STUDENT LIFE
December 2016
Having too
much on a
plate can be
overwhelming
Photo
Courtesy of
Health News
WHAT HAS GONE WRONG?
A Look into What is Making High Schoolers Stressed
BY SOPHIA MOORE
Stress can manifest in many ways, whether it be
in tears, yelling, or even just silence. At one point
or another, many of us have felt overwhelmed
and stressed because of school. This is one
feeling that many students, in particular, have felt
in different ways.
As a senior, I feel this extreme stress while trying
to finish my college applications, essays, and
figure out what my life will look like a year from
now. I have had an easy, breezy time in high
school, and I've enjoyed my classes and the free
time that comes with them. This is not true for all
students. Cole Quizon, sophomore, said that
he’s had a “hard time balancing my social life
with my school life.” He spends at least three and
a half hours a day on homework alone. On top
of that, he is involved in OLu’s volleyball team,
wind ensemble, jazz band, and club volleyball.
Personally, I have struggled with anxiety and
stress that has affected my sleep and school life. I
know I am not alone when I say that I have spent
many nights awake till 4 a.m. working on a paper
or a project. I have had too much school work on
my plate.
This is a common struggle that many high
schoolers deal with. The balancing act of school
and life outside of that can be difficult. Almost
everyone's goal is to go to a good college, find a
good job, and get paid well. Although this is a
great goal to have, a common mistake that
happens is students and parents think to achieve
this one must bury themselves in studies, when in
fact, that could be the source of their stress.
The LA Times estimates students have about 3.5
hours of homework a night, which is added to
their extracurricular activities. Students typically
pressure themselves to do as well as their peers,
and parents can encourage this. There is a
competitive component to this also. Being the
best in class is something most of us strive for.
People want to get an A so they can finish with a
4.0 GPA. With all of this pressure, it’s no wonder
why students have so much stress and anxiety
weighing down on them.
According to the American Psychology
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