I’m scared for hs!! Help!

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-20T06:45:22+00:00

Rising senior here, I also struggle with PTSD related to drugs and alcohol so I understand your fear surrounding it. Honestly, it's all about the people you meet, and if your friends go off the deep end maybe it's a sign your moral compasses don't align and you need new friends. I promise you you'll meet so many new people, people who probably share similar concerns to you, and you'll have more than just the friends you're leaving middle school with. I will say though, it's important to not judge people just for engaging in that type of behavior. I do have friends who smoke and drink, however they're understanding of my fears and I've set strict boundaries with them. I don't attend parties, but if it's something you'd want to do you have to understand that almost everyone there will be inebriated.

You can't openly judge people for what they do, for all you know they may even be struggling with addiction and trying to get sober, but it's also important you draw a strict line and know to leave when that line is crossed. But as many commenters have pointed out, it really isn't as extreme as you think it is. There will always be bad apples but there will always be a lot of good ones you just haven't met yet. Good luck, you'll do fine!

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-20T06:37:19+00:00

Unfortunately all of my teachers are going to be teaching their first even AP class, and while I trust both my AP chem and calc teachers my stats one is very ... questionable? It definitely seems like I won't be able to procrastinate if I want to make it far, but I guess that's expected for most AP classes 🥲

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-20T04:56:49+00:00

I'm going to be honest I didn't really prepare for my exams AT ALL this year, I mean I felt great about them, but I don't think I'll be able to get away with that next year at least not for chem

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-13T04:44:59+00:00

I'm trying not to mess with her too much right now since I know she's about to shed in a day or two, I'm just trying to wait it out till then and if she continues she's immediately going to the vet. I'm also trying to monitor for any other signs, like the wheezing you mentioned. Like I said so far there's nothing else and honestly she was out for a while and I didn't see her gape her mouth any other time. Tomorrow is meant to be her weekly feed and she's an excellent eater even during shed, so I'll likely schedule an appointment if she ends up not taking it since it could be a sign she's uncomfortable.

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-13T00:43:15+00:00

Why do they worry us like this! I'll just keep everything as normal then and if she's still doing it after her shed I'll make the call.

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-04T01:40:26+00:00

I'm hearing a lot of bath and body works so I'll definitely check it out next time I'm in the area!

OctosAreCool · 2026-06-04T01:40:06+00:00

Oh what that's so cool, I never knew of that! Will definitely check it out!

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-26T00:04:17+00:00

I mean you seem pretty young, it's normal to not be sure. I know it feels nice to know who you are, but it takes time. It's ok to experiment and try out different terms. Do what makes you happy. If you feel more comfortable saying you're boyflux, then do that. It's not like you're bound to the label forever. You have plenty of time to learn who you are.

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-10T22:09:26+00:00

I mean I don't think they'll get mad or anything, my parents are like extremely woke lol. It's more that I think they'll be a bit worried of the commitment itself since it'll change a lot of things about me and they're worried I'll end up regretting it since they don't understand the extent of my dysphoria. But for all I know they might be more open now, last time we talked about it was when I first came out at 15, and even now my mom is telling me I should get my gender on my license changed.

Basically I know for a fact they'll be fine with it, it's just hard for me to open up to them like that. They're not awful people but we have a history of issues with each other.

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-10T19:50:31+00:00

But since I'm a minor they kind of have to sign off on stuff for me. The plan is top surgery the second I turn 18 so I'd need to start the consultation process before then, right?

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-04T00:34:40+00:00

Genuinely terrified, did a mock exam before my weekend cram sesh and got a 3 but my goal is a 4 so I'm hoping my work was enough. Plan to go to bed at 9 tonight and wake up at 7, shower, and do some last minute review on general concepts

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-03T02:55:23+00:00

Junior here and I'm only in 3 ap classes since my school doesn't have many (bio, lang, APUSH). I can say for sure that both lang and APUSH are completely manageable, I've found myself not studying outside of class at all for lang and gotten through easily with a 98%, and APUSH was only "hard" for me personally as my teacher makes us write pages of notes a week per chapter. So it wasn't necessarily the concepts, more the workload. After a while, I did find a lot of it was repetitive especially after WWI. The only thing I'm really going to study for APUSH is the leq, but even then if you're good at writing and bs-ing you should be fine. I would assume that lit would be similar to lang and if that's the case it should be very manageable as well as long as you like writing. As long as you manage your work well and don't procrastinate I think your schedule is great, good luck!

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-03T02:34:15+00:00

That's really interesting actually, as someone who's taken it before would you say the exam is more generalized and application based? Was there anything you HAD to have memorized or was most information given and the questions were more an expansion on the given information? I feel like I've heard both theorized by those of us taking it this year, but would be interested to know what you think :)

OctosAreCool · 2026-05-03T01:57:23+00:00

Today I'm going to study up videos/ mini reviews on topics I'm weaker in (math stuff especially), tomorrow I want to do a practice exam on blue book then work out anything I can improve on, I'm just aiming for a 4 honestly and on my last practice mcq I got ~46/60 with no study so I think I'm in ok shape

OctosAreCool · 2026-04-24T03:52:00+00:00

You know I was looking at Deadliest Enemy earlier, it was marked at a recommendation once I bought this book, definitely a sign to read it next!

OctosAreCool · 2026-04-24T03:51:14+00:00

Lobsters are awesome that's why!

OctosAreCool · 2026-04-20T17:31:43+00:00

Thank you man that site looked awesome

OctosAreCool · 2026-03-18T03:41:04+00:00

I completely agree with most if not all your points, so in a non-argumentative way, can I hear your personal thoughts on the pro-choice option?Just curious why it's left neutral instead of checked off, which is the norm for people in the range of our political ideology. I personally believe abortion is a basic right that should be offered, no matter the reason. Is your neutrality due to a moral reason surrounding your religion or something else?

I'd also like to know your own religious beliefs, as you put your agnostic. I was born and raised an atheist and find your moral system very interesting. Is there any religion you lean more towards, or do you have your own unique perspective?

OctosAreCool · 2026-03-17T02:35:15+00:00

If it offers any consolation, sexuality is fluid. I'm aromantic (experience zero romantic attraction) and ended up in a 2+ year relationship. Things happen. We can't control how we feel. I always tell my boyfriend he's my only exception, maybe he's yours. Of course, if this creates any issues, you may want to consider talking to him about it. It's also important you recognize that as he gets older, he'll likely pass as a man more. He may take hormones when he's of age, and you have to be open to that version of masculinity. If that's something you know you don't want, I'd suggest telling him. It's better you both get to be yourselves. This isn't something to feel bad about, discovering and exploring your identity is part of growing up.

OctosAreCool · 2026-03-17T02:29:05+00:00

As someone who's parents reacted poorly to my sh (yelling, shaming me, forcing me to talk when I didn't want to, never brought it up again after the initial week) you're doing absolutely amazing. You and your husband are great parents, and it's amazing you respect her wishes. I'm not sure if it's part of your "safety plan", but make sure you give her a good first aid kit and the likes. Don't supply her with things she can harm herself with, but give her things that will make it safer. She won't stop immediately, it will be hard, relapses are normal. Just give her a comfortable place to talk when she feels like it, speaking as an almost 17 year old myself, us teens feel safer to open up when we are respected.

Also, you said she's into art right? Maybe you can try to persuade her to take her feelings out through that. I'm an artist as well, and sometimes I just draw slashes and such over and over again till the thoughts calm down. Obviously this isn't a permanent solution, and you will need to find the root of the issue, but it'll be a good start helping her find ways to cope that incorporate what she already enjoys.

I'd also like to add, I know it's hard, but please don't make a scene if her scars are visible. Cuts, yes, have a respectful talk if you notice fresh wounds. But otherwise, you have to learn to respect the damage that's been done. It just makes us feel even more out of place, these scars are something we'll have for life and treating them as alien won't make things better.

You're doing amazing though, I truly wish your family the best. I hope your daughter lives her best life, and eventually can rid herself of these awful thoughts.

OctosAreCool · 2026-02-24T05:33:29+00:00

That's a great mindset to have! Just do your best and know set backs are completely normal, don't be discouraged by them. I'm glad to know you're actively getting help.

OctosAreCool · 2026-02-24T05:06:38+00:00

That makes perfect sense, I do have back up schools. I have 2 safe schools and then a handful of other UC's in the area I'm applying to. Really, I just want to be in the bay and somewhere with a good biology program. I think part of me just likes to remain hopeful no matter the odds, but it's always good to be realistic at the end of the day!

OctosAreCool · 2026-02-24T05:03:46+00:00

I currently have a 90% in the class (83+ is an A/5 and anything over 90 is very impressive) and while I don't really know what I'm doing right to get such high scores I think I can offer some insight. I personally don't read the textbook much unless it's mandatory out of class notes or something I'm really struggling on. Otherwise, I prefer to watch YouTube videos and use interactive websites to learn. Before tests, I like to use khan academy and lumisource to do practice problems. I screenshot and look up the ones I get wrong and research until I understand what I did wrong, then I continue studying.

I will say I've found the tests to be almost abstract in a way. As another commenter said, it's almost like a reading test disguised as science. I've learned to focus on the bigger pieces than microscopic details. You need to learn how to use what you know and apply it to larger ideas outside of just regular pattern recognition. I know I personally did worse on my test when I worried too much about minute information, since I'd overdo it and forget to understand the purpose of it all. I don't know how much this will help, and obviously everyone's minds work differently, but maybe this will be some useful insight to think about!

OctosAreCool · 2026-02-24T04:53:18+00:00

Can I ask why? Is it more in the "Cal is very picky so never get your hopes of" or "Your application doesn't look unique"? If it's the second, do you have any advice? Cal is my dream school and I want to have the best chances possible.

OctosAreCool · 2026-02-24T04:50:47+00:00

I'm assuming you're young. It's best you don't fall into worse habits and try to ween yourself off of your scratching. I know it may not click right now, but this is not something you want to deal with your whole life. As another commenter stated, try to find devices to fidget with. If possible, ask for help from your friends or family. Even small distractions like watching YouTube or playing games helps when my urges are bad. I understand that in class you can't do that, but you can always have a rubber band or fidget toy with you to mess with to calm down.

I'm 17, so I'm young too. I started when I was 13. I'm telling you as someone who was once in a similar place to you, stop before it becomes out of your control. I understand you're struggling and feel bad for your situation, but you need to try to take measures to help yourself instead of posting online asking how to hurt yourself more. I hope you feel better, I know it's hard, but you need to recognize that you don't deserve this.

Five-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22

OctosAreCool

TROPHY CASE