A couple of weeks in, and I would say I am used to this new lifestyle. Although I see no friends throughout the day, other than my fellow “inmates”, I have slowly started to understand what a friend is.  Working through this alone is not such an easy thing to do. Although there are constantly adults and DAEP counselors to talk to, the only people that understand my generation is in fact my own generation.

15 days ago I thought I had it all figured out, school was going to be easy to slide through and this constant arguing over grades with my parents was simply natural.  But since I was put in this classroom, I have realized why my parents were so upset. With the slightest focus and some drive to get things done, I have already brought every single grade up from where it was, some even 20-30 points higher.  DAEP has shown me that I have had the ability but that was hidden behind a messed up list of priorities.

Adults may not understand everything in the mind of a teenager, but what they do know is that  success in school requires attention and effort.  Fair-weather friends, they come in all shapes and sizes, are those that are only there when they need something or when things are going good.   However, my time in DAEP has shown me that my life was littered with these so-called friends.  Fortunately, I have realized the difference between these people and my real friends and it’s better I learn this at an early age.

But perhaps the greatest thing I have found here is a respect for my teachers. These people are not here to make my life some horrible experience that involves hours slaving over homework. These are simply people who have an interest in us and setting us up for a successful future. That is genuine, and I have come to find teachers are some of the few that do not judge me.

One of the DAEP supervisors has told me that there is an overlap in life. One in which the tables turn and you become the one who needs patience with your parents, not the other way around. As you get older and become more independent, sometimes you can be right and your parents wrong.

The thing is, often your parents didn’t yell at you when you were wrong about something as a child. They simply offered you patience and understanding.  Although as you get older and you may know you’re right in certain circumstances, you must be patient and offer your parents exactly what they offered you.  As a teenager I have lived life with blinders on, disregarding everyone with good in their heart and the lessons I’ve learned here in a classroom of silence are some of the greatest lessons I could have ever learned.

So here’s my advice.  Give school a little effort.  Maybe even set your phone down in class. Because in this world you, respect is usually earned, but us teenagers often disregard the ones (parents and teachers) that offer it to us from the beginning.  I have now spent 3 weeks in DAEP, and my perception of people has changed dramatically. I honestly cannot wait to see what the next 5 weeks hold for me.