I'm just...crushed by stress

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I am terrible at math (failed), and I am in a family of math-people. My parents expect me to get good grades but no matter what, I just can’t (I hate math and numbers on a whole). My parents aren’t abusive, but I just can’t seem to tell them how I ACTUALLY feel. Everything just seems like it’s my fault and I feel the world closing in. I lost my close friends, cry for 6h straight, and just feel I’m worthless. My grades are slipping, even for my strongest subject. I’ve got AL17 in total and I have a BIG, BIG exam in a few more months. I’m crying right now, and at the rock bottom of my life. Can anyone give me some advice? I’m so stressed and mentally exhausted now :sob:

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Hello @KwelKat35 firstly, it must be really tough for you going through so many things at one go so you are definitely not worthless :people_hugging: and I get your feelings towards math haha :,) It can be so abstract sometimes and difficult to understand especially Amath where the numbers sometimes aren’t even numbers :grimacing:

From what you say I can sense that you are already trying your best and that’s what is important I feel heh What do you think?

Regarding advice on how to communicate with your parents I feel that its first important to let them know that what you need or want is for them to listen without judgement first to better understand how you feel. Perhaps typing it out first can help you figure out what you want to say. You can try saying “I would like for the both of you to provide me a listening ear things have been difficult for me and I would like to share how I have been feeling towards it.” Or you can do what feels the most natural to you :slight_smile:

Hmm just curious when was the last time you took time to do something you enjoy and what was it if you are okay to share? Heh

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I think im out of touch w the education system but what is AL17? I only know L1r4 or 5 n gpa

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Dear @KwelKat35,

I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through such a tough time. School can be super hard, especially with subjects like math. :people_hugging: Thank you for sharing your feelings here—it’s really brave of you. :clap:t4: :clap:t4:

First, remember that struggling with math or any subject doesn’t mean you’re not smart or capable. You’re still trying even when it feels impossible, and that shows a lot of strength. :+1:t4: :+1:t4:

I noticed you mentioned losing close friends. If you feel comfortable, could you share what happened? Friendships can feel really important, and losing friends can make everything feel much harder. When we’re feeling down and stressed, it becomes even harder for our brains to focus and learn, especially with subjects we find challenging. It’s like trying to push a heavy rock up a hill. But when we feel calm and relaxed, learning something difficult feels more like pushing a rock down a hill—it’s much easier.

Stress can make it hard to learn. When we’re really stressed, especially if we don’t feel safe, our brains can’t focus well. Not all stress is the same—some stress can push us to do better, but too much can make things worse.

Here are some ways to help your body feel safe and calm:

Talking to your parents, a teacher, or a school counsellor can also help. They can support you and help you manage your stress. They’ve probably experienced similar stress in their own lives and might have strategies that can suit your personality and strengths. It might feel scary, but sharing how you feel can make a big difference. You might be surprised by how kind and supportive their reactions can be.

It’s also important to have a growth mindset. This means believing you can get better with time and effort. The big exam coming up is just one test—it doesn’t decide your whole life. Lots of people don’t do well in Big exams like on their PSLE but still do great later on. It’s okay to learn at a pace that feels right for you.

You’ve already taken a big step by reaching out and sharing your struggles. You’re not alone. There are lots of people who want to help you. I hope the above has been helpful and if you’d like more resources or if there is anything else you’d like to share with us, please do. We’re here to listen to you, your feelings are valid and you matter! :grinning:

Take care,
CoolBreeze =)

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hello!
not sure whether this will be of much help, but if it’s of any comfort, grades aren’t everything, and they don’t define u :face_holding_back_tears:🫶🏻 it doesn’t matter that your whole family are math people and you’re not (honestly was something my sis struggled with for a while, she got an A for math for psle (your AL2-4 equivalent) while the rest of the family got A* (AL1 equivalent)… it bothered her for the longest time).

everyone has different strengths, maybe yours isnt acads, which just means you may have to push yourself a little harder :sob: but push through okie, it’s just a few more months, and psle isn’t everything; there’s many people who do badly for psle who pick themselves up later on and end up doing well in life. maybe you’re just a late bloomer 🫶🏻

it’s okay to rest or cry it out if you’re stressed or overwhelmed, give yourself some time, and when you feel ready then you can go back to studying (don’t push yourself too hard though :sob:)

you got this ok :muscle:t2::muscle:t2: i believe in you 🫶🏻