Research Round 3 – How Does the Educational System Affect Teenagers Mentally?

Hey everyone,

I hope you are all doing well and adapting to our online schooling. Although it is a massive change, we are all in this together so stay safe and continue to do research for Social Responsibility! Within my third and final round for this cycle, I will be researching the negative effects of the educational system from excessive stress to high expectations and even the lack of balance in a student’s life. Especially as teenagers in high school, the pressure is put on us to choose courses and succeed in them because they relate to what we want to be in the future which creates added stress on top of our normal workload.

Excessive Stress

Unfortunately, a lot of teenagers feel pressure and stress during high school due to university admissions. Many students have mental breakdowns and extreme amounts of academic stress which their bodies somehow learned to cope with. According to a clinical psychologist in Maryland who is also a public education coordinator named Mary Alvord claims “a little stress is a good thing because it can motivate students to be organized. But too much stress can backfire.” After many surveys were conducted on teenagers and their parents, about 40% of parents reported their teens facing lots of stress while 45% of teens feel the pressure of school. (1) Although Dr. Charles Best is a public school, I found some research on private school students and their stress levels. Parents pay an abundance of tuition; however, many students report to be suffering from chronic stress due to AP classes, extracurriculars, and sports practices. By the time they reach university, some burn out because it is mentally straining. (2)

High Expectations

Although it is closely related to stress, students are feeling extremely pressured by parents, peers, and teachers to get into a decent university. In order to increase their chances, students must present their best grades, create portfolios, and prepare personal profiles which can be overwhelming while trying to maintain your average within your final year. (2) As university acceptance rates are decreasing and admission averages are increasing, students feel pressured to do more and put their personal health second. (4) Students find unhealthy ways to cope such as isolation and develop strong emotions like anger, frustration, and hostility. (3)

Lack of Balance

Many students, throw themselves into their education and forget about their own personal health. Students believe this will increase their grades because they are solely focused on their education, but neglecting physical exercise and social relationships lower their academic abilities. In order for students to reach their full potential, it’s important for students to have a healthy balance. (5) Without time management, students are seen alienated and struggle mentally coping with social problems, all because some homework assignments which they feel are pointless at the time, but in reality, determines their future. (6)

Effect on Students / Solutions

Sadly, research supports students who have high achieving goals in the future report higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and behavioral issues. Which can lead them to take drastic measures to reach their goals such as cheating, bullying, and self- harm. (4) Therefore, we need to take action by offering students a peaceful place to cope like a garden or a calming activity instead of punishment at the principal’s office. Offer students a lending hand by teachers expressing their concerns verbally and taking actions by maybe decreasing homework or shortening the lesson so students have time to ask questions and complete the assignment. Although homework is a part of learning, there is a line where it becomes more stressful than beneficial. (3)

That is all for this round of research! Stay tuned for my next cycle on “How Does the Educational System Affect Teenagers Emotionally?”

Citations

1. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/12/02/246599742/school-stress-takes-a-toll-on-health-teens-and-parents-say
2. https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/high-stress-high-school/409735/
3. https://www.apa.org/ed/schools/primer/stress
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/09/26/students-high-achieving-schools-are-now-named-an-at-risk-group/
5. https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance/
6. https://news.stanford.edu/2014/03/10/too-much-homework-031014/

As always, any questions, comments, and opinions are welcome and appreciated. Stay safe everyone J