Between homework, sports, and assessments, many students can safely say that it can be difficult to find time for a break. Being busy isn’t the problem, but the consistent workload and test load make it difficult for students to relax. On top of sports and extracurriculars, this time for relaxation can be almost non-existent. Today’s students are more burnt out than ever, and this problem is being normalized rather than identified.
A big part of this problem can be the number of tests back-to-back. Workloads in our high school can sometimes take up to 4 hours to complete. Combined with studying due to the assessments, this makes it difficult to find time for ourselves. Not only do we have academic pressure, but some also bear the pressure of college. The competitive nature of J.P. Stevens makes students even more ambitious, as they want to stand out to colleges. No matter how hard we try to get everything done, there always seems to be an assignment, assessment, or reading pages due tomorrow.
Along with school, we also have to balance what we do outside of coursework. Aside from academic pressure, many of us are also involved in sports, club leadership, or jobs. Students outside of school aren’t students anymore, but they could be club advisors, employees, or interns. Students can be expected to handle more than what they have on their plate, which can be extremely overwhelming at times. Social pressure is also prominent, as the high-achieving students at our school subconsciously push each other to do better. The competitive culture can make someone feel out of place due to their achievements paling in comparison to those of their friends.
Although this is a real problem, some people may say it’s “just a part of high school,” or “it prepares you for the real world.” While it is true that responsibility and time management skills are valuable skills that can be utilized in the real world, constant stress cannot be classed as preparation, but as a health risk. Exhaustion and burnout can decrease motivation and ultimately lead to worse performance when it comes to other tasks.
Students should not have to be constantly burned out to achieve success. A well-rounded individual, not hyper-focused on grades or awards: that is real preparation for the real world. A lighter workload or more flexibility regarding assignments and tests, which provides balance, can drastically reduce stress and improve the lives of students here at J.P. Stevens.
