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Need time off for stress and anxiety at school

so I've just started my A levels and i never once expected it to be easy but I thought I'd actually be able to keep control over my stress and anxiety which I'm on medication for but I can't.

long story short, can I get a sick note from my GP explaining that I need time off due to this? I don't want to put an actual length of time, there will be times when i need to go in for a lesson or two but that'll be about it.

Can I go to the GP about this myself? and if they give me a sick note how do I tell the school? Do my parents have to do that or can I do it?

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Original post by Anonymous
so I've just started my A levels and i never once expected it to be easy but I thought I'd actually be able to keep control over my stress and anxiety which I'm on medication for but I can't.

long story short, can I get a sick note from my GP explaining that I need time off due to this? I don't want to put an actual length of time, there will be times when i need to go in for a lesson or two but that'll be about it.

Can I go to the GP about this myself? and if they give me a sick note how do I tell the school? Do my parents have to do that or can I do it?


Firstly, if you're struggling with your a-levels already, time off isn't going to help you. You need to be in class and school to get support from teachers and actually understand the content of the course for your exams.

I'm assuming you're 16/17, so no you can't do this yourself, your parents will have to speak with the school and I doubt the GP will happily write you a note to allow you time off school due to mental health, he/she will either recommend coping techniques, therapy and if that doesn't work, later on medication.

As harsh as it sounds, you're going to have to suck it up. I did a-levels and have never been so depressed and stressed in my entire life, but if you can't even handle the first half term of a-levels and it's noted you took time off because you were struggling, uni's & employers won't be too keen in taking you on.

Speak with your parents, until your 18, they make 99% of all your decisions for you, but in the meantime, get your head in those books and ask for help from teachers when you need it. Good luck!
Reply 2
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Dylan78
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I would suggest speaking to teachers. Especially your head of year. As if they know what you are going through they can provide some help.

Also, at age 16/17 you can go to the GP yourself so they may write you a note.... Not for time out of school but time out of lessons if it gets to be too much
Reply 3
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Anonymous #1
OP
I was thinking that the school could provide me with the work and I could do it at home. I don't want to drop my A levels but I think I need to be away from school because it's getting far too stressful especially feeling insecure with other classmates saying how easy everything is when it's really not.

there was this person a few years ago at my school who had time off due to some kind of depression and stress so I think they should allow me it I get the GP involved
Original post by Anonymous
I was thinking that the school could provide me with the work and I could do it at home. I don't want to drop my A levels but I think I need to be away from school because it's getting far too stressful especially feeling insecure with other classmates saying how easy everything is when it's really not.

there was this person a few years ago at my school who had time off due to some kind of depression and stress so I think they should allow me it I get the GP involved


Yeah but did they do as well in their exams? Where they doing A-Levels or not?

Honestly this will make it worse as you cannot ask the teacher for help etc. And you will be even more stressed if you don't understand something and there is no way of finding out what it means etc.
Reply 5
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Anonymous #1
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Original post by cc85734
Yeah but did they do as well in their exams? Where they doing A-Levels or not?

Honestly this will make it worse as you cannot ask the teacher for help etc. And you will be even more stressed if you don't understand something and there is no way of finding out what it means etc.


yes he got like an ABB in his A levels. I honestly don't know what to do everytime I'm there I can't wait to get out and go home even as I type this now I'm stressed at the thought of school on Monday
Reply 6
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Dylan78
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Original post by Anonymous
I was thinking that the school could provide me with the work and I could do it at home. I don't want to drop my A levels but I think I need to be away from school because it's getting far too stressful especially feeling insecure with other classmates saying how easy everything is when it's really not.

there was this person a few years ago at my school who had time off due to some kind of depression and stress so I think they should allow me it I get the GP involved


Honestly ask the school and if they say no take the time off anyways. Keep up with the work. Things could get worse if you keep feeling like you do
Reply 7
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Anonymous #1
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Original post by Dylan78
Honestly ask the school and if they say no take the time off anyways. Keep up with the work. Things could get worse if you keep feeling like you do


I've never been so anxious in my life, we have class tests all next week and I am dreading them. they honestly treat them like they're the real exams
Reply 8
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Dylan78
4
Original post by Anonymous
I've never been so anxious in my life, we have class tests all next week and I am dreading them. they honestly treat them like they're the real exams


I know. My school does the exact same and it really does stuck and in my eyes you either power through or take time off. I took time off and it helped me refocus and panic less it may be an option for you
Original post by Anonymous
I've never been so anxious in my life, we have class tests all next week and I am dreading them. they honestly treat them like they're the real exams


What about A levels stress you out so much? Also what happens if you don’t understand a topic at home? How will you learn it?
Original post by Eva.Gregoria
What about A levels stress you out so much? Also what happens if you don’t understand a topic at home? How will you learn it?


everything really lol. I just feel like I'm so far behind already and i just feel that teachers aren't instructing me what to do properly. I'm probably just nervous in general about them and all that added is making me 10x worse because I really want to go uni and I'd really be depressed if I didn't get to go
Original post by Dylan78
I know. My school does the exact same and it really does stuck and in my eyes you either power through or take time off. I took time off and it helped me refocus and panic less it may be an option for you


did you ask for time off or did you just not go in if you don't mind me asking? it's just I'd be worried that they'll kick me out for poor attendance if I just don't turn up but when I say that there was a person in my year who's attendance was about 30% whilst doing GCSEs
Original post by Anonymous
everything really lol. I just feel like I'm so far behind already and i just feel that teachers aren't instructing me what to do properly. I'm probably just nervous in general about them and all that added is making me 10x worse because I really want to go uni and I'd really be depressed if I didn't get to go


This is very common, you’re not the only one struggling. If you struggle in silence, you will end up in a far worse position and no one will offer you any help. You need to inform a teacher or mentor so they can know how best to help you.

You didn’t answer my second question, what happens when you don’t understand a topic? That is 100% guaranteed to happen.
Original post by Eva.Gregoria
This is very common, you’re not the only one struggling. If you struggle in silence, you will end up in a far worse position and no one will offer you any help. You need to inform a teacher or mentor so they can know how best to help you.

You didn’t answer my second question, what happens when you don’t understand a topic? That is 100% guaranteed to happen.


I've told them i was stressed and they know that I get stressed easily as I did during my GCSEs and I still managed to do okay in them. I haven't told them the full extent, yes they did say to tell them at any time no matter how small but I don't want to, I don't want them thinking I moan at every single thing but that's not me, I chose to return to school after my compulsory education ended in June because I want to do well and become a teacher when I'm older and i want to be in school but I just feel that im better working from home until I feel that I can go to school.

and i know you're right about the topics thing, I honestly don't know what to do
Reply 14
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Dylan78
4
Original post by Anonymous
did you ask for time off or did you just not go in if you don't mind me asking? it's just I'd be worried that they'll kick me out for poor attendance if I just don't turn up but when I say that there was a person in my year who's attendance was about 30% whilst doing GCSEs


I asked for time off. Teachers are more understanding than most people give them credit for
Original post by Dylan78
I asked for time off. Teachers are more understanding than most people give them credit for


I think im going to have to ask for time off too. Was there a long process when you asked or did they allow you off quite quickly?
Reply 16
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Dylan78
4
Original post by Anonymous
I think im going to have to ask for time off too. Was there a long process when you asked or did they allow you off quite quickly?


It was quick and easy
Original post by Dylan78
It was quick and easy

I think I'll go to my head of year tomorrow but I'm worried she'll make a big fuss and start ringing my parents as if I'm talking rubbish
Original post by Anonymous
everything really lol. I just feel like I'm so far behind already and i just feel that teachers aren't instructing me what to do properly. I'm probably just nervous in general about them and all that added is making me 10x worse because I really want to go uni and I'd really be depressed if I didn't get to go


How are you going to cope at university if you want time off during the first few weeks of A-levels?

The workload at uni will be 100 times higher, and loads harder. Plus, there’s no one checking up on you, unlike school, so you could very easily miss all your lectures and seminars, fall far behind on your course, and no one will care.
Can I ask whether you have a statement or Individual Education Plan in place? Are you classed as a student with additional needs due to your mental health and anxiety?

Even if you do not have the above, it maybe worth asking for an appointment with the school SENCO or a councellor of some kind so you can go through your issues and they can explain the options available to you. This is preferable to simply walking into your Head of Year with a ready made solution coming from you personally.

As for a GP, aged 16 and over you have the right to a private visit without informing parents and the GP will respect this. Explain the problems you are having and perhaps request to see a specialist who can ascertain whether you have an anxiety disorder or another MH problem.

If your issues are ongoing for many years you need help to overcome them, but school mostly offer help such as doing work in a quiet room, extra time to hand work in etc when a formal diagnosis has been made and is documented by your GP. If your issues are getting worse, then you need to see what the underlying problem is.

Hope this helps you.

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