Stress at The Science Academy
by Mukunth Indrajeeth, Russell Vinluan, and Daniel Zlochisty
Have you ever been stressed out over all the school work you have to do and wondered if you’re the only one who feels this way? Recently, students at The Science Academy STEM Magnet took part in a survey to find out how much stress they have, the common sources of that stress, and the coping strategies that they use. More than 100 students responded to the survey, which included multiple-choice questions and scales on stress levels. We feel that examining these responses could help our school community create better support systems and wellness programs for our students. We also found many effective stress-coping methods that might help you, too. Read on to discover what causes stress for our students and how they manage it, which could help you or someone you know feel less overwhelmed.
Stress isn’t just a vague concept at The Science Academy; it’s something students feel every day. Whether it's homework, classwork, or preparing for tests, there are many situations that can cause stress. The Science Academy is known for its advanced curriculum, and that’s where many students get their stress from. With constant deadlines, pressure builds quickly. Students often struggle to manage their time between homework, school projects, and extracurriculars. Procrastination also plays a role in this stress, especially when students feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. That can make work pile up and add even more pressure. Grades add another layer of stress, with many students feeling like they have to maintain straight A’s, especially for our high school students. Also, different subjects can cause people stress, depending on how easy or difficult you find Science, Math, History, or English. According to our survey, most students reported having an 8 out of 10 level of stress. We asked which subject causes the most stress and Science was the top choice, with 62 people voting for it as the most stressful. Most people voted for homework as the main cause of stress, which is often due to procrastination by students.
What subject causes you the most stress?
Our survey at the Science Academy STEM Magnet revealed that the majority of students (about 69.2%) feel that this school year is more stressful than the last year, as seen in the chart below. Out of 107 responses, only 14.3% reported feeling less stressed than last year, while 16.5% said their stress levels remained about the same. This data shows a concern about student well-being, especially in high-pressure academic environments like ours. The increase in stress may be linked to tougher coursework, higher expectations, or effects from prior academic challenges like bad grades. These may cause stress by reminding students of issues with previous teachers’ expectations in workload, grade criteria, or course requirements. Understanding these causes of stress is crucial for educators and families who want to support students more effectively and build healthier learning environments.
So far, is this year more stressful than last year?
Despite the pressure, students find creative ways to cope. Some turn to hobbies like drawing, listening to music, or sketching to unwind after a long day. Others rely on physical activity like walking, stretching, or short workouts between study sessions. This helps release tension and improve focus. Digital tools also play a role. Apps like Headspace offer meditation and breathing exercises that students can use to calm themselves before tests. A comparison of coping strategies could show which methods are most popular and how they vary by age or stress level. Our survey results show that the most popular forms of coping with stress were listening to music, with 58 votes; playing video games, which had 41 votes; and playing sports, with 37 votes. The least picked coping method was writing in a journal with 0 votes, which is surprising because writing in a journal is supposed to be good for helping you cope with stressful situations.
Now let’s get the freshman perspective from 9th grader Jasper Gabrielsen:
While it’s true that middle school can be a stressful time, many students feel that the transition to high school ratchets up that stress to new levels. Everyone knows stress can be detrimental to both your mental and physical health if not managed properly. When students are overloaded with assignments and expectations, it all of a sudden becomes harder for them to focus and stay motivated in school. Many begin to experience anxiety, lack of sleep, and even physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Stress can make it difficult for students to be their best selves at school, often leading to lower grades and reduced participation in class and extracurriculars. As freshman Ryan Imani explains, “When I’m stressed about homework, I can never have a good basketball game.” According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, nearly half of all American high schoolers report feeling stressed by school-related tasks, and many say they don’t have enough time to manage it all. This shows how stress can seriously affect students’ academic performance and overall well-being.
Many new freshmen at Science Academy are already feeling the pressure that comes with adjusting to high school. Ryan said that moving from middle to high school wasn’t the smooth transition he expected it to be. His response represents a trend among students at challenging high schools when students begin to take multiple AP and college courses. On top of that, knowing that your GPA now matters for college admissions adds an additional unwanted layer of stress. These new responsibilities and academic challenges can make it difficult for students to find balance, showing that stress is a real and growing issue among Science Academy high school students.
The National Institute of Health states that stress and anxiety in students and teenagers in general are directly causing mental health issues, potentially leading to psychological disorders. For some students, however, the new year at school seems to be a breeze. Student Shivansh Pandey says that, "Although I do sports, extracurriculars, advanced classes, and more, it hasn’t been too difficult on me and I feel pretty good about this year so far.” This goes to show that while many students across the country are feeling burnt out from their school work load, there’s still a significant population of kids who don’t and are still going strong despite the difficulties of school.
In summary, stress among students is a serious issue that affects their learning, motivation, and overall health. Understanding how to reduce heavy workloads, social pressure, and lack of support that causes stress can help schools and families take steps to assist it. For those seeking more information, organizations like the American Psychological Association and local school wellness centers offer helpful guides on managing student stress. If schools continue to recognize and address this problem, future students will have a much better chance to succeed academically while also maintaining their mental and emotional well being.
Back to Mukunth, Russell, and Daniel, we looked for solutions to all of this stress. According to the Harvard Summer School, here are a few techniques that can help students deal with stress at school:
Keeping a journal
Getting plenty of exercise
Spending time outside in nature
Eating healthy, regular meals
Making sure you get enough sleep
Meditating
Downloading an app that provides relaxation exercises like Headspace and Calm
Limiting excess caffeine in soft drinks or coffee, especially in the evening
Reaching out to friends or family members who help you cope in a positive way
Making time to do fun things
The results of our survey reveal just how deeply stress affects students at The Science Academy STEM Magnet. From academic pressure to time management struggles, the challenges are real, but there are also coping strategies. Whether it's music, movement, or sleep, students are finding ways to stay balanced in a demanding environment. By understanding these patterns, hopefully teachers, families, and school staff can work together to help us to decrease our stress. While it’s true that stress is often part of The Science Academy experience, with the right methods and guidance, it doesn’t have to overwhelm you.
