School: a blessing and a curse for all. You receive the much-needed education, however, in hindsight, school may not always be as positive as thought to be. Many children and/ or teenagers experience a decrease in mental health posing a threat to their school life and personal happiness. It ignites a question to all – ‘what is school to you?’ In the British school system, when beginning secondary school, it is a huge leap from primary school – scary and frightful even, when school begins to feel even more serious, shortening the span of time to more important exams and eventually GCSE’s. This can begin a fear as to what could and will happen, the main factor students grasp onto for help: their friends. Despite the fact school is for learning, the people inhabiting any school shape the community and how worries of one another are tackled. When students feel discouraged or anxious from the year change, exams, or any other issue taken place at school ‘you can speak to a teacher, but personally I found being around my friends is most helpful’, Izabella Campbell Chorley, a sixth form student, explains. Strengthening the argument that in situations students will rely on one another. Izabella Campbell Chorley, recollects on her time during secondary school and GCSE’s, being the most important memory to her, stating ‘during my exams, it took a toll on everyone, it was something we had never truly experienced to that degree and led to stress incomprehensible’ though ‘my mental health is better than before because I realised - I could rely on my friends and almost have easy access to them’. School in this case, is seen as a place that may cause stress due to the work overload and exams, however, a way to also access stress relievers instantaneously as well – through friendships and socialisation.

Another sixth form student, Amelia Young, was asked what school meant to her and how it had changed from secondary school. Similarly, Amelia Young answered, ‘school is a place to see my friends, learn and prepare for my future’ however ‘it is quite stressful and can lead to a deterioration in mental health if not nurtured’. On the flip side of a school’s community, Miss Young poses an idea that ‘it would be a lot easier if people were nicer’ for in school from peers you may face the most backlash, as well as positivity. ‘I will not really listen or focus on class and do worse consequently due to the stress received from schoolwork and peer pressure’, Amelia Young when asked how she may react to the negativity in school. Amelia Young further described that sixth form has been a positive change for her as she is surrounded by friends than foes more frequently.

School is a place to learn. But a way to also find yourself - developing your ambitions and following them through. Though school life is not easy at all, schoolwork is stressful and the setting too, which can quickly deplete mental health. But there are always ways to try to turn things around - most students using their friends as a prime example. These students in participation, have experienced secondary school and are now leading a similar life in sixth form. School allows you to begin a fruitful life, even with some drawbacks along the way, which was explained that there are ways to tackle them and move on, ready to ‘prepare for my future’.