Have you ever wondered why we need school counselors No? Well, I have. Growing up, I watched American movies that every time they showed a school, a school counsellor was involved.

I would ask myself, but why? I mean, a school is where learners meet up, socialise and get scolded by teachers the whole day. 

It was when I went to high school that I realised something. I need a counsellor. This shocked me because I’ve never considered myself having personal problems or anything like that. 

Puberty kicked in, and I realised that one needs a helping hand. One needs others. 

If you’re African, actually let me say black. If you’re black, you know that once you hit 13 years old, you’re no longer regarded as a child. All the chores are no longer a test of your strength. They are your duty. It’s overwhelming and kind of ruins your life.

Okay, when I started high school everything just came to me like a tsunami. Chores, responsibilities, changing physical appearance, social life, relationships, the list goes on and on and on.

I eventually broke down in grade 9 and started having panic attacks, memory loss, and losing my mind. In grade 10, I moved to a new school in another province. That’s when it came to me that I’m not alone. People are suffering out here. 

This new school has a counsellor, and even though I haven’t gone to see her yet, I feel secure already. 2 of my friends have gone to her and passed on her advice to me. I really appreciate her. 

This experience has also made me see that our parents’ past mistakes have a significant effect on us. It’s kind of like the butterfly effect. Take me, for example, my dad ran away before I was born, and my mom left me at four years old to find work. Now 16 years later, I live with her, my stepdad and my siblings. It’s hard because for 16 years, I was the only child living with my grandma.

Now I’m someone’s big sister. Or more like some people’s big sister. It’s a huge responsibility and trusts me; I’m messing up big time. I’m breaking up all the time, and the emotional damage is taking its toll on me. I guess people knew that this was going to happen. 

That’s why we have school counsellors — strangers who want to know your problems and care about you. No strings attached. Speaking of which, I think I should see her. 

To anyone reading this, don’t let the stress throw you off. We weren’t given a manual. Just wing it, my darling.