Stress limits classroom productivity

There are expectations and standards placed on the backs of students from the start of middle school by society and students’ parents. By the time high school begins, many students who conform to these standards are overwhelmed with the burden of schoolwork and balancing it alongside any activities that are done after school. In fact, many students have had cases where the workload was simply too large or too difficult, forcing even the most motivated students to keep working beyond their limits, to sacrifice things their body requires such as food and sleep.

A junior section leader in the school’s marching band noted that they were often stressed and overwhelmed with the workload from their day to day schedule, not having enough time to enjoy their life or even finish homework before twelve at night. “‘Sorry.’ I say that a lot now because I have to cancel plans, although I didn’t have many to begin with. With marching band, we have to practice everyday for so freaking long I don’t get started on homework until nine,” said Isabella Omori. 

When students overwork themselves beyond their limit, skipping meals and cutting sleep for the sake of completing an assignment, they can develop extreme mental stress and eating disorders. More extreme students have even ended up cutting themselves away from all “distractions” to focus fully on homework and school related activities. It is certainly admirable to push hard and focus on studying for school; however, when one begins to push themselves to the point where they are ignoring self-care is not okay. 

The human body has natural limits, and even if students are working extremely hard in the now so they can have a relaxing future, it can be overwhelming and sometimes even pointless. Many students do not understand or have a glimmer of an idea about where they should go after college, and those that do are often burnt out from ignoring self-care.

Many people, when they are young, have a hope of what and who they want to become when they are older. Those dreams of childhood innocence, however, are often crushed by the views of narrow-minded parents or peers. Many people with aspiring creative talents do not have the self-confidence to pursue the belief they want because of an ideal ingrained in them from their parents when young, that it would not be beneficial for them to follow through with the path they want to choose.

“Maybe if everyone had a choice, a real choice, without bias or burden to choose to do what they love, everyone would be able to be a little more happy,” said a CVHS student.