If you’re not coping with the workload, ask for help. Wendy is scared to admit she has a problem, but the longer she ignores it the worse it will get. The teachers are there to help you, but they can’t do that unless you tell them you’re struggling! Often, teachers can work out why things are difficult and offer support, extra classes, or even suggest a change of group where the work is more on your level.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re stupid – just the opposite. You’re smart enough to know there’s a problem and to get some expert help on side to sort it!

Jessica’s problem is one I really identify with. I too hated maths, especially in secondary school. I struggled with every maths homework, bombed in every test and cried at home over some especially challenging topics. My teachers often wrote ‘See me’ in red pen at the bottom of my workbooks, but I never did because I was scared that meant I was in trouble. I realize now they were only trying to help me!

I was very lucky – with support at home and a very patient teacher, I scraped a pass in my final maths exam. I’m glad I did, because like it or not, maths is one of the most important subjects to have under your belt… it can open a lot of doors.

I’m still not confident with numbers. I recently met a maths teacher at a party who told me that with the right attitude and the right teacher, everyone can learn maths. I think he’s probably right. Jessica should jump at the chance to get some private maths tuition – a different approach to the subject could make it a whole lot less scary. She should also tell her teachers at school she needs more support.

My last piece of advice for Jessica? Try to turn your attitude around and believe that you can do maths… labelling yourself as rubbish at something is one sure-fire way to make sure you will be. I wish I’d known that when I was twelve… it could have saved me a lot of heartache.

Cathy

I’ve just started high school and I get quite a bit of homework, but there’s nowhere quiet for me to do it. The TV is always on downstairs and I share a room with my sister, and she never gives me any peace. Nightmare!

Naseem, age 11

Dear Cathy

I am not very organized with my homework. I always think I have loads of time to get it done, but then I forget and end up trying to do it at the bus stop before school. I’m always in trouble because of this.

Lyddi, age 11

Homework… you work hard at school, and then they expect you to do more at home too? Well, yes, ’fraid so. Homework is the best way ever of making sure you’ve understood something properly, of practising a difficult skill or task and fixing the facts firmly in your mind. It also teaches you how to work under your own steam, and this gets more and more important as you get older.