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Learning is great, but you don't allow yourself any mistakes and you're increasingly fond of biting your nails?

second-year student class ranking academic pressure peer expectations personal challenges
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Learning is great, but you don't allow yourself any mistakes and you're increasingly fond of biting your nails? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

Teacher: I am a second-year middle school student. I am a good student and always rank first in class.

I'm still in the top 50 in my grade. I've been in the top 10.

I don't feel very proud of this, but rather under a lot of pressure. My classmates all think I'm amazing and great, and they praise me to the skies. They think I can do anything.

In fact, I don't think I'm anything special. I'm just conscientious and hardworking.

For their high "expectations". I push myself very hard, I don't allow myself any mistakes.

But recently, it seems that misfortune always happens to me. It seems that it happens at regular intervals of about two weeks.

First, I occasionally got distracted in class, and the teacher noticed. I also missed writing one side of my homework.

What's more, I've been sleeping too long at noon recently, and I'm always late, like three or four minutes. I feel very unhappy.

My good friend at school has changed again, and I've replaced him with someone I don't really like. I'm very depressed.

I'm not doing well in class. I'm increasingly fond of biting my nails.

I can't smile at all. I hope the teacher can help me.

Bennett Bennett A total of 3318 people have been helped

Greetings, I am Teacher Hou. When I see you, I empathize with you and offer you a gesture of comfort from a distance.

$$$$$$$$$$

1. It is evident that you possess wisdom and self-awareness.

It is evident that you are aware of the high regard in which your classmates hold you, perceiving you as "amazing" and "awesome." Despite this, you are not complacent, but rather possess a keen awareness of your own efforts, recognizing that you have simply been more conscientious and hardworking than usual. This self-awareness is commendable.

2. It is evident that you are experiencing a considerable degree of pressure.

As previously stated, the aforementioned pressure has the effect of causing the individual to push themselves to their limits, while simultaneously attempting to avoid any missteps.

3. It appears that you have recently been experiencing a sense of misfortune.

Such incidents as being caught daydreaming by the teacher, leaving homework unfinished, sleeping in and being late for class by three or four minutes, and being unhappy about being switched with a new classmate have a negative impact on the individual's emotional state and their ability to function effectively in the classroom.

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I understand that you are currently in the second year of junior high school. If the educational system in your country has a six-year compulsory education period, then this stage is likely to involve the greatest amount of homework, which is also relatively more challenging. If I were sitting next to you, I would want to reach out and stroke your back, from top to bottom, once, twice, or perhaps even three times, just to make you feel a little more relaxed.

Let us engage in a discussion on this topic.

1. What is your opinion of the notion that "no one is perfect"?

It is indubitable that no individual is without flaws. Regardless of one's inherent goodness, there will inevitably be occasions when mistakes are made.

As previously stated, these experiences are not uncommon, and many individuals, if not all, have encountered similar situations during their academic careers. Do you believe this to be true?

It is also possible that your teacher is occasionally late for class.

2. Accept imperfection as a natural aspect of the human condition.

It may be the case that your classmates have high expectations, which places you under considerable pressure. However, it is possible that your own expectations of yourself are in fact even greater than the pressure that they bring.

For example, it is not possible to fall back in terms of grades, even to second place, or to make mistakes. These factors have the potential to cause a significant decline in one's standing.

However, it is important to recognize that nobody is perfect. In order to become a better person, it is essential to learn to accept oneself and to embrace the idea that mistakes are an inevitable part of the learning process.

One might suggest that an effective approach would be to engage in self-talk, employing a constructive and encouraging tone. For instance, one might say to oneself:

It is beneficial to return to the task at hand after a brief interlude.

In the event of an unexcused absence, it is sufficient to complete the assignment upon returning to class.

I overslept and was consequently late for work. It would appear that I am experiencing a significant degree of fatigue, and that I require a period of approximately three to four minutes during which to rest.

Subsequently, it is important to note that even tigers engage in restorative behaviors such as napping. In this vein, it can be beneficial to engage in self-reflection by making a humorous facial expression in the mirror.

3. Everything that occurs has a reason behind it.

Everything occurs for a reason. The stress you experience, the elevated expectations you hold of yourself, and the emotions you are unable to release or express may manifest as nail-biting, which can provide a momentary sense of relief. It is possible that you still feel a degree of tension.

Fortunately, you were able to recognize the issue in a timely manner, muster the courage to seek assistance, and present your concerns in a forthright manner.

4. You possess the fortitude, whereas I possess the technique of deep breathing.

1) When experiencing feelings of nervousness or distress, it is recommended to pause one's current activity, close one's eyes, take a deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth, and then repeat this process three times. Should this not result in sufficient relaxation, it is advised to repeat the process ten or twenty times. It is important to note that deep breathing is an effective method for relaxation.

2) Once relaxation has been achieved, it is beneficial to engage in reflection. This entails identifying the specific circumstances that led to feelings of tension or distress. Was the event itself the primary source of these emotions, or were there other contributing factors?

One should endeavor to accept any outcome and reassure oneself that it is acceptable. One might also consider the possibility of distraction.

3) Transform elevated expectations into a constructive force, transforming pressure into motivation.

You are willing to acknowledge your own mistakes and view your classmates' high expectations and praise as a reflection of your capacity for learning. Additionally, you have observed that you are more serious and hardworking than they are. You have also demonstrated a willingness to relax your standards once, securing second place on an exam, and subsequently noting to them that a lack of effort will result in falling behind. You have even gone so far as to suggest that achieving second place may be perceived as insignificant.

It is essential to accept oneself, one's imperfections, and to strive to transform pressure into motivation. One is engaged in the pursuit of knowledge and excellence not for the sake of impressing others, but for the benefit of oneself. The motivation to work harder today is to ensure greater ease and success in the future.

When fatigue sets in, it is advisable to cease work and engage in restorative activities. It is only after a sufficient period of recuperation that one can resume work at an optimal level.

It is evident that you possess wisdom and self-awareness.

It is evident that you possess the capacity and foundation to succeed.

Furthermore, you are courageous.

&mdash

One final inquiry remains.

Consider the potential actions you could undertake to enhance your mood.

$$$$&$$$$$

As a practicing psychologist, I am available for consultation at One Psychological.

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Penelope Simmons Penelope Simmons A total of 9581 people have been helped

Hello, host! My name is Smile.

After reading your description, I understand your question better. I want to give you a hug in the four-dimensional space.

From what you've told me, it's clear that you're currently in a stressful situation that's making it difficult for you to adjust on your own. That's why you're seeking help on social media—and I admire your courage in doing so.

It's normal for people your age to face these challenges. Whether it's academic pressure or interpersonal issues, it's a natural part of being young. Take your time, don't rush, and don't stress. Putting too much pressure on yourself will only make things worse.

You need to give yourself more time to digest the problems you are currently facing.

You can do your best in your current academic situation and not be overly influenced by your classmates' comments. You are the only person who can influence you, so take their comments in perspective. Your classmates' current ranking is also unattainable for them, so they describe you in this way, which also brings you some pressure. However, these comments are unintentional and probably just meant to praise you.

I have also summarized some methods to help you alleviate the current situation, and I am confident they will help you.

(1) Accept your perfectionism. It shouldn't affect your current self too much. Accept the things you do poorly.

(2) Adjust your current state and view problems from multiple perspectives. Don't allow yourself to view problems in a single way.

(3) Do your best and leave the rest to fate. Don't be too affected by the external environment; listen to your inner thoughts.

(4) Release the stress through exercise, journaling, chatting, etc. Don't let it build up inside. Let it out!

(5) Face the current problems with a positive attitude. Don't use negative views to deal with them.

The world and I love you.

Best wishes!

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Fabian Fabian A total of 4941 people have been helped

I'm so happy you were able to talk about this! It was such a pleasure listening to your story.

It's so great that you can ask for help! Thank you for having faith in the world.

I really hope this helps!

Reading your writing, you may feel a bit stressed now. First place hasn't brought you much happiness, but it has become a heavy burden for you. You don't feel good about the praise from your classmates, but rather feel a bit inferior, and it has brought you pressure. It may make you feel a bit anxious, worried, and concerned about what will happen if you don't do well on the exam. But you can do it! You can do well on the exam! You can even do better than well. You can be the best! You can show your teacher and your classmates that you are the best. You can show them that you are capable of anything. You can show them that you are the best.

You may feel a little sad or even lonely when your good classmate is replaced. Many people only see your good side, but not your stress, sadness, grief, or anxiety. It would be great if someone could understand your burden and your pain at this time. Now that your good classmate is replaced, no one can understand you anymore—but you can!

I may not be the best, but I'm definitely not the worst! I'm just conscientious and hardworking. And that's a good thing, right?

I don't allow myself to make any mistakes. This may be the source of the problem! When you don't allow yourself to make mistakes, you may feel shame if you miss an assignment or oversleep. If you're caught daydreaming in class, you may feel ashamed.

But here's the thing: happiness has its own kind of joy. And how much you have of something comes from how much you satisfy your inner desires. So, what are your desires?

Is it to satisfy the expectations of your classmates, to be able to do everything? Not to make mistakes? To do things perfectly and to be on time?

I'm going to pour a bucket of cold water on you! You may have some inferiority complexes deep down, and that's okay! There's nothing wrong with having an inferiority complex. In fact, it can make you humble!

I really hope these suggestions are useful to you! First, allow yourself to make some mistakes. You shouldn't let a few minor mistakes make you doubt yourself.

If someone is running a marathon and falls over and hurts themselves, do you think they should lie on the ground for a while or get up and continue running? Absolutely not! Life is a marathon, and you still have a long way to go, with high school and university still to come.

So, you can't have been number one for such a long time, right? That's okay! You can try to allow yourself to make some mistakes, and tell yourself that even if you make a mistake, I'm still willing to forgive myself and still willing to give myself a chance.

Second, give yourself a break. You've made progress today, even if it's just a little, and that's something to celebrate!

And finally, don't be afraid to talk to the people around you and find someone who is willing to listen to you, such as a teacher or your old classmate.

I'm sure you will get better and better!

The world and I love you!

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Michael Michael A total of 1422 people have been helped

Hi, I'm Zeyu.

"My classmates think I'm amazing and know everything."

Your classmates' adulation and high expectations have made you avoid making mistakes. This is unfair to you.

Let's look at the "high expectations" and the classmates' praise of you. You are not "proud and complacent," but maintain a clear perspective on yourself, which is rare and valuable.

Your classmates admire you because they think you're a good student. They want you to be an excellent student too. They think they can't do it, so they project their expectations of an excellent student onto you.

This is the halo effect.

Your classmates have high expectations of you. You have accepted this and their definition of you. You feel that as a good student, you should not make mistakes. But no one is perfect.

Everyone makes mistakes. But to meet your classmates' expectations, you can't accept them. Biting your nails can relieve stress. It lets you relax and be yourself.

You don't have to worry about what your classmates think. Making mistakes is normal. Now relax, forget about what others think, and be yourself.

When you want to bite your nails, take a few deep breaths to calm down. Then, focus on the task at hand.

We hope you find this text helpful.

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Josephine Pearl Murray Josephine Pearl Murray A total of 7394 people have been helped

Dear child,

Hi, I'm Kelly, your friendly heart detective!

I've read your question a few times now, and I just wanted to say that you're so clever! You can identify problems and solve them, and you're also someone who thinks.

[About your studies]

Your teacher is really happy with you and your great grades! I totally agree with you that you work so hard and that's why you're doing so well.

I just love this little story!

A little mouse falls into a rice jar by accident.

It looks around, just to be sure, and then proceeds to enjoy its meal. After eating, it falls asleep.

After waking up, the mouse is ready to jump out of the rice container, but it just can't bear to give up the delicious white rice in front of it!

So the mouse ate and slept in the rice container, and woke up to eat again. Days passed by, one by one, until one day, when the rice container was empty, it realized that it could not jump out.

Oh, the poor mouse! Its fate was tragic, and it ended up starving to death.

Oh, that poor rat in the rice jar looks just like some children!

I really like this story because it makes me realise that there is a price to pay for all the comfort.

2: You are such a self-disciplined person! You have high expectations for them, and rightly so.

Let's get back to studying! It's time to change our thinking. Remember, your grades are related to your self-discipline, hard work, and diligence. Their "expectations" are just the scenery on your road to learning.

3: It's so important to remember that everyone is their own master. To reach their dreams, they need to put in the work and build up their resources before they can make a big splash. And it's only through perseverance that they can make a leap!

4: And don't forget to have some fun! Get out there and do some physical activities after class. And don't forget to relax! Work hard, play hard!

5: The school will find a few students who are super easy to get along with and who love to chat about their dreams and aspirations.

6: I really think you'd like to read the biography of Rogers and the Memoirs of Russell. They're both so inspiring!

[About your nail biting] It's totally normal to bite your nails sometimes! We've all been there.

1: I'm pushing myself too hard and I'm trying not to make any mistakes, but it's tough!

The teacher wants to say that if we keep trying, we will all get tired. And that's okay! When we make mistakes, it's not the mistake that's scary, it's the fact that we can't accept it.

As the wise ancients said, nobody's perfect, and being a perfectionist is hard work!

2: I got a little distracted in class the other day, and my teacher noticed.

It's actually really good for students to feel a little frustrated now and then. It helps to train your mind! And don't worry, being a little distracted won't affect your excellence.

3: I also forgot to write one side of the homework, silly me!

Just make up for it, apologize to the teacher with a big smile, and occasionally let yourself go a little. No big deal!

4: Furthermore, I've been sleeping too long at noon lately, and I'm usually about three or four minutes late.

It's so important to take a break when you're tired, and to get enough sleep so you can study well!

5: My very good classmate has been replaced by someone I don't really like. I'm feeling pretty down in the dumps, to be honest.

Oh, this is really sad. It just goes to show that you're a sentimental soul who values relationships.

Is your new classmate a test? Don't worry, it's okay to not like it now. Give it some time and you might just find that you like your classmate after all!

It's a great idea to turn it into a bonus!

I'm really struggling in class and I've been biting my nails a lot lately.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's totally normal to bite your nails.

Your body is sending you messages, sweetie. It's letting you know if you've been feeling anxious or insecure lately.

1: You can always talk to a good friend about your recent mood.

2: You know, you can always talk to your parents, if you want to.

3: If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's totally normal to want to talk to your parents or a professional. They're there to help you take a good look at your emotions and the causes of your psychological stress.

4: It's so important to check in with your parents to see how they're doing. Are they feeling stressed at home? Are they emotionally stable?

It's also a great idea to chat with your folks regularly and let them know how you're feeling about all the studying.

Hey there! I just wanted to check in and see if you've been experiencing any recent situations that have made you feel afraid.

1: For example, do you think that the teacher noticed you daydreaming? Have you ever worried about what other people might say about your behavior?

2: It's totally normal to worry about how you come across to others. We all do it!

You can always take a little time for yourself by writing down your thoughts in a diary. Or, if you prefer, you can simply tear up the page and have a little laugh with your teacher. It's all up to you!

2: You've always been excellent! Do you ever feel guilty about these things happening?

For example, do you ever feel like you've let your teachers and family down, like you can't "hurt" them after all the good they've done for you?

The teacher thinks you might have had some tough experiences recently. It's totally normal to feel pressured and to find ways to release that pressure. For example, you might bite your nails. But it's also important to recognize when you're repressing your emotions.

Once you understand, it'll be easier, I promise! These aren't problems, and it's so important to deal with your emotions as soon as you notice them.

Your teacher has a few tips for you:

1: Focus on yourself and remember that you're studying for yourself. Don't worry about what other people think. As long as you've tried your best, you're doing great!

2: It's so important to have hobbies outside of schoolwork! And if you like, you can come by and chat with us anytime.

3: Your teacher sees your recent stress and is happy to let you remember that you are an ordinary hardworking student.

4: I really appreciate your self-awareness. It's so great to see!

5: It's so important to communicate honestly with your parents, and you can also talk to a professional teacher if you need to.

6: Don't be a perfectionist, be the best, happiest, healthiest, and most confident version of yourself!

We'll be in touch if we have any questions.

I love you, and so does the world!

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Hazel Green Hazel Green A total of 4550 people have been helped

Hello, my child. I hug you and assure you that you are loved and supported. I am confident that my answer will help you.

Relax. We are good, and we know it. We are not perfect, and we are okay with that. We make mistakes, but we learn from them. Allowing yourself to make some omissions and to be less than perfect will help you be in a good state and have a higher learning efficiency. Your classmates think we are amazing and awesome, and they're right. We don't need to become awesome to meet their expectations. We need to become the person we want to be and be satisfied with ourselves. Chewing your fingers is a way to relieve anxiety and tension and make you feel safe, but it is not a particularly good method. We can also use other more reasonable ways to release our emotions.

My advice to you is this:

Embrace your imperfections and embrace mistakes. Being imperfect does not make you unworthy. We are all imperfect, but we can all become good and happy people with our imperfections.

You said you sometimes daydreamed in class and got caught by the teacher. You also forgot to write one side of the homework.

Furthermore, I recently overslept at noon and was late for class by three or four minutes. I was unhappy about it.

The person sitting next to me, with whom I had a great relationship, was replaced by someone I didn't particularly care for. I was quite depressed.

I don't feel good in class. We must accept that we cannot change everything. When we attach importance to things we dislike and refuse to accept them, we expend a lot of energy attacking and blaming ourselves. This affects our psychological state, which in turn affects our learning state and learning results.

Let's get one thing straight: nobody's perfect. Making mistakes is how we learn and grow. It's how we become more complete. So, we need to accept ourselves, not attack and blame ourselves. We should allow ourselves to make mistakes. Once we've made a mistake, it's not about blaming ourselves. It's about adjusting, changing, and preventing similar mistakes in the future. At the same time, we should find solutions to the problems we encounter. There are always more solutions than difficulties. As long as we're willing to find a solution, we'll find a way to solve the problem.

I used to be just like you. I had excellent grades, and I felt that I should do well in my studies. I was under the impression that my teachers, classmates, and family would like me if I did well in school. So when something went wrong in my studies, my mentality collapsed. I felt like I was finished, that no one would like me anymore. But that wasn't actually the case. They still liked me. I was the one who had attached too much importance to my studies and set too high a standard for myself. I was particularly tense because of this. But when I adjusted my mentality and began to accept myself, I saw that academic performance did not represent everything about me. I had a lot of value beyond my grades. Gradually, I became more relaxed in my studies. I set goals for myself that were no longer difficult, but matched my abilities. I became more motivated in my studies, and the results were better.

2. Stop denying yourself and start supporting yourself. Give yourself positive mental suggestions. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and your actions will reflect that. Take control of your life and your results will follow.

We must stop blaming ourselves and doubting our abilities. If we do, we'll fall into a vicious cycle of self-denial, which will hinder our learning. We must take responsibility for our actions and embrace our potential.

From now on, stop self-negation and self-attack. They will not benefit you, except to make you more and more anxious. Change self-negation to self-support. Give yourself positive mental suggestions. Tell yourself: One mistake does not mean I will make mistakes every time. One failure does not mean I will fail every time. Recent setbacks do not mean I will always be unsuccessful. I believe in myself. I believe I can learn what I need to learn. I believe I can enjoy the fun of learning instead of being troubled by the pressure of learning.

You must also set yourself reasonable goals for your studies and use them to guide your learning actions. Your goals must be ones that you can achieve through your own efforts, because research shows that only moderately difficult goals can best stimulate our internal motivation.

When you have a goal, encourage yourself, persevere in your actions, and complete the learning plan you have set for yourself. Once you have completed the learning task through your own efforts, don't be shy about praising yourself. Celebrate your dedication and hard work and feel the sense of accomplishment and joy you feel after working hard to achieve your goal.

We study hard and love to study because we want to experience the happiness and growth that learning brings us. We want to meet our own expectations and become a person who is satisfied with themselves and who they are. We want to use what we have learned to create value that is useful to society and contribute our strength to human society. We don't study to get praise from others or meet other people's expectations.

3. Finger-biting relieves anxiety and tension and makes us feel safe, but it's not a good method. We can use other, more reasonable ways to release our emotions.

We can feel your stress, but we don't tend to release our emotions in time.

Emotions are not suppressed, nor do they erupt. They must be channeled and released. Just as we need to eat every day to replenish our body's nutrients, we also need to supplement our mental nutrition through ways of channeling emotions, or methods that suit us and can help our inner selves become more harmonious and stable. These methods must become our lifestyle. Otherwise, our emotions will become blocked.

When you release your emotions, you will feel more at ease and learn more effectively.

We can and should release our emotions in the following ways:

Find the right friends to talk to. Find friends you are close to and trust, and go to them to talk about your worries and confusion. Make sure they are the right friends for you. They should be the ones who can give you support and encouragement, and the ones with whom you feel comfortable. You will find that, in fact, you

Find the right friends to talk to. Find friends you are close to and trust. Talk about your worries and confusion. It's important to emphasize the word "right." Look for friends who can give you support and encouragement. Look for friends with whom you feel comfortable. These are the right friends for you. You will find that what you are worried about is not necessarily true. They may not have high expectations of you. When you feel their support and understanding, their acceptance and affection for you, you will naturally feel relaxed.

Get moving! Do those sports you like, especially aerobic exercise. You'll relax and relieve stress during exercise.

Get moving! Do those sports you like, especially aerobic exercise. You can relax and release stress during exercise.

Writing is therapeutic. Write down all your feelings and thoughts on paper. Don't worry about whether your handwriting is neat and tidy, and don't pay attention to the logic of the content. Just go ahead and express yourself.

Write down all your feelings and thoughts on paper. Don't worry about whether your handwriting is clear and neat, or whether the content is logical. Just express your feelings.

Punch pillows and sandbags to release your anger by hitting soft objects.

Change your perception. What often causes anxiety and tension is not the event itself, but our perception of it, or our cognition. Adjust your perception and change your view of the event, and your emotions will be adjusted. Think making mistakes is normal? Think again. If you think making mistakes is normal, or even a good thing, that it can bring you growth and life experience, then you're wrong.

I am confident that the above will be helpful to you. Best regards!

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Comments

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Dick Thomas True learning occurs when we step out of our comfort zones.

I understand how you feel. It's tough when you set such high standards for yourself and sometimes it feels like you're not meeting them. Everyone has ups and downs, and it's okay to have moments where things don't go as planned.

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Gloria Anderson Life is a game of chance and choice.

Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves trying to live up to what others expect. It's important to remember that it's alright to make mistakes; they help us learn and grow stronger.

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Hastings Davis We grow through the pain, through the joy, through the everything.

It sounds like you've been really hard on yourself lately. Maybe it's time to take a step back and give yourself some credit for all the effort you've put in. You're doing great just by trying your best.

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Phyllis Anderson Growth is a journey of learning to see the growth that comes from being more patient with ourselves and others.

Feeling down is part of life, but so is getting back up. Have you considered talking to someone about the pressure you're feeling? Sometimes sharing your feelings can lighten the load and help you find solutions.

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Jesus Jackson The rewards of diligence are the smiles of satisfaction.

You mentioned biting your nails and having trouble smiling. These might be signs that you're under a lot of stress. Perhaps finding a way to relax or do something you enjoy could help ease the tension and bring back your smile.

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