The US government spends hundreds of billions of dollars every year on education. However, a big budget doesn't mean that students are automatically well-equipped and geared for learning. US high school students in particular are barely coping with education and it could cost them their health and future.
The Pressures Of High School Education
In preparation for college, most high school students are exposed to high levels of stress. In addition to preparing for entrance exams, students need to work for their grades and do tons of homework and extracurricular activities in between.
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology reveals that stress may get in the way of a student's academic growth as well as negatively impact their mental health. While the study focuses on private high school students, lead author Marya Gwadz explains that public high school students feel the same. Naturally, stress can lead to low-performing students that are barely ready to tackle higher education.
"School, homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, repeat - that's what it can be for some of these students," co-researcher Dr. Noelle Leonard said in a press release via Science Daily. "We are concerned that students in these selective, high pressure high schools can get burned out even before they reach college."
"I go to a competitive high school in surburbia. The stress is killing me." https://t.co/xiGDBQIxTX @voxdotcom via @LEGOfoundation #HGSEa319
— Pasi Sahlberg (@pasi_sahlberg) March 29, 2016
High School Students Cope In Unhealthy Ways
The Atlantic shares that high schools often don't provide their students with the means to deal with stress. This is why some teens turn to drugs and alcohol to be able to deal with pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that underage alcohol drinking and substance abuse is rampant among this age group.
In addition to stress and pressure from school, high school students will have to contend with the consequences of underage drinking as well. An expert told the outlet that too much stress can negatively impact the mind and body.
Stress can induce feelings of anxiety, depression and health issues including heart, respiratory and immune system conditions. Gwadz also adds that substance abuse and alcohol in formative years may cause addiction in the future.
