Nowadays, students are often under a lot of pressure to succeed academically. Is it safe to say high school students are overworked? Let’s explore more about this topic.
High school can lead to a feeling of being overworked. Many students face a heavy workload of classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. All while trying to balance their social lives and maintain their physical and mental health.
This can take a toll on students, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even burnout. More than we have ever seen, high school students are depressed. If you want to learn why, check out the article!
Reasons High School Students Are Overworked
While it is crucial for students to challenge themselves and work hard to achieve their goals, it is also important for them to have the opportunity to rest and recharge. The question of whether high school students are overworked is a complex one, and the answer may vary from student to student, depending on their individual circumstances.
Academic Life
There are several reasons why high school students may feel overworked. One reason is the increasing academic demands placed on students. Many schools have high expectations for student achievement, and students may feel pressure to excel in their classes to get into a good college or university. In addition, the pressure to succeed academically can come from other sources, such as parents, teachers, and peers.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments can be a significant contributor to the feeling of being overworked among high school students. Many students have a significant amount of homework each night, which can take several hours to complete. This can be especially challenging for students with other commitments outside school.
Homework assignments can also be a source of stress for students, as they may feel pressure to complete them accurately and on time in order to keep up with their academic progress. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and burnout, as students may feel like they are constantly working without a break.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of homework assignments in improving student achievement has been a topic of debate among educators and researchers.
Some studies have found that excessive homework can be detrimental to student learning and well-being, while others have found that it can be beneficial in certain circumstances. This adds to the complexity of the issue and the debate over whether high school students are overworked.
Tests And Exams
Tests and exams can also contribute to the feeling of being overworked among high school students. These assessments can be a significant source of stress for students, as they may feel pressure to perform well to maintain their grades and academic standing.
In addition, tests and exams can be a significant time commitment for students, as they often require substantial preparation and studying. This can take up a considerable amount of time, especially if students have multiple tests or exams in a short period of time.
This can leave students feeling overwhelmed and overworked, as they may feel like they are constantly studying and preparing for assessments.
Furthermore, the high-stakes nature of tests and exams can also contribute to the feeling of being overworked. These assessments often significantly impact a student’s grades and academic standing, and students may feel like their entire academic career is riding on their performance.
Time Management
Another reason high school students may feel overworked is the increasing number of extracurricular activities and responsibilities they may be involved in.
Many students participate in sports, music, or other after-school activities, which can take up a significant amount of time and energy. In addition, students may also have part-time jobs or other commitments outside of school, which can further add to their workload.
It takes work to manage your time when you are first learning how to. High schoolers are first exposed to the reality of managing their time when they must juggle various aspects at once. From classes, homework, and tests to job shifts, chores, and their social life. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Unable To Unwind
Finally, the fast pace of modern life and the constant presence of technology can make it difficult for students to relax and unwind. With the proliferation of smartphones and other devices, students may feel pressure to constantly be connected and available, even outside of school hours.
Many find themselves struggling with “FOMO,” or Fear Of Missing Out. This can make it difficult for them to take breaks and recharge, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and overworked.
How To Help
It’s no secret that high school is hard. And unfortunately, high school students are overworked. So what could be done to aid them in every possible way?
In some aspects, adults, parents, friends, and even schools can aid teens by allowing them to have more free time. Nevertheless, teens struggling with being overworked must also learn how to unwind and destress.
A Student’s Schedule
One of the biggest differences between college and high school is the schedule. High schoolers are expected to manage six or eight courses successfully.
Schedules may differ throughout schools. Some have students attending every class every day. Others break it down, having three to four classes daily, alternating between two days.
To add to an already chaotic situation, students are forced to run across campus under five minutes to make it to their next class. There is barely any time to pass by the restroom, speak to a friend, eat a snack or even let the mind settle.
The idea behind cramming an unnecessarily heavy amount of learning into a couple of hours a day might sound good on paper. Nevertheless, it is not working for the majority of students.
Changing the schedule, allowing students to have time off, such as a study hall, or even just elongating their break in between classes can ease their stress.
Reduce, Renew, and Recycle Homework
The never-ending pile of work that comes with being student is ridiculous. If school has taught me anything is that the better you succeed, the more you receive.
In my experience, students in lower academically challenging classes and even intense classes took home less homework than students in complex classes. How is that even fair?
If teachers are unable to teach students what they need to know in the seven hours they spend at school, then the problem isn’t the student. Some like to argue that homework helps reinforce learning.
Though that may be true and helpful, the amount of homework teens have done in recent years is unnecessary.
Since high school students are overworked, schools should learn to reduce homework, renew students’ learning, and recycle their assignments.
Instead of making students practice writing essays over and over again until they get it right, teach them where they went wrong. Allow them to redo the same assignment they have already done to learn from their mistakes.
Teachers Unite
At times it can feel that your teachers are planning your doom together. Homework assignments are already taking so much time away from the countless list of things students need to accomplish. The last thing they want is to have all assignments piled up class after class.
Breaking down the days that students receive homework can lessen the burden of giving it all at once. Limiting the number of assignments allowed per week can keep homework to a minimum and make everyone happy.
For instance, what if each subject had a specific day to assign homework? Mondays for math and Tuesdays for science. Wednesdays are strictly for electives, followed by English on Thursdays, and Fridays for history.
Something as small as a schedule can ease teachers and students to become less overwhelmed with juggling too much homework. Rules like projects can only be assigned every three months can be an excellent way to remove stress from students.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the question of whether high school students are overworked is a complex one. Many factors can contribute to the feeling of being overworked. Especially aspects such as academic demands, time management, and the inability to unwind.
It is vital for students to find a balance between their academic and personal responsibilities. And for schools and educators to support students in managing their workload in a healthy and sustainable way.
