When I’m at school I feel?

  • Usually I’m not entertained for the most part, but some little things are fun and worthwhile.
  • Happy to see my friends. Tired.
  • At school I feel pressured, but confident.
  • Mostly bored because I’m fed up with high school. Can’t wait to fly the coop.
  • I feel tired and stressed. I’m trying to maintain my already super high GPA.
  • Generally happy, but sometimes I feel stressed and overwhelmed. I am usually happy though because I get to spend time my friends who make me laugh and feel good.
  • I feel anxious but tired at the same time. I always try to finish my homework in school, so I have time for other things after school.
  • I feel busy and stressed – I’m trying to make sure I got to and understand everything I did in a day.

When I’m at home I feel?

  • I tend to get less done than I would at school, but I enjoy it, nonetheless.
  • Still pretty stressed.
  • At home I feel relaxed and productive.
  • Just vibin’ I suppose. Just doing my own thing or chilling with my family.
  • I also feel stressed as I’m always studying more than I need to for tests – over-studying in order to maintain my GPA. On the weekends though, I feel drained.
  • I feel relaxed and happy because I have a supportive family who I love spending time with and who I can always go to.
  • At home I feel stressed about school.
  • Stressed with schoolwork, but then I’m relaxed when I have time to myself and can do anything I want.
  • I feel calms because I can relax and take my mind off of school and drama.
  • I feel mostly relaxed, but I always have a little bit of anxiety in the back of my head.

When I’m with my friends I feel?

  • It’s fun because we’re actually doing interesting things.
  • Like I’m able to forget about the stress and relax.
  • When I’m with my friends I feel at ease.
  • Chillin’. Me and the boys always have a good time.
  • I feel happy, but also feel a little bit alone.
  • Really happy and thankful to have such great friends who care about me and distract me from stress.
  • I have the most fun when I’m with my friends because they’re fun to be around and when I’m with them I don’t have to worry about school.
  • Happy because I always have fun with them, and I am not busy working on something or trying to finish something.
  • I feel like I can relax and chill, but I always have a little bit of stress that won’t go away.

Why do you think teens start to vape?

  • I’m pretty sure that the majority began because they thought it was cool. But maybe some people are struggling, and they don’t know how to cope with their stress.
  • They’re bored and may think it will be fun, think it’s cool, and get pressured into it.
  • Teens start to vape because of stress and peer pressure.
  • Because they were told how “epic” it is and they want to fit in with the other “epic” kids.
  • Because they want to be cool in any way they can.
  • Because of the peer pressure OR because they think it’s “cool”.
  • To distract them from the stress and pressure OR because they might think it is “cool” because their friends are doing it.
  • I think teens start to vape because they want to get away from their stress, life and responsibilities.

What do you think Schools and Parents should do about Vapes?

  • They should start being more aggressive and pressing – especially when there is an issue with a student.
  • Inform students at a young age of all of the risks of vaping and offer help to those that are already vaping rather than just punishment.
  • Schools and parents should listen to students concerns and engage in meaningful conversations with students.
  • Keep sharing stories and encouraging their kids to stay strong and participate in things that make them happy.
  • Because they see others doing it and believe it’s “cool”, so they try it. When they’ve tried it, they are satisfied so they continue to do it.
  • Keep trying their hardest to get kids to stop.
  • Schools and Parents should be strict not vaping because it’s killing so many people. But at the same time, kids probably aren’t going to stop… so I don’t know if anyone can stop this.
  • I think Schools should have more program to quit vaping and Parents should be much more aware and talk with their kids about it.
  • Keep encouraging them not to start or to stop. But the best prevention would come from students encouraging the no-vape message.

How do you cope with stress and pressure?

  • I usually just sit and listen or play music on the guitar.
  • Listen to music, play sports and talk to my siblings and friends.
  • I try to plan, prioritize and manage my time.
  • I think of something I am looking forward to and I spend time with my family and friends.
  • I go on drives, run, exercise/workout, and hangout with my friends.
  • I take a step back; take a deep breath and I tell myself that I have no reason to be stressed and that I need to calm down and relax.
  • By taking a break from homework and everything and just watch a show or talk to a friend.

What should they teach in school but don’t?

  • A self-defense class because it’s a good skill to have and it is fun to learn.
  • How to do taxes, trade stocks and really just how to manage your money by yourself.
  • Finance, mortgage, how to stay organized.
  • Life skills or long-term useful information. Schools need to be more ambitious in terms of our procession to adult life.
  • They should teach real computer classes where students can learn practical skills and more about computers rather than typing, essays and projects.
  • How to live on your own.
  • Drivers ed.
  • Life skills for the future. Introduction to different job fields.
  • How to do taxes. How to cook.
  • How to do your taxes. How to do laundry and more life skills.
  • Life skills.
  • Stress and emotional classes.
  • Practical life skills.
  • How to take care of your mental health

Something I’m worried about right now is… and 1 thing I can do that might help me with it.

  • School in general.
    • Relax, don’t be anxious, things happen as they happen.
  • A-push.
    • Staying organized, not procrastinating.
  • The fact that I already need to check my grades constantly is very stressing.
    • Music – playing and listening calms me down.
  • That people still vape and use alcohol.
  • School and grades.
    • Have good time management and stress relief.
    • Take time to relax and hang out with friends and family to just be happy.
  • SAT/tests and what I want to do in life.
  • School and grades.
    • Relaxing and not thinking so hard about it.
  • AP tests.
    • Planning out a study schedule.
  • I am worried about my grades right now and one thing that could help is studying and meditation.

Dear younger me…

  • Don’t get into small fights with your friends and family… it’s a waste of time.
  • Keep up the great work!
  • The dreams you have will someday come true.
  • Live in the present and don’t worry about the past or future.
  • Don’t spend a lot of time worrying about everyone else and their feelings – focus on your own happiness.
  • Stand up straight with your shoulders back.
  • Live in the moment and have fun.
  • Live life to the fullest.
  • Relax and don’t be stressed. Enjoy life.
  • Stay organized and take life one day at a time.
  • Stop trying to fit into the “popular” crowd.