The Impact of Stress on High School Students
For some, High School years can be filled with memorable highlights and positive moments that involve achieving and celebrating significant milestones. For others, it's a period marked by challenges and hardship. For most, it is both of these experiences combined. And, it is important to recognize that the stress High School Students experience should not be underestimated.
The stress that High Schoolers encounter can often be categorized within one of the following areas:
Academic Performance
Mental Health
Physical Health
Social Relationships
The weight of these stressors over time can be a detriment to the overall well-being of High School Students. In this Post, we delve into the multifaceted impacts different types of stress have on these Students. We also offer strategies that can help High School Students adequately and safely alleviate stress moving forward.
As far as Academic Performance, in High School, Students are typically expected to juggle rigorous coursework, homework deadlines and exam pressures. This can bring about chronic stress which can lead to decreased concentration, lapses in memory and lowered cognitive abilities. When Students feel that the demands of school are overwhelming and stressful, it can hinder their ability to absorb and retain information as well as negatively impact their grades and Academic Performance.
In the realms of Mental and Physical Health, the toll of stress is undeniable. High School Students facing excessive stressors may experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression and even burnout. Comparison to others in addition to feeling compelled to excel academically and socially can bring about a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions that erode self-esteem and foster a sense of hopelessness among Students. It is easy to see that concerns involving Mental Health need to be addressed and doing so should be a priority in support of High School Students. Additionally, high levels of stress can manifest physically, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns, immune system suppression and more. These physical manifestations not only impact daily life but can also contribute to a vicious cycle where compromised Physical Health exacerbates stress levels.
When it comes to Social Relationships, how well a Student balances their interpersonal connections can easily reveal whether or not they are dealing with stress. Although High School is usually seen as a time of social growth and exploration, excessive stress can strain relationships. Students who are stressed may withdraw from social activities, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. And, the pursuit of high educational performance driven by stress can create barriers for Students as they put in effort to form authentic connections, embrace their true self and maintain current Social Relationships.
At Iowa Choice Charter School, we partner with our Students by helping them focus on earning their High School Diploma while building up their capacity to properly handle the stressful situations they encounter! We acknowledge that while some High Schoolers are able to implement positive coping strategies and effectively manage their stress, others struggle to keep up their responsibilities when stress looms over them. In fact, acknowledgement is the first step toward addressing the issue of stress. Other steps Students can take to address and manage their stress effectively and in a healthy manner include:
practicing mindfulness
attending a stress management workshop
connecting with nature
engaging in physical movement
taking note of trusted individuals they feel they can openly communicate with
partnering with a mentor or coach to prioritize tasks and organize scheduled activities
staying intentional about setting boundaries and scheduling time off
Empowering younger generations with the tools needed to thrive amidst the pressures of their educational journey is imperative to their success as a whole. At Iowa Choice Charter School, we understand that when our Students have access to resources that can help them manage stressful situations, they are better equipped to finish their High School career and make their way to a brighter future.
