Q&A for How to Take a Shower in Gym Class

PE class is very social. It's a great place for people to make friends because a lot of times we pair off into partners or we make groups of five or six at a time. It's trusting yourself and jumping in and not being afraid to join a group. Usually, that helps. You want to use friend-maker words with your classmates, not friend-breaker words. Use encouraging words like “great job” and “I like how you're using your fingertips to dribble.”

You could visit or call the school and ask. Or you can ask someone who goes to the school.

You need to tell a parent or a trusted teacher right away.

Have a few girls stay out of showers and hold your clothes while you shower, and then switch and do the same for them. If you don't have time to do this, just tell the coach or teacher, because that could even be considered sexual harassment and they could get in big trouble.

You could time yourself (with a waterproof watch or with your phone outside the shower). Set an alarm for 5 minutes, and hop out when it goes off.

Stay calm. It will be hard to stay calm, but you have to try. Brush it off and just close the curtain again. Remember, you're not the only one embarrassed; the others will probably be, too.

Yes, you can do that.

The cameras are probably set up by the school for security purposes. If you do not think they are from the school, or are still uncomfortable showering with them around, talk to your teacher or school administrator about them.

Remember that everyone will eventually go through the puberty process and that your body is entirely normal.

Tell him to mind his own business and go away. If he doesn't, tell the P.E. teacher or coach when you get out of the shower.

Try to hide yourself quickly with anything nearby, tell him to leave, and if he doesn't, start yelling.

It's normal, and your peers will likely also get them. Just keep a towel handy for when you feel one coming on.

Don't shower that day then. If you can't dry yourself off then showering is not a good idea.

Unfortunately no. As it said in the article, you can't shower with clothes on. Stay confident and relaxed, and keep a towel or your clothes within reach. Remember, everyone else in the shower area is most likely as uncomfortable in this situation as you are.

Get out of the shower and go tell the coach/gym teacher immediately.

Usually it is your choice, but I suggest that you do it unless you have gym last period. You don't want to smell bad during the rest of the school day.

Try planning out a routine. Give yourself a specific amount of time to do something and get used to the routine. Talk to your P.E teacher if there's any trouble. Try to move quickly, though.

People most likely won't look at you. If they do, try to ignore them. If they make you feel uncomfortable, ask them to stop; they they don't or if they make fun of you, tell a trusted adult. Lastly, you can always change inside the shower cubical for more privacy.

Make sure you have your supplies ready for you when you go into the shower stall. If there is any blood in the shower, remember to rinse it down the drain after you are finished washing. For more detail, look at wikiHow's article on gym showering while on your period .

Don't worry. Everyone feels that way. You could wear a bathing suit, but you could also just be brave and take your shower. It'll soon feel natural.

Remind yourself that everyone feels really uncomfortable, even if they're pretending not to. It's really no big deal and you kind of get used to it.

Tell them to leave immediately, and leave yourself and locate a teacher or coach. This is a serious infraction and should be reported.

Ask an administrator like your gym teacher about adding shower rings. If not, there should most likely be a place.

Even though it might embarrass you, you should tell her to get out immediately and then make sure your teacher or coach knows about it. This is something that the girl needs to be corrected on so she doesn't do it again in the future.

This is not okay. Even if you're scared, you should tell someone you trust, perhaps a teacher, parent, or other adult.

Get down on your knees and grab it then get back up, and you won't have to bend over.

Some schools do. You would need to research this about your specific middle school.

Because nakedness can lead to sex, and sex (as well as nakedness) is private. Most people value privacy, and prefer not to address any matters that fall under their own privacy with just anyone, other than their partners. Clothes are mostly for the weather, and to satisfy our sense of fashion, to express ourselves, but also to avoid people from thinking of sex with us every time they see us, because sex is, as I said, private.

It depends. If you walked in by accident, then no. If you have a young daughter with you, then no (but you should take her in the male locker room, because women could think you're there to harass them). If you walked in as an experiment, then you'll probably get in trouble.

Yes, these instructions can work for students of any age.