Why Do I Hate School So Much? 7 Ways To Make School More Enjoyable

It can be normal to occasionally dread school when you have a big test coming up or you didn’t sleep well the night before. However, if you are unhappy every day at school and constantly look for ways to avoid going, there might be something else going on. This article will look at some of the most common reasons that students hate school and possible solutions to help resolve each one. If you find yourself constantly wondering, ‘why do I hate school so much?’ it can also be beneficial to work with a therapist and develop coping strategies that make the school day more enjoyable. 

Academic struggles

If you’re experiencing difficulty in most of your classes, going to school may be the last thing you want to do. In high school, academic challenges may feel especially overwhelming, as your academic performance can impact your college acceptance and scholarship options as you near your senior year. 

Solution: Talk to teachers, peers, and school counselors

It may be helpful to reach out to your teachers the moment you begin to feel like you’re falling behind or don’t understand the content. They may be able to recommend helpful resources and further explain concepts that are confusing. You might sign up for extended school services and participate in tutoring before or after school, where you will receive additional help in challenging subjects. It may also be helpful to form study groups with your classmates. Finally, consider speaking to a guidance counselor about academic accommodations that could help you be successful in the classroom, such as extended testing time or modified notes for each lecture. 

Boredom with teachers or classes

If you don’t feel challenged or engaged in your classes, it may feel like a waste of time to go to school. There are a few different reasons you might be bored in your classes. Some teachers may not have an engaging teaching style, or certain subjects may not interest you. You may also find that you master new content with ease and nothing is challenging you mentally. 

Solution: Consider AP classes and activities that might help you hate school less

You can’t change your teachers’ teaching style, but you can seek additional learning opportunities. Advanced placement (AP) classes are undergraduate university-level classes that are offered to high school students. They typically involve a great deal of critical thinking and cover a wide range of challenging content. At the end of the semester or year, you can also take an AP exam and earn college credit. Some high schools also offer dual credit classes that allow you to earn high school and college credits at the same time. 

There are also nearly endless opportunities to challenge yourself outside of the classroom. You might take up a new hobby that stimulates your mind or body, such as an artistic endeavor or sport. This won’t change what’s happening during the school day, but it can give you something to look forward to each afternoon. 

Social challenges

Adolescence can be a tough time for many people. Social challenges, such as feeling exceptionally lonely or being bullied, can make high school feel difficult for some students. Almost half of U.S. teens , and 22% of middle school and high school students reported being bullied at school. Even if you’re not being bullied by other kids, you may dislike school because you don’t have many close friends or feel like you’re an outsider. 

Solution: Talk to a teacher and try to establish friendships

Only  at school told their teacher or another adult about the bullying. It may be tempting not to report the bullying out of fear of retaliation or additional bullying. However, teachers and staff are trained to help resolve bullying and protect students. You can tell a trusted teacher or your guidance counselor so that you can receive appropriate support.

If you’re finding it challenging to make friends at school, you might look for opportunities outside of school to grow your social circle and create close friendships. This can help create a sense of belonging and stronger self-confidence. Possible places to make good friends include hobbyist groups, volunteer organizations, and religious gatherings.

Anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health challenges

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health challenges are becoming more common among teenagers. In 2021, 42% of U.S. high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless. Mental health symptoms can manifest in numerous ways, negatively impacting your academic performance, causing trouble sleeping, making you more irritable, making it hard to concentrate, and causing constant feelings of stress. 

Solution: Seek mental health treatment

By treating your anxiety or depression, you may find that your symptoms improve and you have a more positive outlook on all aspects of your life, including school. You can speak to a trusted adult, such as a parent or school counselor, about seeing a therapist. During therapy sessions, a therapist may teach you coping strategies to help reduce your symptoms and feelings of stress so that you don’t hate school so much. 

Test anxiety

Researchers estimate that anywhere from . Test anxiety can manifest in the same way as general anxiety, causing physical symptoms such as a dry mouth, faintness, shakiness, and nausea, as well as emotional symptoms such as intense fear, feelings of hopelessness, shame, and the urge to run away. Symptoms may look different from person to person, but test anxiety can make it difficult to focus and take a test successfully. Students with test anxiety may hate the thought of attending school anytime they have to take a test.

Solution for stress surrounding tests

You may be able to reduce test anxiety with a few strategies. The following are just a few:

• Identify your learning style and use that information to study in the most beneficial way. For example, visual learners may learn best by making graphic organizers to classify information, while auditory learners may learn best by listening to a recording about the content. 
• Begin studying as soon as you find out when your next test is, and incorporate practice tests that mimic the layout of your real test.
• Practice self-care in the days leading up to the test and on the morning of the test. Instead of staying up late studying, you might go to bed early so that your brain and body will feel rested. Also, it may help to eat a nutritious breakfast with enough protein to fuel you throughout the day. Finally, you can dress comfortably and practice positive self-talk, affirming that you can do hard things. 

Inflexibility

The rigid scheduling of school may feel frustrating for students who appreciate having more freedom with their time and want to feel like they have control over their own life. Many middle and high schools also begin early in the morning, sometimes even before eight o’clock. If you don’t consider yourself a morning person, you may dread having to wake up so early each morning. 

Solution: Look for co-op programs and improve your morning routine

If your school offers a co-op program, consider signing up to participate in it. With a co-op program, you’re typically able to pursue a work-based learning experience. You may attend school part of the day and then leave school to go to your co-op, where you could work in a job that pertains to the field you want to enter. 

In addition, you can’t change your school’s starting time, but you can implement strategies to make mornings feel like less of a chore. For example, it may help to stick to a bedtime that allows you enough sleep every night. You may even need to place your phone in another room to avoid scrolling late into the night. Also, you can plan something that brings you joy each morning, such as eating your favorite breakfast or listening to a song that lifts your mood. 

You feel overwhelmed

Going to high school is a full-time, 40-hours-a-week job. Add in the extracurriculars or part-time employment that many students participate in, and it’s easy to see how you might feel overwhelmed. 

Solution: Limit your commitments and improve planning

If you don’t feel like you have enough hours in the day, it may be time to consider what you can take off your plate. This might mean saying no to some social invitations, limiting hours at your part-time job, or not participating in a sport or club. If you’re determined to maintain all of your current commitments, it can be helpful to implement new organizational methods. For example, you can try out a digital or paper planner or try different time management strategies after school to find out which option helps you be most efficient. 

Alternative education paths

The traditional four-year public high school education isn’t right for every teenager. There are numerous alternative education paths you may consider. This can vary from state to state, but some common options include:

• In-person high school classes in a separate building (commonly known as alternative school), sponsored by the school district
• Residential university programs for gifted high school students
• Accredited online virtual academy
• Charter schools
• Magnet schools

Resources for students who hate school

A variety of resources are available to help students have a more positive outlook when it comes to school. The following are just a few:

Online therapy platforms

Online therapy platforms typically make it easy to connect with a licensed therapist. This may be especially helpful for students who live in areas with few therapists.

National mental health organizations

Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness offer support and resources for students who are experiencing mental health challenges. Students may also find valuable information from Mental Health America. 

School counselors

School counselors may have information about alternative scheduling options that can meet the needs of various students. They may also be able to help students navigate various mental health challenges. 

Beyond school counselors: Online therapy to address hating school

Although school counselors can often be helpful, some students may find they benefit from therapy to navigate mental health challenges. However, students with a busy schedule may find it hard to add one more thing to their agenda. With online therapy, students can meet with a therapist at a time that’s most convenient, whether that’s after soccer practice or on a less hectic weekend day. 

Because of the convenience online therapy, users may also find it easier to match with a therapist that feels like a good fit for them. For example, BetterHelp allows users to change therapists at any time. There’s no need to let your current therapist know you’re switching or spend days searching for a new in-network provider. 

Can online therapy help those who are hating school?

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for a number of mental health conditions. One study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective for social anxiety and depression, which may be common among students who hate school.