Ryborg, I'm 18, this fall entering college, and was in the same situation as you during my junior high years and early high school years; and in some aspects, even now. Then, I couldn't cope with it, and was so frustrated with it, along with the fact that I thought the problem with was me, and not them, I was put on medication for depression and anxiety.
A Few things that helped me:
- get involved in extracurriculars and take honors classes [if possible]: granted, there will still be some immature and callow kids in the clubs and harder classes, but you can and will find a better crowd to hang out with. There were quite a few friendships that I've killed in the past, because I realized that I moved on and that they didn't. [In fact, I'm dealing with one of those right now]. Even though you might even live with these immature kids in the dorms, try to do your best to separate yourself from them, but at the same time, keep them open if they do happen to change [and once in a while, a kid will change, so don't burn bridges. By this last sentence, I mean - don't completely ignore them, nor treat them like a 2 year old.
You just realize that certain people have certain coping mechanisms and stress relievers to take them away from the daily grind of work and school: some more refined than others.
And with regard to the others' responses: remember that at our age, those experiences [like spontaneiously going to safeway @ 2 am] are damned good memories, and we can only experience them at our age, due to the lack of commitments and responsiblities that we have. Recently, I've questioned if my medicene has made me become a less spontaneous, creative person....
For me, they [some of my random moments] were going to random ice cream parlors in europe last summer and just walking around coventry and tremont [cleveland] with my friends. [I hope they continue this fall too and beyond]. I feel sometimes, too, when I have free time randomly, to do something like go to see a comedic play, visit the other side of town, go to a cheap concert by indie/local act or something else, but none of my friends feel like joining, at the same time, I don't want to go alone...
- At work, keep on what you're doing, and make your known that you take this job seriously through your actions. I work at the movie theater with a bunch of other kids my age [some are mature, some aren't]. Eventually, coworkers and your boss[es] will see your actions, and respect for you it. For me, it took over a 1.5 years for that. Just last week, a co-worker [my age] sincerely complimented me for being one of the few kids who don't half-ass that much and actually give a shit about their job; and even sincerely asked me why I put that much effort, but I didn't know what response to give him. Reading
'What Would Buddah Do at Work ?' [book] encouraged me to be more patient and develop a better work attitude; I recommend it.
Even though I realize that every school has its parties, what college do you currently attend ? Check into how feasible it would be to see if there's another college that you could transfer to, that promotes an atmosphere more to your liking.
Catcha back on the flipside,
will.