Are Students Under Too Much Academic Pressure?
Between tests, homework, projects, extracurricular activities, and the pressure to earn good grades, being a student can feel overwhelming. School is meant to help students learn and prepare them for the future. However, these demands can make it difficult for students to balance school with their personal lives.
Academic pressure can come from a variety of sources. Students may feel pressure from teachers, parents, or even themselves. For some students, getting good grades can feel more important than learning because grades are often used to determine a student’s academic performance. This makes it even more stressful for students who are worried about college and future careers.
“I feel like there is a lot of pressure to get good grades.We are only in the third week of school and I’ve already had a full day of just testing in all my class periods, it’s really hard to keep up with everything,” said sophomore Nehemie Destine.
However, not every student views academic pressure negatively. Some students believe that having high expectations can encourage them to work even harder and stay motivated in order to succeed.
“I think some pressure is helpful.It pushes me harder to make sure I’m doing my best, even though I still get overwhelmed sometimes, I manage to push through it instead of letting it stop me,” said sophomore at SLAM High School, Jemima Louis-Jeune.
For students that already have a busy schedule outside of school, balancing academic work can be even more difficult. Sports, clubs, jobs, or family responsibilities are examples of other important things students have to face. When multiple deadlines are due at once, students may find it difficult to give each assignment the amount of attention it deserves.
Academic pressure also affects how students feel about their own performance. A student who normally earns high grades will suddenly start to worry about what will happen if they get a lower one. Instead of feeling proud of their progress, students may begin to only see their success only by grades.
At the same time, academic expectations can be an important part of education. Challenging students can help them develop time-management, organization, and study skills that can be useful later on in life. It is not a question as to whether students should be challenged, but whether the amount of pressure they experience is reasonable.
As students continue through the school year, finding a balance between academic success and personal matters is important. While some pressure can help motivate students to succeed, too much pressure can make it harder to enjoy learning and managing their responsibilities.
Academic pressure affects students differently. What might motivate one student to perform well can overwhelm another. This makes it important for school staff members, families, and students to be aware of how academic pressure affects students.
