School-Related Stress

Tests, Papers, and Quizzes, Oh My!!

Where does the stress in your life come from?  School, perhaps?  This is common among teens, since there is so much pressure to succeed.  You are expected to do well in your biology class, in your English class, and at the same time start to think about what kind of career you’d like to have.  Your teacher just assigned a huge project due the next week, but you have work and family obligations to which you have already committed.  On the one hand, stress can be a motivating factor and help you get homework and papers done on time.  However, if it gets to the point where you feel paralyzed or completely panicked about getting something done, then it’s time to take a deep breath and relax.  You may not be able to control the situation that you find yourself in or what other people do, but there is one thing you can control: your response to the situation.

Sometimes the small everyday hassles, including those associated with school and family, can be even harder to deal with than the stress involved in major life changes (Seiffge-Krenke, 2001).  These can require a lot of patience to deal with, and the tension from these can also build up over time.  It’s important to relieve this stress so that it doesn’t become overwhelming.  Take time each week to take care of yourself, whether it’s reading a favorite book, listening to your favorite music, or just hanging out with your friends.  For more tips on how to deal with school stress, visit http://www.arc.sbc.edu/stressquiz.html.

In the Future

Our generation has had tremendous pressure placed on us to decide what to do in the future: what kinds of jobs we should have and where we should go to college. See the Stress About the Future section for more information.

The Big Move

Moving can be a tough transition especially during adolescence when there is alreadu so much going on in our lives. See the New Home, New School, New Friends section for more information.