DR. WALLACE: I'm a freshman in high school and let's just say that I haven't had a great school year academically.

I've always been a reasonably decent student back in grade school and intermediate school, but I've struggled this year at the high school level. Sometimes when I don't do well on a test or an assignment, I want to give up, which causes me to delay getting started on any other projects or study sessions. When the next assignment or test arrives, I find I'm rushing at the last minute, and it of course turns out to be subpar.

On the one hand, I'm really frustrated about the cycle I'm in right now, but I'm at least slightly encouraged that I've gradually realized what I'm doing within the last few weeks. But now I feel stuck, so what can I do from here now that I know what my weaknesses are? — Decent Student Performing Poorly, via email

DECENT STUDENT PERFORMING POORLY: It's great that you both identified what appears to be holding you back and also acknowledged it.

You should also realize that the reality is, once or a test or an assignment has been completed and you've had subpar results, that particular segment of your academic responsibility is over. Immediately acknowledge the feelings you experience and do your best to motivate yourself to look forward, not backwards.

Seek out assistance! Let your parents know what's going on, perhaps speak to your teachers as well and see if you can get a study partner who may be able to study with you a couple of times a week and therefore hold you accountable.

Feeling depressed and frustrated over poor academic results and then procrastinating before the next test or assignment is a recipe for remaining in a downward spiral. Finally, think for a minute about the personal intensity you possess and can implement with your free will. You can "elect" to look backwards, mope and procrastinate, or you can elect to go in a new direction and turn your negative intensity into positive, hopeful and proactive intensity. Studying with others, whoever they may be, will help you in your academic journey.

SHE PUSHED FORWARD, I DON'T PUSH BACK

DR. WALLACE: I have a friend at school that I hang out with pretty regularly, but she quite often is very competitive with her ideas. She pushes power plays to get her agenda implemented whenever we are together.

I've thought about pushing back on some of her aggressiveness in terms of where we're going to go, what we're going to do and what time we might leave for or arrive back from a social visit with others. But instead of standing up for myself, I usually say nothing. It's just not my personality type of style to lock horns and clash with other people.

The only problem with this is that I start to feel some edginess and frustration rather than simply always enjoying the social time we spend together. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of fun on every outing for most of the time we are together, but there will be intermittent time periods where I definitely feel the negative vibes too. What can I do about this, especially given my more passive personality? — I Never Seem to Push Back, via email

I NEVER SEEM TO PUSH BACK: Indeed, dealing with the personality types and styles of others can often be one of the joys and pitfalls of interacting with friends and acquaintances.

It sounds to me as if your friend has settled into a comfortable routine of calling all the shots and simply announcing what the two of you were going to be doing. So, ahead of your next outing together, plan to suggest before you actually leave on your outing together. But instead of feeling that you must "push back" or challenge her, instead use your sweet personality to your advantage. Simply smile and calmly make a suggestion as to what you think might be an interesting or fun addition to the overall plans and then see how she reacts. It could be that she'll agree with some of your ideas, which could quickly dissipate some of your frustration while simultaneously allowing you both to have a little extra fun.

However, if you repeat the same strategy several times and she simply shuts you down, you could tell her that you would absolutely like to have some of your ideas considered in the future, because you've always viewed friendship as a two-way street. If it comes to this comment, make it in the same calm and smiling manner and if she still doesn't engage your ideas, it may be time for you to consider just how strong your friendship really is.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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