A certain level of stress is normal. Positive stress responses from events such as changing schools and meeting new friends can actually help students learn and grow. But, when exposed to repeated stressful events without the tools to manage feelings, stress can become emotionally and physically draining.
What Causes Stress in Students?
There is no specific and unique reason that causes stress in students. It can be a combination of many factors, some of which include –
- Not being able to create a balance between a social life and an academic life
- Lack of sleep
- Keeping up with classes in order to maintain a high GPA
- Financial worries
- Fear of the unknown future
Stress Toll on Mental Health
A survey by the American Psychological Association found that nearly half of all teens – 45 percent – said they were stressed by school pressure. Chronic stress may cause a sense of panic and paralysis, which will only add on to the feeling of stress. In addition, coping with stress can aggravate symptoms, increasing the pressures associated with having a mood disorder. Some examples of mood disorders related to stress include –
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Social anxiety disorder
- Substance abuse and addiction
How to Cope with School Stress
At the end of the day, each person deals with stress at their own pace and in their own way. However, there are some things to do in order to be able to reduce stress, some of which include –
- Stress can be caused by students feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork. Deadlines can pile up, and students can have trouble organizing themselves. Clutter can cause stress and decrease productivity. A tidy, calm place to work away from distractions is important to minimize stress.
- Not getting enough sleep impairs academic performance and makes it harder to get through the day.
- Find a stress outlet such as a hobby, joining a sports club, or going out with friends. It could be walking the family dog or doing arts and crafts. It does not matter as long as it helps you relax.
- Try out relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga.
High levels of stress impact a student’s ability to concentrate, memorize, and obtain good grades. Too much stress can lead to both mental and physical health problems for students and create a cycle of poor grades, low confidence, etc. That is why you must find a way of coping that is healthy and beneficial.