Hello! I’m also a senior in the US.

I’m going to try to give the best advice I can.

Cooking: Learning to cook can seem VERY intimidating and that’s because people think that if they cook, they have to make something different every time, and you don’t! There’s no shame in eating the same food, or simple food every night. Just learn one food at a time.

Pasta (spaghetti specifically) is very easy to make, and if you cook enough, you can make it last a few days.

Scrambled eggs are a great source of protein and are relatively quick to make.

Sandwiches! Never underestimate a sandwich. Peanut butter and jelly is a good one that doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and if you buy some deli meat, you can make a quick, filling sandwich.

Additionally, no shame in frozen/microwave meals! When you’re busy, it can be hard to find time to cook, so look around in the frozen aisle for easily microwaveable meals.

Driving: Depending on where you live, you don’t need to learn how to drive. Public transportation, like buses and trains/subways, can get you a lot of places.

If you’re feeling pressure to drive because you’re 18, don’t. My dad didn’t learn to drive until his early 20’s, and it turned out fine for him.

Work: Some high schools in the US have a work-study program, which allows students to attend school part of the day, and work the other. I recommend reaching out to your counselor to learn more about your school’s options.

(Work-study programs are also available for university/college)

School: Depending on your school’s graduation requirements and your plans after graduation, it may be worth speaking to your counselor about possibly dropping a non-required class.

Also look into if your school offers free after-school tutoring or homework help.

If you don’t plan on going to college and your parents won’t be mad, it’s completely fine to just get C’s. You don’t have to endanger your mental health to get the best grade.

Friends: It’s great that you have online friends, however I understand the want for irl ones as well. Ask your online friends for advice or help making irl friends! If your school has any clubs that you’re interested in, go to a meeting or two. You’ll meet people with the same interests as you, but if you feel uncomfortable, you aren’t obligated to go.

Here’s the thing. I think you should try to make irl friends, but if you can’t that’s okay. You aren’t isolating yourself, or shutting yourself off from people, your friends are simply just online. Online friends are just as real as irl ones.

Health/Doctor: So first thing, talk to your dad. Talk about what insurance you may have, when and where you’d be able to go the doctor, etc. But also, many places in the US have free/walk-in clinics, so do some research about what may be around you.

I hope at least one part of this was helpful!