Anxiety is a common feeling that especially shows in high schoolers across the country. The feeling stems from societal pressure on young teens to decide their future too early, increasing stress and worry in those teens. With the school year coming to an end, everything becomes difficult, and anxiety levels rise.
The second semester of high school can feel confusing and stressful because so many events happen during this time. Freshmen and sophomores experience EOC and AP testing, while juniors take the SAT in March, along with other testing and deadlines, and seniors juggle scholarship deadlines and college acceptance. Despite common misconceptions that seniors have it easy, anticipating graduation and life after high school holds a lot of pressure. The thought of graduating and picking a college can feel very hard to carry and deal with on a daily basis.
Not only do academics contribute to stress, but so do the more social and enjoyable events. Juniors and seniors look forward to a fun, but potentially stressful, prom as well. Obviously, not all causes come from school, but it can play a big role. Almost 32% of high school students have reported experiencing anxiety during the school year, and about one in five adolescents reported having symptoms of anxiety or depression. Studies have also shown that mental health problems have risen in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some teens get help for their feelings, many will never receive aid due to many reasons.
In recent years, improving mental health has become a large and positive topic of discussion in the world. One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to stay true to yourself, which allows you to monitor your time and availability, limiting the chances for stress to sneak in. When talking about stress to counselors, the student will ask about the worst possible outcome and will receive advice about how nothing that bad will end up happening. To deal with anxiety, students should also find an outlet to express themselves, such as a sport or a form of creativity.
Schooling plays such a small part in a very big life. Students do so much more than what they accomplish in school, and they shouldn’t let their academics and grades control their future selves. For the most part, it doesn’t control who someone becomes. A child could show kindness but not do well in school, and still deserve recognition as a nice person.
So many students have experienced the same feelings but rarely talk about them. As the school year wraps up, students experience emotional highs and lows. Each feeling proves natural and valid. So many students in the past have felt the same way and have moved on into life, even with all of their stress in high school.
High school is a stressful yet exciting time in a teenager’s life. It comes with tests and projects, but also friends and memories. Students need to understand that it is okay to take a break and rest when needed. Grades do not define children.
