Top 10 Best Essays on the Academic Pressure Faced by Students Today

Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses, and no one is perfect. However, throughout our school years, we all face academic pressures, being compared, criticized, or judged by those around us. The symptoms of academic pressure include feelings of boredom and losing interest in studying, focusing on completing tasks rather than learning, experiencing frustration, instability, pessimism, irritability, and a lack of joy, enthusiasm, and excitement. As students move to higher grades, the pressure grows, especially when preparing for exams, such as transitions to new school levels, university entrance exams, and graduation tests. Life becomes a routine of attending school, going to extra classes, studying at home, and eating. In recent years, the media has reported several cases of students committing suicide due to poor grades, failing to enter specialized schools, or not passing university exams. The root of this pressure lies in an education system that overemphasizes achievements and grades. Most evaluations of students' abilities rely on test scores. The result of such overwhelming pressure is a loss of creativity and flexibility, replaced by rote memorization, which leads to poorer academic performance. To alleviate this burden, each student must maintain a positive attitude to reach the peaks of knowledge.

Today, the issue of students' academic lives is receiving a lot of attention. For students, this has become a huge pressure. Grades unintentionally create pressure, forcing students to study at all costs. This pressure even leads some to cheat or be dishonest in exams. Parents often compare their children's grades with others, while teachers also evaluate based on scores, despite the fact that each student excels in different ways. The pressure from all sides causes many serious consequences, with students experiencing stress, leading to depression or, in worse cases, mental illness. The most tragic outcome that both society, teachers, and families fear is suicide. In recent years, many students have taken their own lives as a result of this overwhelming pressure. Most recently, a 10th-grade male student from Hanoi, who attended the Hanoi-Amsterdam High School, took his life. He was a biology major student, and his death at such a young age serves as a wake-up call for parents who push their children to study, to excel, to achieve more. The most important request is for parents to reconsider their children's abilities, to step into their shoes and understand their dreams, passions, and ultimately, to understand what true happiness is for them.

As society continues to advance, the pressure to keep learning and staying ahead of new trends becomes more demanding. Parents, hoping to see their children succeed and make them proud, often push them relentlessly to study, imposing numerous rules and expressing dissatisfaction with their grades. As a result, academic pressure has become a heavy burden for students today. Many children begin extra lessons early, sometimes studying well into the night, leaving little time for rest. A recent survey found that nearly 80% of students sleep less than 8 hours a day, which is crucial for their physical development, especially for those under 18. Many students, some as young as grade 6 or 7, stay up until midnight to study, only to wake up early to review. Additionally, over 44% of students skip afternoon naps. This lack of rest leads to fatigue in class and a reduced ability to absorb lessons. Alarmingly, some students have even contemplated suicide as an escape. In Vietnam, education is predominantly assessed based on theoretical knowledge and grades, which doesn’t take into account the unique strengths of each student. Parents often judge their children solely on their grades, considering them lazy if they don’t score high. Sadly, this leads to an increase in self-harm and drug use, and the most tragic outcome is suicide. News reports frequently highlight cases where students, unable to meet academic pressures or get into prestigious schools, have taken their own lives. It is time for society and families to reassess this situation, change their mindset, and consider the mental and emotional well-being of their children. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes, understand their struggles, and offer more support to help them grow and thrive.

Life is full of challenges, and having the strength and belief to overcome them is key to success and happiness. We must never give up as long as we have dreams, and determination will guide us toward achieving them. However, every success carries its own pressure, and students today face immense pressure in their academic journey. The burden of academic expectations is becoming increasingly widespread among students. No longer can students enjoy the freedom and fun they once had; their time is consumed by study. Beyond regular school hours, they must take additional lessons, and the demands from parents often cause stress. Among the most significant pressures students face is the pressure from their families, a persistent issue in society. Every parent desires their child to excel, to be at the top of their class, so they can be proud in front of others. I don't achieve top marks like others because my abilities are limited. Why can't my parents understand this, even just once? I wish they would: 'Just understand me once, even just once.' The pressure from families weighs heavily on young shoulders. At an age when emotional and psychological development is still fragile, what children need most is a space filled with happiness, a nurturing environment with laughter, and time spent with friends. Yet, much of this time is consumed by forced study. It is often said, 'The family is the foundation of our drive to live, work, and learn.' Yet, ironically, the pressures imposed by society today create a heavy burden on students. Behind the accolades and grades that bring pride to many, students are sacrificing sleep, sometimes only getting 2-3 hours each night. I hope that one day, parents will truly understand their children and give them the freedom to pursue their own passions and dreams.

Academic pressure is a growing concern in society today. So, what are the causes of this phenomenon? How does it impact our lives? In my view, academic pressure arises from the widespread value placed on degrees and qualifications in Vietnamese culture. This has led some parents and schools to set high expectations for students, demanding excellent grades, which creates immense pressure. This situation has resulted in many negative consequences. First and foremost, it robs children of the chance to play and engage in physical activities as they spend excessive time studying. Additionally, when they fail to meet expectations and are scolded by adults, children often feel inferior, discouraged, and sometimes even fall into depression. In fact, not long ago, the public was shocked by the case of a female student who took her own life after being scolded by her parents for poor grades. In light of such incidents, we all need to be more aware of the academic pressures our children face, and take the necessary steps to address these challenges, both for ourselves and for those around us. While the importance of education cannot be denied, it is also crucial to strike a balance between studying and enjoying life to achieve the best outcomes.

In today's world, academic pressures on students have become a major topic of concern. Have we ever asked ourselves: How many sleepless nights did our children endure to achieve those impressive grades and accomplishments? Indeed, behind a stellar academic record and high scores lies a significant amount of effort, sacrifice, and reduced sleep. In reality, excelling in school comes with many pressures. The overwhelming volume of information, the vast number of subjects, and the constant demand for assignments, coupled with the need to prepare for exams, weigh heavily on students. These pressures, along with the stress of managing schedules, grades, and rankings, leave students physically and mentally drained. Additionally, the stress of social life and emotional changes during adolescence can exacerbate these pressures, making students even more confused and stressed. In short, there are numerous factors that contribute to the pressure students face, which can lead to extreme reactions such as violence, depression, and various health problems. The longer academic stress persists, the more negative consequences it brings, including feelings of disillusionment and a lack of motivation. Over time, students lose the joy and enthusiasm for learning, viewing school as a task to complete rather than a journey of growth. Their emotional instability, characterized by frustration, pessimism, irritability, and a lack of positive emotions, makes it hard for them to understand what they truly enjoy and plan for their future. Therefore, it is crucial for families and schools to pay attention to the signs and intervene early with appropriate solutions. The way we assess academic progress needs to change—moving away from focusing solely on grades and instead evaluating the overall learning process and the knowledge students have absorbed. Parents should stop comparing their children to others and put themselves in their children's shoes. It is important to understand, empathize, and support their dreams and aspirations.

As society progresses, the issue of academic pressure faced by students is garnering more attention. Have we ever stopped to think about the effort and sleepless nights behind those impressive academic achievements? If people truly understood the weight of the pressure we carry, they would realize the mental and emotional toll it takes. This is the reality many students face today: we are drowning in an overwhelming flood of pressure. The carefree days of childhood, filled with leisure and joy, seem to be a distant memory as studying consumes our lives. The weight of expectations from both school and parents, who all demand high grades, pushes us to the edge. The constant focus on grades, rankings, and academic success leaves us exhausted, anxious, and fearful of exams. Parents often push their children to follow paths they themselves deem appropriate—choosing careers for their children based on what they think is 'practical' or 'future-proof,' instead of allowing them to pursue their passions and dreams. Many students are forced into the mold of being 'perfect students,' with their worth measured solely by grades, leading to immense feelings of inadequacy. Sadly, for some, the pressure is too much to bear. In recent cases in Ho Chi Minh City, students have taken their own lives due to the crushing weight of academic expectations. These tragedies should serve as a wake-up call to parents and educators alike: it's time to truly listen to what students want and understand their struggles. Academic pressure is becoming a global issue, with significant consequences if not addressed. While education is undeniably important for personal growth and future success, it should never come at the expense of mental and emotional health. Overburdening students can destroy their well-being, especially at a young age.