Youth & Stress

Dear Students, I am sure you've probably been hearing the same suggestions from your parents since you were in primary school -  “If you don't get good grades, you won't get into a good college, you won't get a good job and you'll end up with a useless job and not be succesfull”.

Well, it is true that your parents are right as academic performance really does affect what fields you can get into and what type of job you can have in the future. After all, you wouldn't expect a student with 40% marks to get into IIT or into Medical or Engineering Colleges. So, it is natural that students start getting anxious and spend sleepless nights worrying about the upcoming exams. They may experience negative thoughts and unpleasant physical symptoms which prevent them from performing to the best of their ability. Students, just relax! You need not worry. It is wise to remember that exams are not here as a punishment. Instead, they are a good way of testing how much you have learnt and understood over the year.

Whether you are taking the CBSE X & XII Board Exams or PMT, PET, IIT- JEE, CAT or appearing for any other Entrance Exam, you should not worry. Don’t get over-anxious, it never helps. Whether you're in High School, College, or University, constantly dealing with stress and pressures can have a big impact on your overall academic success .

1. Stress Affects Your Health

Stress suppresses your immune system, which causes increased susceptibility to contracting viruses and health problems like headaches and upset stomach, and I am sure I don't need to tell you that if you're sick, you won't be able to give 100% to your classes. You may not feel up to studying or you could suffer further from missing classes. If stress is causing physical symptoms, it's time to consult a professional therapist or stress management consultant.

2. Stress Affects Your Memory Retention

Students who experience large amounts of stress in their lives often have trouble with memory retention. When you're stressed, you're more likely to forget the facts and figures presented in class, and you'll be less likely to successfully recall this information on tests, labs and on real life applications. Obviously, this is a problem for anyone who wants to do well in college, so try to identify and remedy the causes of stress in your life if you find you're forgetting more than you retain from your classes.

3. Stress Causes Anxiety

Students who face a tremendous amount of stress may also suffer from anxiety - ranging from mild cases of worry to severe cases of stress. If you're suffering from anxiety at any level, you'll find that you can't focus as well on your school work or on other aspects of student life like extra-curricular activities and personal relationships with your friends & family.

4. Stress Can Make You into a Nervous Wreck

Stress can turn an ambitious student into one who's nervous and unsure about the future. It's easy to witness a certain level of anxiety when you have a test on Monday, an assignment due for submission on Wednesday and a Debate to prepare for on Friday - but don't let these little things affect your drive for success. If you find yourself thinking that there's no way you'll get everything done, try breaking large tasks down into smaller pieces and tackle them one bit at a time.

5. Stress Affects Your Self-Esteem

Students who feel overwhelmed by stress may experience feelings of guilt and hopelessness, causing their self-esteem to falter. If you've been late in handing over your assignments , it's easy to feel like you'll never get back on track - but don't think like this! If you get too caught up in your stumbles, you'll lose track of all the positive strides you've made in your studies. Remind yourself of all the good things you've accomplished so far and find small, concrete ways to get back on the right path.

6. Stress Can Lead to Health Problems

It's easy to let the competing academic and personal priorities of being a student get the better of you as a student, and it can become difficult to see outside all this stress. As a result, many students - particularly University students - end up dealing with depression.

So my dear students …If you're ever feeling that there's no way out of the stress you're under, seek proper care immediately,  speak to people who  understand what you're going through and  can help you work through the stress you're dealing with. Your parents are your best confidants so confide in them and allow them to help you to out.

Tina Olyai

Director 

LAHS 

www.lahs.org