I glance at my clock; it is already ten o’clock at night. Darkness seeps through my window, blanketing everything in sight save for a small yellow lamp on the corner of my desk. The wind rustles outside, interspersed by the clacking of a keyboard. I type furiously at my computer in the hopes of finishing a paper before the midnight deadline.
A large mug of coffee is nestled near my keyboard, necessary after a long day of school. In the reflection of my computer screen my eyebags are more pronounced, dark circles apparent under my eyes. I type the last word and shut my computer, breathing a sigh of relief. I fall asleep the instant I hit the pillow, only to wake up the next day in darkness yet again, with another midnight deadline that night.
Nights like these are common amongst high schoolers and the effects can have a negative impact. Late night study sessions have definitely affected my attentiveness and energy the following day. Often it feels like a race to the finish line, and I can feel overwhelmed at the amount of homework that is waiting for me after school.
According to the American College Health Association, 87% of students feel overwhelmed because of school. Extracurricular activities and challenging classes can fuel these stressful emotions and the feeling of not having enough time.
“When you hit that point where your mental health isn’t at a good place because of the pressure you are putting on yourself for academics, that’s when I think you need to assess if you are taking the right classes for yourself,” counselor Jodi Therkelsen said. “Your mental health and life are way more important than getting straight ones or being in these classes that are just too rigorous for you.”
Occasionally, that strict deadline or upcoming test is what actually drives motivation. Small amounts of stress can help students prioritize time and learn to cope with demanding classes.
Living in this fast-paced society has prompted students to develop habits for managing stress. I can always count on an outdoor run or a relaxing piano session to clear my head, but many adolescents choose faster-acting methods that end up causing more harm than good.
Current high school students need to ask themselves if a grade on a paper is worth more than their mental and physical wellbeing. As kids we tend to only see the short term solutions, not the long term implications.
A huge part of how I focus on my academic future stems from how I was brought up. My parents instilled in me the importance of hardwork and always told me to just try my best.
As cliché as that sounds, this philosophy has allowed me to truly figure out what I enjoy in school and focus on the educational aspect instead of less important factors.
Comparing myself to other classmates and worrying about others has only led to feelings of self-doubt, leading me to fixate on minute details.
It is difficult to focus on the individual and not the group. At this age we all want to fit in with the crowd, even if it means our mental health is put on the line.
I admit that I have succumbed to the pressures of academics in high school, from mounds of homework to frantic review sessions, and looking back it is just not worth it.
The mindset of school being a hub for knowledge has made school more enjoyable for me. With good coping mechanisms and basing my worth on my values rather than a grade, I am able to dedicate time to what really matters to me.
Looming academic pressure can cause students to lose sight of what is important. But if we are able to look past the cloud of pressure we will reap the benefits of education; success following in pursuit.