I am starting sixth form tomorrow and I've already began to feel really anxious about everything. Because I am one of the youngest in my class, I feel as if I shouldn't be in sixth form yet. I feel like my 'friends' all hate me and will eventually leave me and go and find new friends. There are forty new people joining tomorrow and i don't know how I'm going to cope because of my social anxiety.
I want to get away from here. I feel like I should run away frome everything.
What do I do?
Sam
Hi there,
It can feel scary starting a new school and joining a big group of new people. We might spend a lot of time imagining how they might see us and what theyre going to think. But its important to remember that they probably worry just as much about what youll think of them.
Its natural to want other people to like us and to feel anxious or nervous when thinking about how they might react to us. These nerves can often come from a fear that they might reject us, but this happens to everyone from time to time. Learning how to cope with these nerves can give you the confidence you need to put them to one side.
Everyones different and we all have people we get on with better than others and thats okay. In the group of forty new people its almost certain that for some of them, you are exactly the person they want to be around. The difficult part is being confident enough to talk to them. We've got tips on building confidence and self-esteem to help you.
When we feel bad about ourselves like the way you feel you are too young to be there it can have a big impact on how we act around others. That can sometimes stop people seeing the real you and the possibilities of making friends. It doesnt say anything about who you are, only that its harder for someone else to see it.
Understanding that everyone else is probably having the same nerves and worries you are can help to break down some of those barriers. If youre the one thats able to take a deep breath and start a conversation, therell be plenty of people who will be grateful for this and will talk back.
Getting the confidence to start that conversation comes from feeling good about who you are along with knowing that sometimes well get rejected, that it happens to everyone and that its okay because theres plenty of people who wont. The social anxiety you have is going to make this a challenge for you but when you overcome it, this will be an even bigger boost to your confidence. Check out our message board thread about celebrating the small and big things about yourself.
I hope this helps. I know its easier said than done, but if you need some help and support you can look on our message boards or talk to a counsellor.
Take care, Sam
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