As a teen, it’s not uncommon to hear these phrases: “It’s only for three years,” or “Look at the bigger picture,” and “None of that will matter after high school.”
These words are usually used in the context of a teenager struggling with issues in school or feeling stressed out or uncomfortable in their situation. Although it’s meant to give us hope for the future and our independence, it feels more like our issues are being dismissed.
We all tend to put the past behind so we may focus on brighter days, but we also need to remember and look back on our own experiences to be able to guide future generations to come. As youth, we depend on our parents, teachers and family members to guide us down the right path, but when we’re told to look at the bigger picture in our time of uncertainty or need, we can feel let down. To us, there really isn’t much of a “big picture.”
High school is our reality. We live through it every day and it is hard. It’s no wonder that students feel isolated, anxious or depressed; some are merely not getting the support that is vital to them.
Our struggles are all we know; we haven’t lived long enough to feel the full-fledged pressures of adulthood, or relish in our complete independence and privilege to be able to do whatever we please.
The drama at school or the stresses of academics is what matters to us. Our hormones may be raging and we may constantly be teetering in our awkward state, but that does not mean our strains can be brushed off as just a product of puberty and not to be worried about.
And although the age gap can make it difficult to understand, it’s important that we acknowledge and make an effort to help the youth of this generation with their struggles rather than dismiss them.
Macy How is a grade 11 student at Brooks Secondary School.
