Read an Excerpt
Tell Me a Story about This Crazy World Called High School
A Survival Guide for Adolescence
By Mrs. D, Tara Balboa iUniverse
Copyright © 2016 Mrs. D.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4917-8891-2
CHAPTER 1
High School: A World unto Itself
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. — Lao Tzu
Initially, Tell Me a Story about This Crazy World Called High School contained a collection of "Dear Me" stories written by adolescents, ages thirteen through eighteen, who were engulfed in the throes of what to them were the most serious crises of the day. (Think back to your adolescent years. Remember those feelings!) Each person sat in the same chair in my office, facing the same wall, crying the same tears, and feeling the same desperation. Each one was searching for hope, love, the meaning of life, or happiness.
As a counselor, I listened empathetically, without judgment. I silently sorted out the array of emotions that were so overpowering. Inevitably, someone would knock on my door at the most crucial moment. I would grab a piece of paper and a pencil and ask the tearful teen to write exactly what was going on in his or her mind. Several of the writings that follow were written during times of crisis. An asterisk at the beginning of a writing piece denotes that it was written with tears. The passages portray students' innermost thoughts and feelings buried deep within. Names have been changed, but the heartfelt words remain intact.
As time went on, hundreds of adolescents continued to sit in that same chair, facing that same wall, but something was different. There were no tears. There was no crisis (at the moment). There was no pain (at the moment). They were happy and smiling (at the moment), yet I heard them speak of the same struggles. They were searching for love, the meaning of life, or happiness.
They were living in this crazy world called adolescence. How were they surviving? What were they thinking and feeling? What were their coping skills? I asked them if they would share their stories. Within a day, a week, or a month, I graciously received their personal writings: essays, poetry, and journals. These writings were done in the comfort of their own homes — peacefully and quietly. They contained their innermost thoughts and feelings.
I am forever grateful to all those who have chosen to write. Your words may just be what another teen needs to hear.
Freshman Year Lend Me a Hand
Tell Me Your Story
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*Freshman Girl Feeling Upset
This beautiful young girl came crying to my office. She wanted to stay strong. A boy's words were trying to destroy her, but would they?
Dear Me,
I am really hurt by this boy. I feel like a girl who has no friends to protect her. I feel upset because someone is letting me down when I'm feeling good about myself. I just want a friend by my side. This person is not nice. I ask him nicely to stop, but he keeps going on about how I am using people.
I feel really mad, and I just can't let anyone else ruin my life because he doesn't have a life. I am a nice, sensitive, beautiful, and smart girl. I just want people to feel the way I do. He's telling me that I'm not good at baseball. He's telling me I'm ugly and fat. He says that I can't get a boyfriend 'cause I'm so retarded. He says that I use people and that I have no friends and no life at all. He sticks his middle finger up at me. He says there is nothing wrong with me and that I am not hurt. He asks me for answers for his work like everything is okay.
Tell Me Your Story
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*Freshman Girl Feeling Upset
In the midst of tears, this very emotional young girl shared three poems she had written the night before. Please find her other writings titled What I Wish to Be to You and The One.
Misunderstood
When I say that I am fine,
Am I really truly fine?
When I smile, does it mean
I'm okay to you?
When I turn away from help,
Does it mean I need you more than ever?
When my eyes tear up,
Does it mean I'm lost?
When I look at you,
Can you tell I'm not fine?
When I hold on tightly to your hands
I wonder if you know that I need a friend.
Tell Me Your Story
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Fresh man Boy Feeling Emotional
A very insightful young boy shared an extremely emotional poem written in English class. He was asked to reflect on this very disturbing topic. He is not a victim of abuse. If you are a victim, tell someone who will listen. Get help now!
No Excuse
You hear me crying throughout the night.
The more you hit me, the more I'm in fright.
You hit me so hard I have bruises everywhere.
That goes to show how much you really care.
You say you love me, but I don't believe.
Why in the world would you conceive?
You can see the tears rolling down my face.
Why, oh why, did you bring me into this horrible place?
My greatest fear is that someday I'll be
Just like the person who has done this to me.
The pain you inflict gets worse and worse.
Pretty soon you'll be watching me get put into a hearse.
Sooner or later, I'll be dead.
I wonder if it's tears that you will shed.
Please stop the child abuse!
There is absolutely no excuse!
Tell Me Your Story
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*Freshman Girl Feeling Alone
What makes this beautiful brown-eyed girl so strong?
Something I'm Not
I never try to be something I'm not,
Even though many people don't like me a lot.
And I know many people think I'm real tough,
But sometimes life — it just gets so rough.
Constantly getting judged for the things I do.
Every day, there are so many things that I have to go through.
And sometimes I can't help but break down and cry,
With no one there to wipe the tear that falls from my eye.
But over the years, I've learned to be strong,
To try to be optimistic when things go wrong.
I realize I'm only human.
I can make mistakes too.
I'll continue to succeed in life.
Make myself proud —
That's what I'll proceed to do.
Tell Me Your Story
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Freshman Girl Feeling Outspoken
Will this very sensitive and king young girl allow anyone to know who she really is?
What I Wish to Be to You
Don't need tears —
Can be better off without them.
But can be as hard as a rock
Where I stand.
Soft to the touch,
Gentle enough to smile,
Proud enough to stand up
And shout out my beliefs.
Caring enough to listen,
Strong enough to hold your hand
When you feel like crawling.
All the above is what I wish to be to you.
Not a prodigy or famous,
Just your normal schoolgirl speaking her mind
Because she knows what's right.
Time after time,
She asks that famous question:
Why?
And she sits and replies to herself,
"The world shall never know."
Tell Me Your Story
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Freshman Boy Feeling Hopeful
Can he be the one to change the world?
I Believe
I believe that one day
we will put down our hatred.
I believe that one day the evil that roams
around this earth will vanish for good.
I believe that one day people will put their guns downs
and unite as one.
I believe that one day kids will be able to
walk the streets without fear.
I believe that one day we will all change
for a better tomorrow.
I believe that one day we will all love and
heal one another.
I believe that Obama is a big step that we need
to change.
I believe that the years coming are going to
get easier.
I believe that one day men will learn to love
our women before we regret it.
I believe that we should never take life for granted;
as quick as it comes, it vanishes quicker.
I believe that we can achieve anything
we put our minds to.
I believe that one day the KKK will put down
their burning crosses and love thy brother.
I believe that we can change.
I believe that I can be the spark that
can change the world.
Tell Me Your Story
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Freshman Boy Feeling Compassionate
The good old days helped this caring fourteen-year-old boy survive being bullied during elementary school. (Maybe that is why he wrote the previous poem about being the spark to change the world!)
The Good Old Days
Playing with cars as a little kid,
Watching cartoons like Blue's Clues,
Never getting into any trouble,
Buying toys from Toys R Us,
Playing cards with my grandma,
Enjoying summers with my nephews,
Listening to hip-hop for the first time,
Kindergarten kids and trips,
Riding my scooter to the Hudson River,
Visiting the Empire State Building,
Being in the city,
Playing baseball on the sidewalk,
Trips to Burger King and others every day,
Playing on the basketball courts by the pier,
Going to the playgrounds around town,
People all over the streets on the Fourth of July,
Watching fireworks from my rooftop,
House shaking every time trucks pass by,
The afternoon traffic on weekdays,
Playing on the school playground,
And watching the world go by —
The days when life was easy.
Yeah, those were the good old days.
Tell Me Your Story
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Freshman Boy Feeling Positive
We can all learn a lesson from this exceptional young boy's outlook on life!
Dear Me,
Being a freshman — not an easy task, most will say. But think about that for a moment. What does that "most" consist of? Adults — moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers, and sisters — the list goes on and on. The point I'm trying to make is that these people haven't a clue. Okay, maybe that's a little cruel. I just mean they don't have a clue about freshmen. "Watch out for those seniors!" "You're going to get lost!" "You're going to be scared!" These are phrases commonly heard. But put everyone else aside and listen here now. Listen to a true freshman.
Well, let me tell you a little about myself. I'm ____, fifteen years old, who's starting fresh at ____ High School. I'm not a fictional character, I'm not famous, and I'm not invincible. I'm a normal, average freshman just like you. Starting a new school is never easy, but it can be easy if you make it. You'll probably run into bullies, mean teachers, hard tests, and homework you don't like, but just remember that it's not the end of the world. It'll be okay.
My motto is to always have a positive attitude. What's your hobby ... sports, art, literature, etc.? Think about that throughout your day. Thinking about playing football or reading a book after school can keep your mood up throughout the day. Keep a list of favorites, like foods or movies or games. They can help your day too. Making friends is also a good idea. There's nothing better than sharing a joke and laughing with someone you can relate with.
Now, you're probably saying, "Well, I've got friends, and I try to keep a good mood, but I have much more serious problems that I deal with." Fine. I truly have only one word for these problems: talk. Talk to your guidance counselor, your parents, your relatives, your friends. Be the chatterbox that's lurking inside of you. And trust me — talking always works. Bully bothering you? Talk to him or her or someone who can prevent them from pestering you. Teacher being mean and giving hard work? Talk to a parent or a guidance counselor. Maybe they can switch you out of that class. Homework piercing your brain? Talk to a friend. They may be able to help you. Remember you'll have plenty of other things to be concerned with in the future. Don't blow your years throughout high school. Don't wreck your childhood. Don't learn to cope with fear. In the words of Doc Brown, "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."
I'm no miracle worker. I'm no god. I'm not a problem solver. I'm a sharer, a person who shares his thoughts to help others, a person who has dreams like everyone else, and a person who aspires to be in the movie industry. Going to high school makes it that much easier to make your dreams come true.
Me
Tell Me Your Story
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Sophomore Year Hold on Tight
Tell Me Your Story
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*Sophomore Boy Feeling Angry
Does he really hate people? What makes him so angry? Only those he allows into his world truly know him. He is a very intelligent, kind, funny, and talented young boy who will succeed in life. Dear Me,
Who am I? I'm a person, a regular person with different thoughts than anyone else. My musical choice is strange. So, I'm ridiculed for that. I watch anime. I play video games. I watch sports. I eat, sleep, and go to school. I hate people. I hate whatever ticks me off in any way. I'd rather be with my games and videos. My friends come from all over America. They aren't so bad. I miss the old days. I guess I'm just me: someone who thinks and feels differently than all the mindless fools who parade around like they're big.
Tell Me Your Story
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Sophomore Girl Feeling Confused
She decided to break up with her boyfriend of two years the previous day. She needed a break. The following is a note that she left on my desk.
Mrs. D.
Yesterday I called Bobby and we just talked about everything that happened. I know by my gut feeling that I couldn't last without being with him because I do care about him so much. I just need to hang out with other people, I guess, to find myself and see what I want and need. I talked to Joe and told him I'm going back with Bobby, and he was so upset. He couldn't understand why, so I explained really good. The conclusion is that we could still hang out. I will wait for him if he gets into trouble after school ... 'cause I'm going to live up to what we call each other: best friends. I think that's best. So what do you think? I'll talk to you later. Have a great day.
Love, Me
Tell Me Your Story
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(Continues...)
Excerpted from Tell Me a Story about This Crazy World Called High School by Mrs. D, Tara Balboa. Copyright © 2016 Mrs. D.. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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