School Poem

Poem About Failing At School

This poem is very personal to me because it conveys the feelings I felt during high school. I think other teenagers can relate to this because schools nowadays have such high expectations that people can so easily feel like they have disappointed people.

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The worst thing is how a child believes that the place they are at school is where they will always be. We need to teach our children to become unstuck as it is important for life. Do...

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Life Is Tough

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Published by Family Friend Poems August 2015 with permission of the Author.

Life is tough--that's what they say,
But they don't know what it's like every day
To wake up in the morning and go to school,
Just so people can test you and prove you're a fool.

The teacher says you obviously didn't try,
But they don't know you go to your room and cry.
You did put in effort, you did your part;
They just don't understand you're not that smart.

Then comes the pressure from your mum and dad
Who are so clearly disappointed that your grades are bad.
You are punished and picked on for the rest of the year,
Because you finally gave up on the future career

That was once so close, but is now so distant.
However, your teachers and parents are still insistent.
It's hard enough getting up and going to class
Without the pressure and expectation that you have to pass.

The worst part, however, is not that you're a disappointment.
It's the permanent, never-ending embarrassment
Of always failing and coming last,
Of never being good enough, your confidence dropping fast.

Everyone else seems to be doing just fine.
Their parents are all proud, unlike mine.
Honestly, I can't think of a worse place than this,
When in reality it's made out to be somewhere we should miss.

I won't miss it; I'll be glad to leave.
Five years wasted because failure is all I ever received.
I know it's my fault and that I'm the one to blame.
I gave up so early on because I was ashamed.

To my family, I'm a failure, and I'm a failure to myself.
Everyone's high expectations only damaged my metal health.
If I ever have kids I will always try
To make sure the fear of failure is not the reason they ever cry.

People need to understand school's no longer fun or good,
'Cause some of us don't fit in, although we wish we could.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Suzanne. Moen by Suzanne. Moen
  • 5 years ago

The worst thing is how a child believes that the place they are at school is where they will always be. We need to teach our children to become unstuck as it is important for life. Do everything we can to identify with teachers our children's unique learning style, and true gifts can be revealed.

  • DGS by DGS
  • 5 years ago

That story is basically me at school. Sad but a reality.

  • Jignesh Shah by Jignesh Shah
  • 5 years ago

Excellent poem. I liked the lines, "If I have ever kids I will always try to make sure the fear of failure is not the reason they ever cry." We can see how in the past she has suffered, and hence, she does not want to make history repeat itself! Great courage through experience!

  • Anonymous by Anonymous
  • 5 years ago

Made me cry. This is what I feel like every day going to school.

  • Aidan by Aidan
  • 5 years ago

I have to say. I don't fit in at school. No one treats me like I am there. I am in everyone's shadow. I love this poem. Just like Tyler said, "This is the story of my life."

  • Tyler by Tyler
  • 6 years ago

This sounds like the story of my life.

  • Momo Long by Momo Long
  • 7 years ago

Best poem I've ever read. Very strong and vibrant, although sad at the same time.

  • YT by YT
  • 8 years ago

Great poem! Flawless, fabulous and fantastic! You have a way with words and I appreciate your valuable, original contribution to the controversy revolving around this website and school as a whole. Nice job overall!

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