That’s great advice from passionate self.

Something else that might be worth thinking about: When I was at school, I never had anything to do with kids in the year above or below – other year groups were like foreign countries! But really, year-groups generally overlap a lot in terms of maturity – some of the 9th graders will seem more mature than many of 10th graders. Once you know them, they’ll just be people! My friends now range in age much more than a year older or younger – it really isn’t very much at all, especially if you don’t make out that it is. Forget about ages, and just make the most of the opportunity you’ve been given to really shine! (Though don’t overdo it and feel you have to be perfect and best at everything – that really is a recipe for stress!)

On other threads, you’ve mentioned anxiety – coming on here and finding out about ways to cope with that is really constructive – give yourself a big pat on the back for being proactive there! If you haven’t already, I’d strongly suggest investigating meditation – lots of information on tiny buddha about that, but again, don’t feel you have to be perfect (the source of many of my anxieties), just try it and see if it helps. I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t.

Also, if it were me, I’d use an avatar without my photo on. 🙂
Enjoy your new adventure, and make the most of it. It really is an opportunity for you, nothing to do with failure at all. Take care.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by rosamundi.