The Pressure Behind the Bell

The final bell rings, but for some students, the school day isn’t really over. Tests still need to be studied for, assignments still need to be completed, and social problems can continue long after students leave the building. School can be a place for learning and growth, but it can also create pressures that affect students’ mental health.

Students experience different types of pressure throughout the school year. Grades, homework, tests, busy schedules, friendships and expectations about the future can all contribute to stress. While every student experiences these pressures differently, the effects can reach beyond the classroom and influence students’ sleep, motivation, relationships and overall well-being.

“I feel like there’s always something I have to worry about. Even when I finish one assignment, there’s already another test or project coming up,” said Emily Sloan, a junior at Carter High School.

For Emily, the constant expectations at school can make it difficult to feel completely relaxed. The pressure isn’t only about completing assignments, but also about feeling like they always have to keep up with everything happening around her.

Academic pressure can come from many different places. Students may worry about maintaining their grades, completing assignments on time, preparing for tests or meeting expectations for college and future careers. With multiple classes and responsibilities competing for their attention, students can sometimes feel as though there is not enough time to take care of themselves while also keeping up with school.

School pressure can also affect students outside of academics. Friendships, disagreements, social expectations and feeling left out can influence how students feel throughout the school day. These experiences can sometimes make an already stressful day feel even more overwhelming.

“Sometimes you don’t even realize how stressed you are until you finally get home and realize you don’t even want to do anything,” said Kailani Sheri, a junior at Carter High School.

For some students, the effects of school stress may not become noticeable until they leave campus. A stressful school day can affect a student’s energy, motivation and willingness to participate in activities outside of school.

The two students’ experiences show that student mental health can be affected by several parts of the school experience. Academic expectations and social interactions may look different from student to student, but both can contribute to the pressure students carry throughout their day.