In today’s competitive academic society, the pressure to have perfect grades in high school is overwhelming for many students. From the expectations of parents and teachers to college acceptances and scholarships, students often find themselves caught in a constant cycle of stress. Sofia Marin (11) says, “I feel a lot of academic stress, especially with my AP classes.” The need to go above and beyond academically is very popular among high school students, but the overwhelming weight of perfection can be mentally and physically exhausting. Understanding how to manage school work and stress is key to maintaining academic performance and personal mental health.
High school is known as a time of growth and setting up for the future. For many students, this is just a time to get good grades and be successful. While success is commonly seen as straight As, achieving these perfect grades is not easy. The pressure to maintain these grades has levels. First, college admission competitiveness has made high school grades even more critical. Many students view their academic performance as a reflection of themselves or their future. They believe that only perfect grades will get them into a good college or university. Additionally, parents and teachers often expect students to prioritize school work and meet high academic standards, which can add stress to students.
The pressure to achieve perfect grades can have many negative effects, like anxiety, depression, and burnout. Students who feel a constant need to study, complete assignments, and prepare for exams often suffer from sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, and overall worse physical and mental health. This can also make it harder for students to concentrate and retain information in school. When students are overwhelmed or stressed, their ability to learn and perform well in school declines. While students should make schoolwork a priority, they should also use their downtime to focus on other things, such as extracurriculars, hobbies, and spending time with friends. This creates a perfect balance to eliminate isolation and poor mental health.
One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is by using time management. Cameron Tsai (11) says, “I write down my assignments so that I have a checklist of all my work.”
Students often feel overwhelmed because they procrastinate or leave assignments until the last minute. Creating a schedule or even a simple to-do list helps to break down tasks and make them more manageable. Organizing the schedule with assignments or tasks that have more weight on your final grade or deadline can help prioritize based on their importance and create an order for which each one needs to be completed.
In addition, good study habits are essential for academic success. A tip is instead of cramming before a test, students should study regularly many times before the test. Breaking the study sessions into shorter intervals can improve memory and focus. Studying should be done in a quiet environment that is free from distractions, which can help students concentrate on their work. Lastly, if students find themselves struggling with the workload or feeling overwhelmed, it is important to reach out to teachers or parents. Students can get tutoring or ask a counselor for emotional support.
The pressure to achieve perfect grades in high school is real, but it is important for students to understand that they do not have to affect their mental health in order to get good grades. By using these methods, students can better manage school work and stress.
