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So young and dying slowly from stress...

I'm so stressed out. I don't know what to do.

I'm 16. I have 2 part time jobs that are the least of my worries right now.

This is my first year of doing HS through Connections Academy. Oh my lord, I regret it so badly!

This school is making it impossible for me to learn...They've been on my butt about not doing the minimum a day, which is 6 lessons. Usually I do them a few days a week, but it usually totals to about 30 lessons a week. What does it matter if I do 5 one day and 10 the next? Ugh, anyways, now they say they're going to report me as a truant because of it.

Okay, I admit, I am a bit behind in Algebra, but I thought we could go at our own pace, somewhat? Apparantly not.

Then, okay, the computer they sent me is a piece of crap, because I have to use my laptop 90% of the time.

Anyways this is stressing me out to the max...I have been up since 2:30am. It's 2:06pm. I have to work all night. I'm not getting any sleep. I can't sleep. Then I have to work tomorrow at 4. I get off at 6am. I'll probably smuggle in a couple of hours tomorrow...I have to. I can't go that long without something.

When I do get sleep, I sleep a heck of a lot. I'm so stressed out. I feel like crawling in a hole and never waking up again. I don't even care anymore, and that's sad, because I did care a lot.

Anyways...I just wanted to share that with you and ask if there's any other options out there for me. I don't know what to do.

Assuming you live in the US...

I'm pretty sure there's supposed to be a limit on how many hours a week you can work during the school year. I thought it was under 20.  Sounds like your 2 part time jobs are getting in the way of your school work.

That, and it seems like child labor laws would prohibit you from working "all night".  I'm not well versed in labor laws but I do wonder.

I don't know what a Connection school, but it sounds like its online/correspondence?  Why are you doing this instead of regular HS?  Can't you talk to your parents/guardians?

The education should be first.  I understand that CA advertises freedom to go at your own pace and it's not as good as it sounds.  With that said, I think you should stick it out and finish the school year.  Even if you have to ask for a couple weeks off work to work ahead and get the schooling completed or at least a few assignments ahead.  Those two part-time jobs are not going to matter in 5 or 10 years.  They might not even matter in two years.  Your education is going to be important your entire life.

Original Post by adolphs:

That, and it seems like child labor laws would prohibit you from working "all night".  I'm not well versed in labor laws but I do wonder.

I don't know what a Connection school, but it sounds like its online/correspondence?  Why are you doing this instead of regular HS?  Can't you talk to your parents/guardians?

 I'm pretty sure if you're under 18 you can't work past 10pm or something like that in most states.  Some are earlier. 

Like august said -- education first.  If you can't keep up with your school work b/c of your job, then ditch the job. 

I'm gonna assume the OP is working for a family member or working under the table b/c I'm pretty sure most companies wouldn't hire a minor for the overnight shift...

I guess not.  On the US Dept of Labor website,

If you are 16 or older, you can work . . .

Any day, any time of day, and for any number of hours. There are no restrictions on the work hours of youth age 16 or older.

The restrictions only apply to those between 14 (the min age to work) and 16.

That must have changed recently.  I remember when I was working in retail, we had to give special consideration for teenagers, and we had no one under the age of 16.

Original Post by adolphs:

I guess not.  On the US Dept of Labor website,

If you are 16 or older, you can work . . .

Any day, any time of day, and for any number of hours. There are no restrictions on the work hours of youth age 16 or older.

The restrictions only apply to those between 14 (the min age to work) and 16.

That must have changed recently.  I remember when I was working in retail, we had to give special consideration for teenagers, and we had no one under the age of 16.

 Yeah it must've changed.  Although, local curfew laws would apply I would think.  Although most of them have a clause for driving to and from work....

But seriously, education first at that age regardless of the law.  If you can't handle both, drop the job(s).

Oh, and driver's licenses have restrictions, too.  A friend of mine has a 16 yr old son and she was telling me how they can't drive by themselves, or only during certain hours, etc.  A lot has changed since I was that age, when they just handed you a full license at 16.  Now apparently they are provisional, and gradually lift restrictions off as you get older, and you don't get a full license until 18.  That would vary by state, though, I guess.

If you can make it through the year, I recommend Ashworth. I switched from Keystone in May and it's fantastic. Plus my payments are only 40 a month. I would tell you to ease up on the jobs but I'm guessing you have to pay for your schooling and I know CA is expensive I looked into it. The only thing you can do is talk to the vp of your school and see if you can do things differently or make a switch to a different school before your grades suffer. If you need anything else don't hesitate to email, I've become pretty familiar with the world of online courses.

Original Post by michachu:

Original Post by adolphs:

I guess not.  On the US Dept of Labor website,

If you are 16 or older, you can work . . .

Any day, any time of day, and for any number of hours. There are no restrictions on the work hours of youth age 16 or older.

The restrictions only apply to those between 14 (the min age to work) and 16.

That must have changed recently.  I remember when I was working in retail, we had to give special consideration for teenagers, and we had no one under the age of 16.

 Yeah it must've changed.  Although, local curfew laws would apply I would think.  Although most of them have a clause for driving to and from work....

But seriously, education first at that age regardless of the law.  If you can't handle both, drop the job(s).

 I don't think they do...Because I've never had an issue with it. And the jobs aren't really the big deal here. I don't work THAT much. I did, and then I became a fill-in for the other job. In fact, the last time I worked this week was Sunday. Then I work today and then tomorrow. 3 days in a week is one of my longer weeks.

Original Post by jess_sun:

If you can make it through the year, I recommend Ashworth. I switched from Keystone in May and it's fantastic. Plus my payments are only 40 a month. I would tell you to ease up on the jobs but I'm guessing you have to pay for your schooling and I know CA is expensive I looked into it. The only thing you can do is talk to the vp of your school and see if you can do things differently or make a switch to a different school before your grades suffer. If you need anything else don't hesitate to email, I've become pretty familiar with the world of online courses.

 Actually, my school is free. It's free public lol. I looked into doing it privately and it is very expensive and I couldn't afford it. 40 a month doesn't sound too bad...I'll look into it :) I'm trying to save up/pay for braces and a car. I kind of need these jobs, and other people can do it. Surely I can. It's just CA doesn't make it any easier.

Can I ask why you've gone this route in life? What are the reasons that you work two jobs and do high school online? It seems like a lot of stress to take on yourself at 16. I teach jr/sr high, and the most these kids worry about is the next basketball game and what movie to see on the weekend. So, I'm curious as to why you're not hanging out with your friends at the movies on weekends instead of worrying about work and online schooling.

Original Post by sleepless_in_america:

I'm trying to save up/pay for braces and a car. I kind of need these jobs, and other people can do it. Surely I can. It's just CA doesn't make it any easier.

You need a car less than you need your education.  If your jobs are interfering with school, you need to quit and focus on school.  Some people can do both.  Others can't.  At the very least, if you must work, get a job that doesn't mess with your sleeping patterns by making you stay as late as these jobs are. 

Enough with the "I'm dying" posts.  Go back to public school and get your parents to support you like they're supposed to.  And be thankful you're healthy enough to work two jobs. 

I don't live in the US so I am not going to comment on laws etc but, you need to take positive action to reduce your stress I would suggest you drop one of the jobs at least.

Stress is the biggest of the silent killers in the world don't allow yourself to become a statistic!

You know what you need to do.

Original Post by counselork:

Can I ask why you've gone this route in life? What are the reasons that you work two jobs and do high school online? It seems like a lot of stress to take on yourself at 16. I teach jr/sr high, and the most these kids worry about is the next basketball game and what movie to see on the weekend. So, I'm curious as to why you're not hanging out with your friends at the movies on weekends instead of worrying about work and online schooling.

 Okay, ONE JOB is basically a fill-in. I'm not even supposed to be on the schedule anymore, but they put me on for Friday and I can never find anyone to work for me...So what am I a supposed to do? If she continues to put me on it like this, then I will quit. I specifically told her I don't have enough time for it. Why do I do online school? Because I got sick of being around the fiends in my old school.

Original Post by rosieblue:

Enough with the "I'm dying" posts.  Go back to public school and get your parents to support you like they're supposed to.  And be thankful you're healthy enough to work two jobs. 

 Whoa, take it easy. I assume you are being sarcastic but please keep in mind that the OP is 16. Maybe the parents are not in the picture or not able to support him or her because of extenuating circumstances. The OP came here for help and support, not unnecessary criticism. And saying "be thankful you're healthy enough to work two jobs" doesn't really apply to a 16 year old, since most 16 year olds are healthy and would likely only be working 2 jobs because their own/their family's circumstances are not great.

No, I wasn't being sarcastic.  I meant every word. 

Online school takes a lot of discipline which sleepless in america doesn't seem to have.  If she wants to flunk out, she's going about it the right way.  If she wants to finish, she'll have to rethink her priorities.  School comes first.  If there are "fiends" at her public school, she needs to find another way, or rather, her parents need to help her find another way.  They definitely need to crack the whip so she gets her schoolwork done.  Not doing it shouldn't be an option. 

Double post, but I still mean it.

Sleepless, why are you having to save money to buy a car and braces?  A car shouldn't be a priority in high school and you shouldn't have to pay for your own braces.  What's your family situation that requires you to be so financially independent?  Your parents should be taking care of you so that you can focus on your education.  One part time job is one thing - I had one in high school, but seriously, you shouldn't have to pay for your own education at 16.

She's not paying for her education. It's a free alternative available to her.

However, I agree that she needs to get her stuff in line because this obviously isn't working. Go back to school. I don't see how this online stuff is even comparable to in-class education. Unless you have some health problem (like someone posted about their daughter in another thread) that keeps you out of school a lot, you should be in regular classes. 

I also don't know why people think it's so strange to pay for your own car as a h.s. student. I did it. I worked 20 hours a week and went to regular high school and was involved in loads of clubs and it was fine for me. However, I had no problems motivating myself to do my work either.

If you're only working 2-3 days a week, OP, why can't you finish your work on time?