Buzz
For nearly everyone, childhood revolved around attending school. It was where we gained knowledge, learned social etiquette, and developed the ability to coexist with others, all while forming lasting friendships. Sounds enjoyable, doesn’t it?
In today’s world, high school has taken on a completely different significance for teenagers. There are numerous factors that make high school in the United States particularly detrimental to students’ mental well-being, and this list will explore ten of those reasons.
10. Bullying
Most of us likely recall at least one classmate who could have used a crash course in proper behavior. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, 28% of children aged 12 to 18 have experienced bullying. This issue transforms schools from safe spaces for learning into intimidating environments. If students feel threatened, how can they focus on their education? Compounding the problem, the advent of cyberbullying has made the situation even more severe.
A victim of physical bullying may live in constant fear for their safety. Reporting the incident to a teacher or adult can be daunting, particularly if the bully warns of harsher retaliation. Young students often feel powerless against a class bully. When school becomes synonymous with violence, theft, or humiliation, it’s no surprise that a child would dread attending, let alone focus on learning and academic tasks.
9. Fatigue
Walking through a high school hallway, you’re likely to encounter countless students with heavy eyelids and dark circles. This exhaustion is reflected in an online survey where 39% of students admitted to feeling tired during school hours. Juggling early mornings, long bus rides, full-day classes, extracurriculars, homework, and deadlines can quickly drain a student’s energy.
Chronic fatigue negatively impacts test performance and often leads to students dozing off in class, creating a cycle of falling behind and sacrificing even more sleep to catch up. While teenagers require 9.5 hours of sleep for optimal health, most average just 7.5 hours. Sleep deprivation can result in irritability, exhaustion, and depression, all of which contribute to declining academic performance.
8. Panic Attacks
Agoraphobia is a significant trigger for panic attacks, and schools, with their crowded hallways and constant movement of students, can exacerbate this condition. Panic attacks may also stem from drug use or other factors, with two to three percent of teenagers experiencing at least one panic attack annually.
Panic attacks are intensely frightening, and students who frequently endure them struggle to focus on their studies. Those with panic disorder often find themselves distracted or consumed by anxious thoughts, making it challenging to process information effectively. These attacks can also be triggered by the anticipation of events like exams or the stress of potential poor grades.
7. Psychiatric Disorders
The impact of high school on teenagers’ mental health is profound, with stress, anxiety, fear, and bullying being just a few contributing factors. It’s no surprise that over six percent of teens are prescribed psychiatric medications for conditions ranging from depression to ADHD. These disorders can hinder a student’s ability to concentrate, causing them to fall behind in class, struggle with assignments, and ultimately perform poorly academically.
Students with ADHD, for instance, face challenges not only in standardized testing but also in completing basic tasks and homework due to difficulties in maintaining focus. This often leads to a diminished perception of their intelligence, even though the issue lies not in their cognitive abilities but in their struggle to stay motivated and attentive. Frustration from these challenges can cause them to disengage entirely.
6. Standardized Testing
Grades can be intimidating, and the academic environment is more demanding than ever. What better way to evaluate students than by subjecting them to a series of high-pressure exams that could potentially shape their future? Consider this: 25 percent of students aged 13 to 18 report experiencing test anxiety. That means one in four students may freeze, sweat, or feel nauseous when faced with a blank exam sheet. The pressure intensifies due to the heavy emphasis American high schools place on grades and outcomes. Failing final exams can have long-term repercussions, affecting college admissions and future career prospects.
With so much riding on a single test, where a few wrong answers can lead to failure, stress is inevitable. Standardized testing is flawed for numerous reasons, one being that not all brains operate identically. A student’s superior memory doesn’t necessarily equate to higher intelligence.
5. Anxiety
High school students face a multitude of stress-inducing scenarios, from tight deadlines and social dynamics to the fear of failing. The sheer volume of tasks they must manage, remember, and complete can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, this issue is only worsening, as anxiety levels among teenagers continue to rise.
Stress significantly hinders a student’s ability to focus on schoolwork, maintain healthy social connections, and develop properly, which is crucial for a child’s growth. High school exacerbates these challenges, as social interactions become increasingly complex and subjects often require oral presentations. For students with anxiety, the thought of speaking in front of the entire class can be overwhelming. Even for those without anxiety, public speaking is rarely a comfortable experience.
4. Depression
The teenage years are challenging enough without the added burden of school-related struggles, which can lead to prolonged feelings of sadness. Many students feel overwhelmed by academic demands and pressure, leading them to withdraw and feel consumed by emptiness. This detachment from school, teachers, and peers further deteriorates their mental health and academic performance.
The constant exhaustion faced by teenagers in school only deepens their struggles. Approximately one in five teens experiences depression before reaching adulthood. In severe cases, depression can result in self-harm or even suicide. Financial difficulties can also contribute to this condition. However, the true number of affected individuals is hard to gauge, as many depressed students avoid seeking help or discussing their struggles. Depression is a widespread mental health issue, affecting more people than we realize, and it extends beyond students. If you’re feeling depressed, reach out to a professional—you don’t have to face it alone.
3. Social Integration
A sense of belonging is crucial for anyone, not just students, in any environment. Feeling out of place can severely impact a person’s well-being, and students need to feel integrated into their school community to thrive emotionally and academically. Without this sense of inclusion, their performance and mental health can suffer. Shockingly, a Gallup poll reveals that only 44 percent of high school students feel engaged with their school, which is deeply concerning.
School is more than just an academic institution; it’s a space where students learn to interact, build friendships, and collaborate with others. If teenagers don’t feel comfortable in this setting, how can they develop the social skills necessary for a fulfilling life? High school is often seen as unwelcoming for those who don’t fit the “popular” mold. If only 44 percent of students feel safe and accepted at school, the issue lies not with the students but with the school system itself.
Schools are often environments where students with mental health challenges struggle, and these issues won’t improve unless American high schools adopt new approaches. Many countries have successfully created healthier learning environments. For instance, Finland has eliminated standardized testing (except for one final exam) and has seen remarkable academic and well-being outcomes as a result.
2. Stress
Stress is a common experience in high school, arising from various sources. The pervasive pressure to excel academically to secure a good future can be overwhelming. Add to that the weight of major life decisions, such as choosing a college and career path, and the stress becomes relentless. Deadlines, homework, social anxiety, and grades further compound the pressure, creating a highly stressful environment for students.
A study conducted by NYU revealed that 49 percent of high school students experience significant daily stress. This stress can severely impair a student’s ability to think clearly, perform well on exams, or even function normally. Students at elite high schools face additional pressure to gain admission to top-tier colleges, pushing them to achieve higher grades and better results. However, this stress only exacerbates their challenges, leaving them exhausted and potentially impacting their mental health well into adulthood.
1. Homework
Homework, a staple of high school education, is often seen as a tedious task rather than an enjoyable activity. Typically, it involves repetitive exercises designed to prepare students for upcoming tests. According to a University of Phoenix survey, high school students spend an average of 17.5 hours per week on homework. This workload often leads to late nights, increased stress, and fatigue, compounded by the pressure to complete assignments on time and perform well. Failing to submit homework can result in poor grades, leaving students with no choice but to complete every task.
Many argue that homework is detrimental to children, as they require time to rest and recharge their developing minds. After spending an entire day at school, students shouldn’t be expected to dive straight into more work at home. This practice is both unhealthy and exhausting for young individuals. Overloading students with homework is counterproductive, as it leads to late nights and fatigue, leaving them drained and less focused the following day.
