School Experiences: Overcoming Challenges

Abstract

There is no universal experience of school, and no one is likely to have an easy time at school all of the time. Young people face many challenges in and out of school, and there is significant variation in what those challenges are and who experiences them. One thing many young people agree on however is that having friends and ‘fitting in’ are key factors in the experience of school – anyone who is seen as not fitting in or is in any way ‘different’ becomes a target for bullying. Friendships are protective against bullying – having friends means that you are less likely to stand out from the crowd, and friends can stand up to bullies. Our young people have good ideas about how to make school a more inclusive place to support those students who are having a tough time. It is important that initiatives to increase school engagement focus not only on learning and achievement but also students’ experiences in order to make school a positive place to be.