Advanced placement (AP) Environmental Science (APES), Honors French and Algebra II tests are accompanied by an AP Seminar essay. Not to be forgotten is the homework from the other classes as well as club meetings, gift shopping and making it to work on time.
That was my week from the first to the seventh of Feb. I studied for my upcoming tests, with math on Monday, French on Tuesday, APES the following week and an essay due Wednesday. In addition to my French test, I had to practice for a “dialogue,” where I made a skit regarding the most recent unit. All of this stressed me out, and while I am used to it, I still felt the pressure.
After that week, things cooled down. I had homework again, but it was manageable. My teachers began giving notes in class as well as doing activities. This was the calm before the storm in the cycle, the deadline cycle. First, there is a period of calm, which is accompanied by homework, but it is relatively stress-free. Then, once a test approaches, the work ramps up. Review guides are handed out, and review sessions begin. Finally, the test day has arrived.
This cycle can apply to most classes, but what makes it so difficult to deal with is that this happens for every class at the same time. It is upsetting and I often struggle to feel happy when I know the work is weighing down on me.
Prioritization is key in these scenarios, as suggested by Delta Institute, but what happens when there is not enough time to prioritize?
In a New York Times article about students’ opinions regarding the “demands of school,” one student suggests that she has had to sacrifice her health to meet deadlines. I have had similar experiences where I prioritize getting work done over going out with friends or doing sports that will help me feel better.
Another student from the article found that the stress that comes from school is common, and that if schools were less demanding, kids would “develop faster” due to less anxiety/stress.
This student is not alone in claiming that school stress negatively impacts students. Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) finds that deadline stress can cause frequent illness, shifted behavior and more in students.
While it is unlikely that deadlines will stop syncing across classes, there are ways for students to combat their stress. CCA suggests that allowing students to express their feelings, learn coping mechanisms and encouraging them to “take breaks” from schoolwork can all help students avoid the stress that comes with the plentiful deadlines. Next time you see (or are) a student overwhelmed with deadline stress, help them out by giving them a listening ear and suggesting ways they can manage their upcoming tasks.
