The start

School was a chapter of my life that left an indelible mark on me, not always in the ways I hoped. From the moment I first walked into the classroom, I was terrified and scared. There were about 20 people looking up at me, and I felt frozen under their gaze. I hid behind my mother until she left the building, clinging to her as though she was the only shield I had against the overwhelming new world before me.

Adjusting 

The early days were full of confusion and adjustment. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the noise, the number of people, and the endless rules. For someone like me, who always thrived in calm and order, the bustling environment of school was a shock to my system. I would often find myself longing for the quietness of home, where I could think clearly without the constant hum of chatter and the pressure to always be on top of things.

Friends

As the years went by, I started to notice patterns in how I felt about school. Learning itself was never the issue—I loved diving into books, exploring new ideas, and understanding how things worked. It was the social aspect that drained me. Early on, when I first joined school, I realised something important: I didn’t want a big group of friends. I just wanted at least one friend who would listen to me, be there when I needed them, and help me when things felt overwhelming. That kind of friendship mattered far more to me than fitting in with a crowd.

The categories people put people in

I also learned that I didn’t mind not fitting into a category of “normal” or being a more sporty person. As long as my differences didn’t make people bully me or treat me unfairly, I didn’t care about not fitting into the usual mould.

Bullying

I did have some general friends early on, but they were often rude to me and bullied me by calling me names. On top of that, a pair of older students were incredibly mean, using cruel names to target me. Over time, more students joined in, and the bullying became a regular part of my school life. It felt relentless, and I often questioned why I seemed to be the target.

The end of bullying?

The bullying eased as I left Year 3. Many of the older students who had tormented me had left, and those early friends who had been rude stopped as well. By the time I reached this point, only one or two of those unkind people remained, but they too had stopped their behaviour. Even though the bullying subsided, the impact of those early experiences stayed with me, shaping how I viewed myself and my place in the world.

Moving to secondary school

When I moved into secondary school, I did make new friends, but even then, some of them called me names, made fun of my height, and compared me to famous people with the same name. It wasn’t easy, but I stuck to the lesson I’d learned early on: I didn’t care how many friends I had, as long as I had at least one person who truly listened to me and stood by my side.

Pressure

One of the hardest parts of school was the pressure to fit into a mould. It felt like there was a very narrow definition of what it meant to be “normal” or “cool,” and I didn’t fit into it. I wasn’t the sporty type, nor was I the class clown or the star student. I was just me, and it often felt like that wasn’t enough. Teachers would sometimes praise my academic efforts, but the social world of school was an entirely different beast—one that seemed impossible to conquer.

Kindness

There were moments of light, though. A kind teacher who noticed my struggles and offered a listening ear. A classmate who, even briefly, showed me kindness and reminded me that not everyone was unkind. These small moments meant the world to me and gave me a glimmer of hope on days when I felt like giving up.

Resilience

Despite the challenges, school taught me resilience. I learned how to endure uncomfortable situations, how to find joy in the little things, and how to carve out my own space in a world that often felt overwhelming. Over time, I discovered that my worth wasn’t tied to how many friends I had or how well I fit into societal expectations. It was okay to be different, to march to the beat of my own drum, and to prioritise my own well-being over the need to please others.

Results

Looking back, I realise that my experiences in school shaped the person I am today. They taught me empathy for others who might feel out of place or overlooked. They gave me a deep appreciation for authenticity and the courage it takes to be yourself in a world that often tries to box you in. And they instilled in me a passion for creating spaces where people can feel seen, heard, and valued.

My message

If there’s one message I want to share with anyone who might be struggling in school, it’s this: You are not alone. It’s okay to feel out of place, to struggle, and to question where you belong. These feelings don’t define you—they’re just part of your journey. Reach out to those who make you feel safe, whether it’s a teacher, a friend, or a family member. And remember, it’s okay to step away from things that drain you and focus on what brings you joy and peace.

Home education

For me, stepping away from traditional schooling was a turning point. It gave me the freedom to learn in a way that suited me, to explore my interests without the constant pressure of fitting in, and to heal from the emotional toll of those challenging years. It was a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all path in life, and that it’s okay to take a different route if it means finding your happiness and fulfilment.

Chapters of life

Now, as I work on creating my website and sharing my experiences, I hope to provide a sense of community and understanding for others who might be walking a similar path. School doesn’t define your worth or your future. It’s just one chapter, and there are so many more to come—chapters where you get to write your own story, choose your own path, and discover the incredible person you’re meant to