How to cope with feeling lonely at school

Topics mentioned: loneliness, problems at school, peer pressure

About: Loneliness is something we've all felt at some point in our lives. Taryn shares her experience of feeling lonely at school and her tips for coping.

Loneliness is something we've all felt at some point in our lives, so why is it such an isolating feeling? School is a place full of people. Everywhere you look there's always someone, so it's impossible to feel lonely in school, right?

School can actually be a very lonely place for some of us. I for one find it incredibly isolating and lonely. Just because I don't fit into any particular group, sometimes I feel like I'm not worthy. I'm sitting in class and as I look around at everyone talking to each other and laughing, it baffles me how it's possible to feel so alone in such a crowded room.

I'd do anything to fit in and be involved. As I sit there by myself I feel like I stand out like a sore thumb, yet no one seems to notice me.

The dreaded lunch and break time arrive and I'm alone again. So I walk around and around the school until the bell goes. I'm alone with my thoughts and it’s awful. Some people make mean comments, as if this was all some sort of joke. As if this was how I wanted to spend my lunch time. I try to ignore it but it becomes impossible.

There's no escape, no safe place. I know I'm not the only one who feels like this. We need to do something. I don't want anyone else to experience this.

So what can we do? For one, if you see someone who seems lonely, try and show some compassion and kindness rather than causing more pain.

When faced with the feeling of loneliness on a daily basis, the urge and need to fit in can be so strong that perhaps we'd do anything to be liked. School is like a breeding ground for peer pressure and it can be really tempting to give in. But it's important that you only do what you're comfortable with, because if someone is pressuring you to do something you don't want to do, then they aren't right for you. You’ll find your group eventually and it'll be worth the wait.

Each and every day, as I get closer and closer to school, the pit in my stomach gets worse and the nausea increases. It's unbearable and no one seems to notice or care. My advice to anyone in a similar situation is to try and find a release, some sort of activity that you enjoy.

Perhaps it's screaming relatable lyrics from the top of your lungs or maybe it's journaling about how you're feeling. Something therapeutic. Different things work for different people, but it's important to find some way to release some of the difficult and negative emotions or they'll build up, which ultimately leads to more pain.

It's not easy and you're doing the best you can, so you should be proud of yourself. Keep going and don't be afraid to reach out to someone. You've got this. You are enough.