Grade 7 Eden: 2017

Life as a teenager – Jasmine Paul

Life as a teenager isn't easy at all...

We stare in the mirror wishing to be someone different when we're all unique

We're still learning and trying to understand life.

We make mistakes which can only be forgiven, regretted but never forgotten.

We fight over stupid matters which could have been avoided.

We criticise but don't like being criticised.

We hate people without knowing their stories.

We get misunderstood, people only understand from their level of perception.

Our minds and our hearts are always fighting and rarely do our hearts win.

We take drastic steps without thinking and realising what damage it does.

We are underestimated just because we are still “children”.

When at our age its finding yourselves.

We are all dreamers

And all want to achieve something.

Goodmorning everyone.

In my 10 years at Eden, about 7 of those have been spent with Grade 7s. So I think I’ve gotten to know this age pretty well...which will hopefully help me to be more understanding of my own children as they get to this stage in their life.

Because adults I think, forget what it was like to be teenager and how to deal with the behaviour and moodswings. Parents become confused and fear them; teachers get annoyed with them and every day seems like a battle. Let me tell you...the battle has just begun. Your sweet, angelic child who may have just turned 13 and might not be a problem yet...has another 6 years to go!!

So maybe we need to just sometimes, take a step back and think about what they are going through and try in the far back of your mind, try and remember what it was like for you as a teen. You’re always tired – afternoon naps were the best – especially when studying for exams; girls are usually emotional – boys are hormonal too. New things are happening to your body and horrible bumps appear out of nowhere all over your face. You are sensitive about everything and no one understands! In fact, even though adults endure everything from work problems to debt, no period of your life comes close to being as difficult as your teenage years.

So this morning...My name is Mrs Williams and I speak for the Teens

Everything is changing both physically and emotionally and yet they are thrust in to the most intense situations of their young lifes, discovering heartbreak, anxiety, low self esteem and peer pressure along the way. In defence of all teenagers out there, here’s the proof that those of us who have emerged out of the other side should be far more understanding of them.

There are huge expectations

Get straight A’s in matric and get into a good University or your life is over! The terror of failing and facing a bleak future of no income and no pride results in sleepless nights and serious spells of anxiety

Hormones and puberty While this pressure mounts against them to do well, their bodies are trolling them. One minute they're angry, the next they’re tearful and you just don’t know why. Teenagers aren’t awkward and confrontational by choice, even if they are treated that way. Our good friend science has proven that mood swings are a biological part of growing up.

And as their emotions take on that rollercoaster ride, they’re sprouting pus filled blimps on their faces, gaining and shedding puppy fat from nowhere, growing hair in strange places, smelling quite pungent from their armpits and girls have to deal with their own set of problems

Bullying

Fellow teenagers can be so cruel. Bullying goes on at all ages and in all locations but the intensity of it during school years can be seriously traumatic and there are very few people that escape those years without falling victim to it. With peer pressure forcing you to conform to standards and hobbies or face a backlash, teenage life is a minefield.

Add in the social media factor and it’s difficult to get through youth without being scarred by bullies

And then there is ‘Love’

That first love is just agony – and nothing else from school to family matters once their heart has decided to launch itself at someone. Longing for someone takes over their lives and they think they’ll never love someone so intensely again. When that first relationship breaks down you just want to give up on life

Independence and privacy

They get told to act more mature but they still tend to get treated like a child. While a lot of the mollycoddling is necessary, there is a distinct lack of privacy for teenagers who are desperate to assert and enjoy some independence.

So lets cut the teenagers some slack please and stop moaning about them all the time. They have a lot to deal with.

The Grade 7s of 2017...have said – we must be your worst class ever..you wont miss us...but of course i will. I love all the children I teach like my own – yes there are those that test your patience, or get into trouble a lot but that doesn’t mean I wont miss them. I must say at least I have been pretty entertained this year. I myself am guilty of saying they are so childish or immature..but is that a huge problem? Let them enjoy themselves for as long as they can...they won’t be children forever. As Mrs Carini pointed out to me one day – the Grade 7s are always happy...yes they are loud but they are just happy and glad to be here...and if thats the case then that makes me happy too.

Now they have been hounding me from the first day...what their end of year story is going to be...what am I going to say = no pressure!! So here it goes....please excuse my poor accents.

Picture this: You walk into your classroom in the morning....its silent....all the children are in their seats reading a book or finishing off work....no nonsense taking place at all. Well that is exactly the opposite of how I would describe my class.

A day in the life of 7W 2017 goes something more like:

Mrs Williams enters the classroom – Hellllo Mrs Williams – shouts Jasmine

You look so lovely today Mrs Williams – thanks Annabelle

Mrs Williams can I help you with something – no its fine thanks – actually please write on the board to remember to return forms by tomorrow – thanks Jordan

Mrs Williams here is my diary – theres a letter from my mom. Ok thanks Keshme – you are the only one who still hands in their diary every day....well done.

A loud bang somewhere from the back – Viday – get off the shelf! Sorry Mrs Williams.

Yes I know you’re an acrobat but if that shelf falls on top of you whose going to be in trouble?

What was that noise?? Nickyle? I never do nothing Mrs Williams. Ok Nickyle then what did you do if you did nothing? Huh?

Rivan? No I was just trying to figure out how this thing works and I mistakely dropped it.

Well sort out this mess. Where are you going? To get a broom from Goodness.

Mrs Williams...whats the time? I dont know – get a watch Kannon. How many more minutes till the end of the lesson? Kannon- the lesson hasn’t even started yet!

Oh – well can I quickly go and ask Mr Mack something?

Just sit down please. Now I’ve marked everyones essays and I’m still missing marks. Do you think I feel like marking all the time!

Uzziel? Wheres yours – uh I can I hand it in tomorrow Mrs Williams. I'll bring you 1 cupcake

Wandile? Uhm its here somewhere....(and she pretends to look in her bag.)

Daniel? Uhm Mrs Williams – funny story – uhm my dog actually ate my homework

Samir? Uh im pretty sure I handed it in? Yours must be the one without a name then

Let me just check....mmmm yup thats definitely mine

Where is my black pen?? Whole class shouts....SYUN!!! Not only does Syun like collecting other peoples stationery apparently – he will always be the one to eat more than 2 cupcakes or chocolates at birthday times – although looking at him you would never say so.

Njabu are you with us or are you still on the soccer field? “I love soccer – I love soccer” Hmm what? Nooo I’m focused.

Ok.

Mrs Williams can i go to toilet and drink some watert? Yes Uzziel go to the toilet.

Mrs Williams!!! Watch this please! Come Karu – coming! (Jasmine and Karuna spontaneously dancing is the norm – followed by a lot of giggling from Karuna)

Kala Tashma, Kala Tashma!

Come Diya! Karuna shouts

No ways, you guys are so embarrassing – like Indian music is just not cool guys – not cool

Mrs Willyams – I think I’m dying. Is it possible to die from embarrassment – I think it is.

Uhhm pretty sure its not.

Really! Have you seen the car I come to school in Mrs Willyams.

Ok well maybe I see your point

What – ok thats fine them we’ll all just die and haunt you forever.

Wonderful.

Guys! All I want is just 5 minutes to read my book in peace!

Sorry Wandi – you know I’m just weird

Andi!! No, leave me im busy. Nothing comes between me and my pizza! Like you don’t even know, I will kill for this pizza – its just, not gonna happen

Another loud bang

WHAT NOW! Nickyle! I never do nothing

Uzziel? It wasn’t me

Rivan? No it wasn’t me this time, I think it was Brady

Hey shut your mouth

Brady! Sorry Mrs Williams

What are you doing? I told you not to practice your bowling skills in the classroom!

Karsten? Whats happening with the hair? One day red, then purple, now blue? Whats next?

I think I wanna make it white

Oh my word

Why can’t you all just be quiet like Serini! She’s either reading her book or writing beautiful poems.

Life would be boring without us though Mrs Williams isn’t! What is that awful sound? Viday! Will you stop singing please!

The bell! Finally. Has everyone cleaned up their area?
Kannon! Pick that paper up. This row can go – Wandile! Tidy your area. And where is your essay – um...scratches in her bag again. Njabulo! I love soccer – yes? I love soccer – your area! Right the rest can go. Bye Mrs Williams!!

Hello Mrs Saayman!!! Loud cackling and high fiving from Nickyle and Uzziel – can’t imitate it – its too weird

The door closes – and silence at last.