Q: Even though it may be difficult, recognize that school is here to stay--for now. The downside is that you have to get through school, and that can make it seem like a terrible punishment. But, the positive is that school is not permanent, and once you're done you'll be in a position to see how good it was for you in the long run.  If you have thoughts about school, like how terrible it will be or how much you don’t want to go, remind yourself that there are good parts of school that you can see here and now.  For example, tell yourself, “oh c'mon, it’s not that bad—at school you get to see all your friends!” You can also try looking at school as a challenge. Your worry isn't coming from nowhere. After all, school really does present a challenge, and recognizing that will help you summon the strength and bravery that it takes to make it there. In order to boost your confidence so that you know you are ready to be successful in school, take some time to think about all the things you like about yourself. Write down all of your features and personality traits that you like--your eyes, for example, or your sense of humor. Continue to think about your positive traits, adding everything you are good at in school--maybe you're a modest biology whiz or an excellent speller. Then, add all of the things you have achieved to the list, including your talents, good things that you've done for others, and meaningful compliments that you have received.Keep your list close to you, as it will be a good resource. When you feel worried and don't quite know why, look at the list to remind yourself of how capable you are of getting through school. Chances are good that when you go to school you'll come into contact with people you really like...and others you're not so fond of. If you're concerned about being uncomfortable around schoolmates, arrive ready with a strategy that suits you. For example, if you're soft spoken and shy, be prepared to avoid talking and being around people who get you down. If you're outgoing, make it a point to stick close to friends who can buffer you from people you really can't stand.  Just make sure to do whatever you can to stop from reaching a boiling point, that point when you're so frustrated or angry at someone that you want to fight with either your words or your fists. As a rule of thumb, being polite and kind is a good plan. Even if you don't feel the other person deserves it, do what you can for the sake of a smooth school day. However, if a person or group makes you fear for your safety or your reputation, you may be a victim of bullying. If so, you should tell school officials who can help get the situation under control. Just a few words of encouragement will give you a greater sense of support. Write a fun note to yourself in the morning that will make you chuckle a bit and remind you not to worry too much about school. Make sure that the message of the note is positive, so don't write about not worrying, write about something separate from worry altogether.  The more personal the note is, the better. Write a little joke that you have with yourself, or reference something funny you've seen or done recently. Change the notes enough so that they don't lose their effect . To make school seem a little bit more fun, get involved in an activity that you like. Maybe you love to draw or sing, but these are things you do outside of school. By getting involved in a club or class that lets you do what you love, you can start to associate going to school with having a good time. Instead of worrying about tests, essays, and due dates, focus on how much you like the drama club you just joined or the art class that you're enrolled in. Spend time thinking about your future in order to make goals for school. It may not seem like life after classes exists, but thinking about how to get where you want to be after school can help you get motivated. Setting school-related goals will fill your Sundays with a sense of purpose, and maybe even excitement. But, make goals for yourself that are reasonable. Aim high, but don't bite off more than you can chew.  For example, if you're already pretty good at algebra, set a goal to secure an A in the class for the end of the semester. Make sub-goals so that you can have a short-term sense of achievement, too. Every time you ace an assignment or quiz, reward yourself for getting one step closer to your main goal.
A: Accept school. Make a list of positives. Prepare to see your peers. Write morning notes to yourself. Get involved in a cool extracurricular. Make goals for school.

Q: Take a few moments every day, and just pause. Sweep your gaze over your field of vision. Try to notice as many details as possible. This will train you to pay more attention to your surroundings.  Pay attention to the people, objects, animals, plants, and buildings around you. Try doing this in a different place every day. Start at home, then try it at an office, park, mall, grocery store, or a local landmark. Often, people only notice the large objects that surround them. As you go throughout your day, try to look for the smaller details that might surround buildings, landmarks, and large spaces.  For example, you might be at a store. What does the sign say? Is there anything on the windows? How many carts are lined up outside? If you're walking through a neighborhood, you might study the different mailboxes, lawn ornaments, plants, or toys out in the yard. It is easy to become distracted by electronics, intrusive thoughts, or noisy environments, but these can make you less observant. Rather than tune out your surroundings, try to focus on where you are in the moment.  Instead of listening to music on your commute, describe your surroundings. On the bus, you might notice that there are five people on it, that the bus is making a rumbling noise, and that there is a musty smell. When you take a walk, listen to the sounds of nature, such as birds singing or the wind rustling through the trees. Think about how the sun feels on your skin or how brightly colored the flowers are. Do this throughout your day as you notice things. This will keep you observant in the moment. Write your observations in a journal or word document. Try to be as specific as possible.  What did you see? Was it a certain color, size, or shape? Where was the object? How it was placed in relation to other objects? What kinds of sounds were going on around you? What types of sensations did you feel? Who was there? What were they wearing? What were they doing? When you're trying to observe something, try to identify how many of them there are. These numbers will force to you to pay more attention to the size or quantity of objects. As time goes on, you may be able to count objects more quickly.  For example, instead of “I saw some kids playing outside,” you might write, “I saw four kids playing outside with one ball.” Instead of saying "I had to sign a bunch of documents," keep track of what you did. You might observe that you signed your name four different times on two different documents.
A:
Stop to observe everything around you. Pay attention to small details. Stay in the present moment. Write down everything that you notice on a daily basis. Quantify everything you notice.