High school can be difficult for all teens, but Christian teens may find it particularly challenging due to the temptations, atmosphere, and feelings. Teenagers often have extreme emotions as they transition from a child to an adult and learn who they are. The atmosphere of teen culture is often intense and challenging. Teenagers can be incredibly mean to each other, leading to depression, low self-esteem, and mental health issues. Additionally, there are a lot of temptations presented to teenagers that they may not have had when they were younger.
Here are a few tips to help Christian teens survive high school.
1. Change schools.
Being a Christian student in a public high school can be incredibly challenging and lonely. Talking to your parents about going to a Catholic high school where more focus is on religious studies, Jesus Christ, student engagement, and fellow human beings may be the best solution. Some schools focus on specific areas, so you can choose a school based on what you want to do as an adult. You can choose a Catholic high school for young men or only for young women if you don’t want that distraction while learning. Private schools can often offer courses and resources not available in their public counterparts, allowing you to have new and exciting experiences while still in school. Private schools typically have uniforms, eliminating the stress and distraction of trying to choose outfits each day. There are a lot of benefits to going to a private school that goes beyond the academic standards.
2. Focus on your goals.
Whatever your goals are after high school, you need to focus on those to ensure you start your adult life after graduation. If your plan includes going to college, now is the time to research and apply for high school scholarships. Academic excellence is essential when getting into a competitive college and getting scholarships to pay for college, so focusing on those goals and doing the work is critical to your future. Scholarship committees often consider extracurriculars and community service, so it is essential to focus on becoming a well-rounded student. Focusing on academic and future goals will keep you busy and make it easier to ignore the temptations and negative school culture.
3. Find your group.
High school is full of groups that stick together. While it is one of the things high schools have always been criticized for, teens create safety nets for themselves. Finding a small group of people with whom you have things in common allows you to be a part of something. It gives you protection from being at the mercy of the entire student body. Most groups are formed around academic achievement, extracurricular activities, athletic events, or specific interests. While teenagers are often criticized for this behavior, it doesn’t change in adulthood. Adults surround themselves with people they identify with and feel connected, safe, and a part of a community with. As a teenager, feeling connected and safe is critical, as many teens struggle with mental health issues as a result of their interactions with their peers.
Being a teen is hard enough, but being a Christian teen can be brutal, as you won’t share the values of many people around you. Others your age will participate in activities and events that you may not feel comfortable with. It is important to learn that you should not compromise your values to make friends and survive school. You can focus on your goals, find other Christian teens to be friends with, and stay close to your church community. Church youth groups offer an excellent opportunity to find friends.