Is High School Too Stressful?

High school is hard, and some people think it’s harder than it should be. Many students constantly try their hardest to get the best grades possible, but it is not enough.

Along with their academic studies, many students participate in clubs or athletics after school. The stress of balancing their studies, sports, extracurriculars, and personal life can take a real toll on students’ mental health. One Harborfields HS student commented, “School makes me stressed a lot of the time because every night I have lots of homework that takes me hours to do and I have a job and after-school activities on top of that. I spend the time I’m not working studying for tests I have coming up because even one bad grade can ruin my average.” According to Cross River Therapy, approximately 45% of high school students admit to being stressed in school every day, and 61% of teenagers worry about adequate grades. 

The extensive workload can also be alienating; the constant rigor of students’ schedules can lead to them missing out on important life events. “Sometimes I have to miss practice because I have so much [work] to do,” an anonymous student stated when asked about their post-school activities. Another student added, “I don’t even have a lunch period at school. I’m too focused on trying to take more classes.” 

Although many students are fighting against the demanding schedule of high school, there are also arguments for why it is important. For example, it can help you learn skills such as time management and efficiency. It is argued that the point of school is to learn how to do things in the real world, however, many teenagers disagree with this statement and find it is too much to handle. 

The main reason high school students- typically juniors and seniors- are feeling immense stress is due to college and college applications. Colleges are not only looking for students with high grades, they are looking for students who stand out among their peers. This causes students to overwork themselves and take on too much at once, whether that be too many AP classes or a multitude of extracurricular activities. 

In conclusion, high school proposes countless challenges that often make it feel like too much to work through, but in the end, it helps students figure out who they are and their aspirations in life.