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By Melody Kaleiah Hovet
It’s common knowledge that many high school students tend to consistently be stressed over their academic work. They stay up late doing homework; they study all night for tests.
The fact is, students worry about their grades and getting A’s is a priority.
People are always telling teens that high school is when grades really start to matter. Parents tell their kids that if they want a successful life, they need to get into a good college, and the primary way you do that is by having good grades. According to Nino Elliot, Executive Director of Teen Life, in the last 20 years, the rate of teenagers with anxiety disorders has tripled.
Elliot equates the stress levels of high school students during finals week to an adult handling substantial work stress because of the importance they place on high scores. Grades are treated as a representation of a person’s future, as if whether they do well in Algebra 1 or not defines their entire life.
And, in a way, it does.
When one bad grade can have such a big impact on the range of colleges a student can attend, of course he or she is going to feel the need to get a higher grade.
High-schoolers can care more about getting high marks than actual learning and retaining knowledge. They start thinking only of ways they can apply the information in the short term, like on quizzes and tests.
Also, in today’s society, where people are ridiculed for failure and mistakes, students might not ask for help because they think others will judge them or think less of them, even if this is not actually the case. And some, when they don’t get good grades, give up.
Some districts are trying to promote a learning environment that prioritizes learning as opposed to short-term application and stops students from giving up.
Fremont High School, part of the Oakland Unified School District, has phased out D’s and F’s and instead gives incomplete marks to prompt students to actually master the topics. What they hope for is for high schoolers to realize it is okay to make mistakes and continue trying to improve. According to a Bay City News article, the district wants high-schoolers to apply for colleges by showcasing what skills they have and what they are really capable of rather than giving colleges a generalized representation of their abilities when not all of their work is done at their fullest potential.
Adults need to be aware of the pressure of earning high marks and getting into a good college, and check in and give students time to relax.
Teens tend to tell other teens that they’re struggling before going to an adult. If someone is struggling, their friend should be understanding and seek out help.
This article was written as part of the The Junior Journalist Program allows high-school students an opportunity to report on topics important to them and communicate with their peers while receiving training in journalism and learning to think critically about information. To support the program and this publication’s participation in it, make a donation.
