If however, you feel like your being completely true to yourself, then don't worry about them. It's very very hard to disregard society's views of you, but honestly, the only opinions that should matter to you are you friends, your families, and your own. So screw the other opinions and focus on the people who matter to you. If your not fully showing your true self, then let it shine, otherwise, keep on being you and don't let others tell you otherwise. :)

Best, 

Priory Peers

Troubled

Priory Peers,

Recently a lot of my friends have been "un-friending" me on facebook. Mostly, it's because I haven't seen them since I graduated from middle school. Nevertheless, I don't want to end our friendships, but because I now live so far away I can't really get a chance to see them anytime soon. How can I mend these friendships?

Sincerely,

Troubled


Hello troubled, 
we are really sorry to hear that your friends are "un-friending" you. However, there are some ways you can fix this! If it's because you haven't seen them since middle school, then you should call or text them if you have their phone number, just to check in and see how they're doing. We know it might seem awkward at first, but if you guys were good friends once, there's no reason you guys shouldn't be good friends now. You can also try connecting with them through other means, like email or something along those lines. Maybe you can send them a letter, too, if you have their address. 
However, if all of these things don't work, you need to realize that those people are not good friends because they don't care much about you, as hard as it may be. Friendship is something that's mutual, so you need to have friends who care about you just as much as you care about them. You shouldn't need to feel like it's your fault if they don't respond, because at least you reached out and tried to reconnect. A good friend would appreciate that and respond if they're interested in maintaining that friendship with you. We really hope this helps and that you hear from your friends very soon. :)


From, 
Priory Peers

Stressing Sophomore

Hey Priory Peers

My grades have been dropping 2nd semester, and my close friends are getting pretty judgmental. A few of them don't realize that they are being kinda mean...not realizing they are making insulting comments about my work ethic. what should I do? I'm trying really hard, but alot has been going on this semester that is too complicated to explain to them. 
Thanks!


Hi stressing sophomore, 
We hope this advice makes you feel a little less stressed because we really don't want you to be so stressed at such a young age! Okay. 

First, try to reason with your friends. Don't say exactly whats happening, just tell them that you are your own individual and you would appreciate it if they would respect that. 

Not everyone gets the best grades, and they need to understand that. Just tell them that there have been some things going on in your life that have been tough and have distracted you from school. If they ask what, just tell them it's personal and not the appropriate time to talk about it. You can also mention how you are trying your very best to try to bring your grades back up, because you really do care about your grades and that's great. Tell them though that in the meantime, it would be awesome if they could respect you on what's going on and on the grades you get. They should be supporting you not judging you. That's what real friends are for. 
If they continue to judge you, talk to them and remind them that you are trying your very best. 
However, they need to know how you feel about them acting like this so that would be the first obstable to tackle. Hopefully, they understand and stop making remarks, because you want to make sure you have supportive friends who won't judge you based on the grades you get. :) 


Best of luck, 
Priory Peers

Anonymous 5 (Grades)

My grades and rapidly dropping. I got a C- and a D- on my last two science quizzes
I got a C+ on an english essay
I got a D on my last history test
I got a C on my last language quiz

My GPA is gonna get so low and my parents are going to kill me. I study a ton. Admittedly, I do get sidetracked, but it's not like I don't try. I just don't get it and there's almost zero motivation in school (especially at the end of the year)

How can I break these grades to my parents and any tips on getting them back up? What do colleges look for?

Thank you!


Hey, thanks so much for trusting in us to help you with such a big problem. We completely understand where you're coming from. We've had those moments where we try and try so hard, but it just doesn't work out and it does suck. However, there are ways you can make this problem a little better. Unfortunately, we can't magically give you better grades, but we can try and give you advice! 
We think that you should first tell your parents. You can either 1) tell it to them straight and wait for their reaction. If they get angry, try calmly explaining to them that you have worked very hard. However, you need to prove to them that you have been working hard. If they find you on Facebook or doing other stuff half the time, then that might not help your case. 2) Think of a plan on how you can solve this issue. Your best bet would be to claim responsibility and try not to be defensive. Your parents might be upset that your grades are slipping but at least you're being responsible by being honest and showing your concern. It's great to hear that you really care about your grades. Something else that might help is talking to teachers individually. They can really give you helpful tips on how to improve your grades. If you're a student who usually get good grades, I'm sure they'd be glad to help. We know some teachers might seem intimidating or you don't feel comfortable talking to them, but trust us, it DOES help. Don't be afraid to ask. 
As for college, take a biiiiiig, deeeeep breath. There are many colleges out there who would be happy to have you. Academically, the major thing colleges look for is an upward trend in grades. So, if your grades don't look to good right now, you still have time to improve. If you do, colleges will like that a lot, because they'll see your dedication. However, don't stress so much on academics. Community service is also a HUGE part. Try to involve yourself as much as possible because then you can get scholarships from different schools and colleges like that as well. In addition, some people feel like they HAVE to go to Ivy-League schools like Stanford or Harvard. The truth is you don't. There are so many colleges out there, and most of them have just as good as an education, if not better, because they're not so big. If you have parents that expect you to go to a school like that, tell them you will try as much as you can, but don't kill yourself studying. The important thing is that you try. Do the best you can and I'm sure, wherever you go, you will be completely fine. 
Final word: Don't stress out so much, take classes you can handle (don't feel pressured to take a million AP's), and enjoy high school as much as you can. :) 


Sincerely, 
Priory Peers

Meagan

So no need to go on anon because people will figure out who I am anyways, BUT here it goes.

So I got three tickets to next year's One Direction concert. One for myself, one for Molly and then the third one is the problem.

My parents don't let me go to concerts alone (for I don't know why...they're just really cautious and protective I guess) and so I would need supervision. This other girl though sort of expects me to bring her because we planned to buy these tickets together. (it was nearly impossible to get four tickets...three was my best bet).

In the past though this girl has been manipulative, rude, backstabbing and just overall mean to me, so I don't have any huge want to bring her, but I know if I don't she'll be really pissed off.

So on one hand, when the concert comes around, I'll be 16 years old, and my parents might have loosened up, and I do feel obligated to bring this girl, but on the other hand, if I can't convince my parents to let me go alone, this girl won't be able to come resulting in a problem. What do you think I should do?

Sorry it's so long! Thank you!
Meagan :)


Hey Meagan!! 
Thank you for the honesty about who you are :) 
Okay, so about this girl....she doesn't seem like the bestest of friends. The first thing you should think about is how much the friendship means with this girl. If you say she's been manipulative, rude, and backstabbing then maybe it's not that great of a friendship. The best thing to do would be to take Molly (this is assuming one of your parent comes) and tell this girl the truth. Yeah, you got the tickets with her but if she's treating you badly then you should tell her, but in a nice way. You can say that you would love to take her but tell her why and how she hasn't been such a great friend. 
You want to be with people you care about and people who care about you. You want to enjoy the One Direction concert because it might be something you never forget! And you don't want it to be a bad memory thanks to one person. I'm sure one of your parents will be much better company than someone who treats you badly. You shouldn't feel obligated!
However, if your parents decide to let you go alone, along with Molly, and you have that one extra ticket left, it is up to you to decide if you want to give it to this girl or not. Our suggestion would be not to, because you don't want a special night ruined by someone who hasn't been that great of a friend. Go to the concert, take people you know you'll have fun with, and then later you can deal with the girl and tell her why you didn't take her. She needs to know the truth even if she won't accept it. Hopefully, she will understand. If not, then you know she's not a friend worth having. You still have a couple of months to think about it, but we hope you have an amazing time at the concert! :) 


Yours truly, 
Priory Peers

Anon Girl

I really want a boyfriend not because of the label that travels with it but because of the close relationship I get out of it. Any advice?
Anon girl


Hi anon girl, 
it sounds like you want a (boy) friend first, not a boyfriend. High school is probably the biggest time ever when you feel pressured to be in a relationship with someone but there's no need to rush. The first thing you should do is try to befriend a guy who has similar interests as you or someone who has that charming personality that you enjoy. Once you've done this, a friendship starts to form. If you continue to be a supportive friend and realize you can totally be yourself with this guy, then you never know, maybe your friendship might flourish!
But first, focus on your friendship. Friendship is much more important than a silly high school relationship. The title of being in a relationship with someone can make you feel pressured to do stuff with your guy friend that could probably harm your friendship, and if it's a guy worth having around, then you don't want to ruin the friendship you've worked hard for. We wish you the best with this fellow! :) 


From, 
Priory Peers 

High School Girl

I feel that sometimes I am misunderstood and looked at wierdly for being myself and I don't feel comfortable when I'm in groups talking with friends. I wish people could see the real me but I feel like they haven't given me a chance.
High School Girl




Hey high school girl, 
well you have a few options. You can really try to make yourself stand out and put in a huge effort (physically, emotionally) or you can find a group of friends who accept you for who you are and you don't need to go the extra mile to stand out. There shouldn't be any extra effort to impress them if they're your friends. 
You may want to get to know people one on one first, because that tends to be easier for others to get to know you. You don't have all that pressure if you're with just one person. Eventually, once you've gotten to know each person, and they've gotten to know you, you can feel much more comfortable and you won't have to worry about impressing them or anything. Sometimes people work better one on one. Other people are probably thinking the same thing you are when they're in a group, because we all feel pressured to be something we're not. But that's not the way it should be. 
If the one on one thing doesn't work out, then try to find others who have the same interests in you and form a stronger, better friendship where you can be your complete self. That's when you know it's a true friendship. 
Our final advice is to be yourself. Don't be ashamed of who you are. If they give you weird stares and you continue to feel comfortable, then you know it's a friendship not worth pursuing. We hope this helps! :) 


Sincerely, 
Priory Peers

Anonymous Dormer

Sometimes, I feel as though the Priory community is a little too small, and that I want to meet new people outside of school. However, as a dormer, that is difficult to do because we scarcely have connections outside of school, such as to churches, sports clubs, etc. How would you recommend going about this?

Hmm..maybe try to have a friend who doesn't live in the dorms take you to places where you can meet people with similar interests as you? Or have one of the dorms reps take you to a similar place. Maybe they can organize some fun fair or something where you can meet high school kids from nearby schools?

Expanding on the outside friend, chill out with them and have them invite a few of their outside school friends, so you can meet them. Then, if things go well, you can meet THEIR friends, and so on and so forth, expanding your friend pool. And make sure the friends all have common ground, so you can bond over that.

Really, the takeaway message is try your best to seize all opportunites to get out into the world using what resources you have, like outside friends and dorms reps. 
- Priory Peers

High School Questioner

Do you think high school is neccisary?


Yes, we believe that high school is awesome because it prepares you well for college and beyond, both academically and socially. It is a huge step up in freedom from middle school later on in high school in that you get more freedom in your classes. While high school has its low points, with all of the great opportunities it can offer you, overall, we believe it is great and necessary for a good education and future. The trick is to seize the opportunities offered to you and make an impact in your school.
- Priory Peers

Portola Valley Dude

What activities are there to do in Portola Valley? It can seem like a pretty boring place sometimes.

Living in Portola Valley, Reed totally agrees that it can be boring. However, there are a few things worth noting. If you're into hiking, Windy Hill really is a good workout and is beautiful; Reed's family hikes there with their dogs on occasion. Parkside Grille is a nice place to eat, though it's pretty expensive and Roberts Market is a great place to chill out; they also have great smoothies in our opinion (Oreo fusion! Yum.). Valley Presbyterian Church is also very stunning inside. 
Maggy doesn't live in Portola Valley and when she started going to Priory she thought it was such an isolated little town, and it still is! However, we both agree that Portola Valley has beautiful landscapes and an awesome school. Even though it is a little, quiet town, it still has the essentials you need to have a good time. Because it's a small town, it allows you to bond with your friends, since everything is basically within walking distance, which allows for a tight-knit and cozy community. We hope this helps!! 


From, 
Priory Peers