• How hard it is and everyone judges you.
  • All the stress and the “what ifs” in my head. Then worrying about those “what ifs” and imagine them happening.
  • All the responsilibity that comes with it.
  • Maintaining friendships when everyone is changing and growing.
  • Constant self-doubt and worries about the future.
  • Nobody understands/listens to what you are going through/feeling.
  • Balancing life – school, friends, family, sports, music, performances, sleep, eating, exercise – especially being an anxious and lazy and procrastinating person.
  • Society.
  • The pressure to always look perfect and do well in school and know what you want to do with your life.
  • The constant feeling you are never good enough. No matter how hard you try, there is always someone out there to put you down.
  • Realizing that everyone has their own problems and for the most poart you seem to have to help yourself.
  • Either being treated like a child and given no responsiblities, or like and adult and given too many! Where is the middle ground?
  • Having to live up to the standards of society – it’s flippin’ impossible to just be yourself.
  • No one understands.
  • Being judged, high school, having a job on top of that, fitting in, maintatining relationships.
  • Not being the same as other and breaking the mould.
  • Their willingness to be themselves, ask questions and be respectful and tolerant.
  • Being able to live everyday how you like, even though you’re being made fun of. The ability not to care.
  • They go through similar things and they can talk and try to understand.
  • Funny, kind, nice, giving, energetic.
  • How they can hold themselves together for the most part. Not always, but they “pretend” to be happy and hold a straight face. It’s not always a good thing, but being a teen is tough stuff!
  • They aren’t closed minded/judemental or mean people. All they really want in a friend is someone who’s a generally nice peson, and I don’t feel worried/stressed around them.
  • To me, they seem like they have it all together and they seem to know who they aren and I wish I knew how they do it.
  • I admire how well they keep themselves togther during difficult times for them.
  • Not a lot.
  • Being kind to everyone.
  • Honesty. They are strong.
  • Their strength – ability to keep working through what they are dealing with.
  • How successful they are.
  • How strong some people are after they went through a lot.
  • It wouldn’t help me at all.
  • Trying to get all my thoughts into works and explain what I think and that I OVER think everything and make it into something that would never happen.
  • That I would be judged, be called weak for seeking help.
  • Being doubted and not having my problems taken seriously because of my young age.
  • Friends/Family finding out, not being able to find words for what I was feeling, worrying my parents.
  • Therapist judging me.
  • Not being understood. Putting energy into recovery.
  • That my friends will judge me.
  • People would judge for being “weak” or sad.
  • My biggest fear was coming to terms with my depression. I thought that once I got help, my problems became serious, they became real.
  • That people would find out and I’d be judged. That it wouldn’t work. That my parents would be more stressed out.
  • I didn’t really have a worry about seeking mental health services. I was focused on getting better.
  • Being judged by others, and being put in a group due to sterotypes.
  • To find out I have a mental illness that I have to live with and have to get on medication that might change me.
  • What my mom would think. What it would be like telling someone how I feel.
  • To not accept myself for what I had and to feel judged by others.
  • Don’t live to please other people, live to please yourself.
  • Talk to someone you know who will listen and care about what you have to say and what your thoughts, worries and stresses are.
  • Do it, it helps so much it really brings the real you out.
  • There’s nothing you can do to top the worry – the risk will always be there, but the help you can receive will outweigh the stuff of the build up, you just have to believe that.
  • You are not alone. Get the help you need.
  • Most of the things you say and do won’t matter in 5 years. They DO NOT define you. You have control. You are not forced to do anything unless somone’s life is in danger.
  • Once you start going it gets easier.
  • To go ahead and find help because it really helps.
  • I know how hard it can be, with all the stress that’s going on, and how easy it can seem to give up but believe me it can get better if you are willing to try.
  • It isn’t like it could really make anything worse.
  • Just do it! It’s worth it!
  • Seek help! I went to my doctor instead of telling my mom first, because I was afraid. I’m glad I told someone. I wouldn’t be here today without the help I’ve gotten.
  • Get it before it’s too late.
  • Reach out, don’t be afraid of what they think and get the help you need because it really helps in the long run.
  • Don’t be afraid – our fear is what stops us for reaching our potential in everything. Once you accept and love yourself , others will follow as well.
  • Pretty much the same worries I believe are still there. But today you have more peer pressure – ex. Facebook.
  • Populatrity, having the latest technology.
  • Missing out on the latest school new/events happening.
  • Drugs, alcohol, being accepted, keeping up with trends, being bullied, pressure from friends.
  • Physical appreance and acceptance from their peers.
  • Social – gaining and keeping friends. Academic – pleasing teachers and parents
  • Knowing where to go/who to be after high school.
  • Identify (in relation to self, society, peers).
  • Family dynamics, peer pressure, sex/drugs, financial, teen pregnancy.
  • Social acceptance, peer pressure (drinking, drugs, defying adults -teachers), comparing themselves to their peers (clothes, money, popularity, etc.).
  • Not being liked/smart.
  • Their happiness/care-freeness/ability to live in the moment.
  • Thinking outside the box. Social awareness (ie non-discrimatory attitude, acceptance of minority groups).
  • Those who rise about the elements, face their fears, break the negative cycle. Those to take an activist role.
  • Strength, courage, individuality, perserverence, creativity, ability, self-awareness.
  • They’re generally good at coping with others expectations.
  • How they can be honest at all times.
  • Their maturity and technology abilites.
  • Not afraid to be themselves.
  • I admire most about my teen is that she is a smart and talented individual. She is not a follower. She is accepting and loving. She is a good friend.
  • Find a goal and work towards it.
  • Don’t give up/seek help from those you trust.
  • Never give up, time helps us through the toughest struggles, believe in yourself.
  • Friends and family will always be there to help you in time of need.
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There’s more to be learned from failures than success.
  • I know it seems like the end of the world right now. It isn’t. You will get through it !
  • Talk to someone. Realize you are not alone. Things are probably not as bad as you think.
  • Focus on your goal and break it down into small, achievable steps.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff.
  • Talk! You are never alone. Open up about things that are bothering you. Growing up is hard and you may feel alone, but always know that I’m here for you and I will always love you!
  • Fitting in. Everyone liking me. Making the “team” Having good marks. Being Pretty. Having the right clothes to wear.
  • Making sports teams. Fitting in with the “norm”.
  • If I would make the basketball team.
  • My biggest worry was getting through school.
  • Social – gaining and keeping friends. Academic – pleasing teachers and parents.
  • Not knowing where I wanted to go/who I wanted to be/who I was going to be.
  • Failing (school, life, my family).
  • Not getting good enough grades/requirements for university of my choice.
  • Disappointing everyone (family, friends, teachers).
  • Opinions of my peers.
  • Losing my friends.
  • Peers, peer pressure, bullying, acceptance/fitting in.
  • Facing the wrath of teachers if I was not prepared with homework or getting a low grade.
  • Not being able to live up to the expectations of my parents.
  • Keeping up academically with top students.
  • Not being liked.
  • Social – gaining and keeping friends. Academic – pleasing teachers and parents.
  • Knowing where to go/who to be after high school.
  • Identify (in relation to self, society, peers).
  • Family dymanics, peer pressure, sex/drugs, financial, teen pregnancy.
  • Social acceptance, peer pressure (drinking, drugs, defying adults -teachers), comparing themselevs to their peers (clothes, money, popularity, etc).
  • Not being liked/smart.
  • Marks/I don’t remember much anxiety (1975-1977).
  • Peer group – friends.
  • Whether other students would like me or notice me.
  • Good grades, pleasing others (parents and teachers).
  • Social pressures, relationships.
  • Keeping up apperances and time management in an academic program.
  • Being singled out.
  • Taking care of the horse before I got ready for school.
  • Fitting in, being liked by peers, what to do when I finished school.
  • Maintaining a very high academic average (only because I put my pressure on myself).
  • Staying involved/doing well in school. Maintaining high marks.
  • My biggest worries as a teen were being accepted and liked.
  • Something happeing to my parents/family members.
  • Not doing well academcially.
  • Keeping marks high to meet my parents standards.
  • Boyfriend, exceeding at school, wanting to excel, family alcoholism.
  • Marks for univsersity, fitting in with peers/moving schools – new friends.
  • What career choice to make.
  • School. I used to be my parents to let me stay home! I had many difficulties in trying to relax in school and learn. I was your school refusal student. I worried about everything, especially school.
  • Being able to please everyone in all my activities (sports, music, school, friends, etc). Achieving academic success. Not missing out on anything. Never going to find a boyfriend or have someone to want to be with me.
  • Failure. Making parents proud.
  • Getting caught doing things. Family situations.
  • Friends, appearance, dating, marks, future.
  • What I was going to do when high school ended. Who to hang around with.
  • Do my friends like me enough to include me in their plans?
  • My apperance and acceptance. I wanted to be liked.
  • About friends.
  • My biggest worry was receiving good grades. I struggled with math and I had to work hard to get good grades.
  • My biggest worry was “What am I going to do after high school?”. I also worried about being seperated from my friends.
  • Keeping average about 90%. Global conflict/nuclear war threat. Eventually finding a job.
  • Marks. What to do when finished.
  • There were several – many (my family was not well-off), grades (I was an A student but Dad always wanted more), self-image/weight (low self-esteem), and home life (alcoholism at home).
  • Balancing home chores and demands with school and friends. Being able to “live up to” my friends and family expectations. Money for post-secondary.
  • Being accepted/make friends. Dealing with being bullied because of being over weight. Worried about being alone…hated….made fun of…feeling useless/worthless.
  • Weight. Popularity. Friends.
  • Being one of the cool kids!
  • Walking over a bridge near our school where the other students hung out. Fear of getting bullied, as some of my friends were bullied by the same crowd in same spot. Doing well in school and being on a being a ‘prep’.
  • That no one would love me. I wouldn’t find a spouse. People judge me as slutty because I had big boobs. Always tried to hide them.
  • Personal phsycial apperance, Family financial situation, shyness, friendships, fitting in.
  • Fitting in. Making friends. Fear.
  • Can’t remember back that far! Probably overcoming lack of confidence (shyness). Tiredness – difficulties attending and doing well in school due to this.
  • Social Pressure dominiates, academic students worry more about their marks, family break-up.
  • Fitting in, belonging, friends.
  • What people are saying about them in all the places they are found today.
  • Social acceptance/perception, performance.
  • Many of the same that have always existed but now are amplified for a variety of reasons.
  • Keeping up appearances.
  • Being different, not belonging.
  • Pressure to meet the expectations of the world around them.
  • Fitting in, juggling the demands of the different aspects of their life (work, social, school, home).
  • Feeling accepted, fear of consequences of social media.
  • “Fitting in”, being part of the group. Dealing with social media issues, achievement/future plans.
  • Peer pressure, sexuality/gender issues.
  • Anxiety/bullying, peer pressure.
  • Being liked, presenting in front of others, falling behind.
  • Friends, school grades, when work piles up, relationships, peer pressure, mental health.
  • They don’t have any accountablility – not that they are worried about it – but they should be.
  • Peer pressure to become invovled in drugs, drinking, partying, sexual activity, missing school, sexting, fitting in, having the “right” clothes, having money, having a car, family issues.
  • Image, fitting in – popularity.
  • Trying to fit in and be included.
  • Fitting and having friends. I think it depends on the child/teenager. I know that some students are sick with worry over their grades and doing well. Getting on the honor roll.
  • academic successs and knowing what they are supposed to do with the rest of their lives; sexual pressure; being perfect; physically, emotionally. Afraid to show weakness/ask for help.
  • Appearance. Acceptance.
  • Social acceptance.
  • Social media interaction.
  • Friends, future (job or education), social Life.
  • Peer Pressure.
  • Fitting in with peers.
  • Bullying. Personal safety.
  • Friends/relationships.
  • Social media (texting, facebook, twitter).
  • Losing their “support team” (Parents/teachers/friends). Career choices. Going back for a fourth year. Being separated from their friends. Fear of not being liked or not “fitting in” with a group (ie. Acceptance (lack of). Academic achievement/failure.
  • Most – still academic, financial, but greater awareness and sensitivity to other areas. Social expectations, peer pressure.
  • My biggest worry was whether my sports commitments were going to interfere with my social life! (really no worries).
  • Being accepted, peer pressure (drinking and drugs), success in all they do, being over-scheduled (too many activities/groups).
  • Acceptance, bullying, money, school, self-image, stress, peer pressure (Drugs, alcohol, etc).
  • Friends and how they are thought of by them. What is happening on facebook/social media – having to be connected all the time. Family stability.
  • Leaving friends/support group. Being accepted. Bullying.
  • Appearance. Sex. Popularity/friends.
  • To achieve perfections. Keep up with friends/school/possessions, etc. What I look like/physical appearances.
  • Standing out/singled out from their peers. Not having a group which they belong.
  • If you make a mistake everyone knows and no one forgets. No one will love the ‘real’ me.
  • Personal phsycial apperance, Family financial situation, shyness, friendships, fitting in.
  • Same worries but amplified with technology because they can’t sit with emotions.
  • Peer pressures – drugs – alcohol – bullying – social media. Broken families/blended families.
  • They are smart, they look ahead, there is a lot of confidence.
  • Resiliance, adaptability, fits most of them – not all.
  • That they are aware or sensitive to friends.
  • resiliance.
  • Eagerness to learn, varied interests, skills.
  • They appear to learn faster.
  • Their resiliency.
  • How some of them juggle all the things they are involved in.
  • They have to cope with the most demands on their time. They are far more inondated with information, access to more difficutl and potentially harmful issues/substances.
  • The ability to balance their “treadmills of life”. So many still manage this very well. I also admire those who aren coping but are willing to seek help.
  • Their honesty about issues. Their dedication/hardwork for causes they believe in.
  • How hard it is to fit in and belong and keeping up with all the school work.
  • How open they are with their opinions, fears, feelings.
  • Willingness to help each other.
  • Clever, funny, want to do well.
  • They are great advocates. Aware of the world around them. Accepting of the diversities/differences in others.
  • They are kind and will rise to the challenge when it is there. I believe any student can rise to the situation they have the ability. They may hate the classroom – give them the chance to show a new student where the room are in the school and they will do amazing. In short, I believe teens are all brillilant – they just need to find out in what way. I admire the brillance in every student.
  • I admire their creativity and while I’m a teach and I share knowledge, I find most often my “kids” teach me too! I also admire the fact they can make me smile and how they can survies in a world which demands so much of them.
  • Perceptive and strong opinions and points of view that are valuable. Ability to manager time, free time, friends, family, school, extra curricular. Willingness to try new things.
  • They are passionate about learning.
  • Resiliance and overal respect and demenor.
  • Socially aware. Desire to achieve.
  • Their ability to persevere despite the many challenge they face. Also the self-confidence that many of this generation seem to have.
  • Their desire to help others – to do the right thing.
  • Lack of fear surrounding technology.
  • Resilience. Willingness to open up.
  • They often talk to teachers about their issues.
  • The ability to “bounce back” from setbacks.
  • So many have the ability to “Juggle” so many activities and expectations. Much more (greater) ability to process informations (access to technology, information may be main cause).
  • Kind, caring, want to get better, want to do well.
  • Ability to work through the many issues they face.
  • Many of the students I teach are level-headed hard-workers. Being a teen in todays world? – Glad it wasn’t me!
  • Their ability to roll up their sleeves and help others. Their generosity. Their passion for doing. Their energy, joy.
  • Helpful, supportive, caring and kind to peers and adults around them.
  • I enjoy watching them grow and learn. I admire their energy and excitement.
  • Honesty, compassions, street smarts/sometimes, eagerness to learn.
  • They way they question and are curious about everything. Honesty.
  • They accept people for their differences, at least the ones that are obvious, like race, religion, sexuality.
  • They are juggling so much these days. School is only small part of their day/week (extra-curriculars, pressure to be the best in those activities). They are bombarded by the medical with false images of beauty and still manage to maintain some level of confidence.
  • Individuality (positive).
  • They are aware of themselves and can express it. They have talents that are untapped. They have zest for life.
  • Having confidence.
  • It can and will get better.
  • React (respond) to what is in your control – ignore that which isn’t.
  • Do your best and take and be responsible for what you do.
  • Stick together, make good friends and don’t take the stress from theirs.
  • Learn to keep “small things small”, avoid the “dramas” that amplify relatively small issues.
  • Breath in AND out.
  • Rely on those who love you and believe that this will pass.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Seek support from one of the adults you trust in your life. You are not the first person to deal with this and you won’t be the last.
  • Focus on building “emotional muscle” and helping them with the baby steps.
  • There is help there for you and people who care about you. Never feel you are alone even when it gets really difficult or challenging. Come and talk to someone don’t carry it all yourself.
  • Bear with it, it will get better, practice strategies.
  • This to shall pass.
  • Others are going through what you’re going through. Stick with it. Things will get better.
  • Struggling is normal and a part of life, but there is lots of support out there for you.
  • Talk to an adult you trust – they care.
  • To picture what they want in life and list the steps in getting there. Find a solution to their greater fear, then other fears/struggles will not seem as intesne if they know they can face their greatest fear/struggle.
  • Being a teen is temporary. This will pass and you can get better. There is help with this. I can help you or point you in the direction of help if I do not have the knowledge to. And remember, nothing is every as good OR as bad as it seems. My door is always open if you want to have a chat.
  • Nothing is as bad as it seems. You’re ok, just relax, breath and believe when things go wrong you can fix the things you are in control of. If it is out of your control, just breath and let it go.
  • Ask questions, talk to someone you are comfortable with. Teachers were teenagers once….and we – or no one else- are perfect.
  • That there are bumps in the road, your WHOLE life – how you deal with them – only m ake you an overall round individual.
  • Speak to an adult you trust.
  • To talk out their problems and seek help if needed.
  • Talk to somone.
  • Learing coping skills. “Disappointments” are normal in life. How you deal with them is what matters.
  • Ask for help from people you trust.
  • Focus on the positive. It will get better. What is the likelihood of the worst-case scenarios happening? You are alive!
  • That everything passes. Tomorrow is another day. This time next week, it’s just a memory.
  • Talk to parents. Get medical help if needed.
  • Set attainable/manageable goals. Develop organizations skills. Develop coping skills.
  • Do what you can to get through school. Life gets better. School will be a memory (good or bad). Associate yourself with people with a good attitude and set goals.
  • That it gets better!
  • Whatever the issues, it’s not the end of the world. Talk to someone you trust and get the help you need. Try to remain positive. Things will get better if you put in the work.
  • You have had more success in your 11-13 year than you have had sturggles. You are almost done! You can do it!
  • Focus on all the good things in your life, not bad things. Joine a group doing something you enjoy, you’ll probably meet new friends with which you can enjoy the things you like to do. Take time for yourself and do things that you enjoy and make you feel good.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff. Live in the moment and enjoy!
  • Just try your best. Be yourself.
  • Remember your talents and learn how to relax. It’s okay to make a mistake.
  • Forgive. Start with yourself. Judge no one, including yourself!
  • Depends on the kid….
  • Do what makes you happy. People will follow.
  • You don’t have to do it alone – ask for help. I believe in you!! You are worth it!!
  • Speak to someone – get help.