I have to study! My grades are so bad! I have to do well on the SAT and ACT to get into college. I need to do whatever I can to get a college scholarship. What extracurriculars do I need to get into the Ivy League Schools? If I bring home another B my parents will ground me.
I AM SO STRESSED OUT!
Today more than ever, teens are under an extraordinary amount of academic pressure. Worries about grades or test scores are common things our teen clients bring up during counseling sessions. Academic pressure leads to extreme stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm. These feelings can make school and even your home life feel unbearable. But, the good news is, there is a way to enjoy school and your personal life without stress getting in your way. In this post, I’ll discuss academic stress and give you three tips. They will help you cope with the emotions you’re experiencing. Research shows that teens are currently more stressed than ever before. According to a Pew Research study, 70% of teens report that stress is a major problem in their life or the lives of their peers. This illustrates how common stress is amongst teens. So, you’re not alone. It can be very easy to think that everyone else has it all together. Especially when you’re on social media and seeing your peers post only the good parts of their lives. But, in reality, if you asked your friends they would likely report dealing with some stress in their life.
In time, stress leads to a variety of other mental health concerns. This may include anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. So, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. You must address these emotions so they don’t boil over and derail your life and happiness.
Here are three things you and other teens can do to deal with academic pressure and stress:
Communicate Your Stress
It is very important that you talk to others about the emotions you’re experiencing. This can be very challenging as it’s hard to open up and be vulnerable with others. But, it is very important. Sometimes, it can be helpful to make a list of supportive people in your life. Choose people that you can talk to about the feelings you’re having. Then, role-play the conversations you want to have with them. Practicing these ahead of time makes it much easier to have a conversation when you’re nervous.
Ask for Help
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it shows how strong and self-aware you are. This is hard to do, especially when you’re a teenager because you may not want others to know you’re struggling. I get that, I really do. But, I want you to ask yourself this. If the people you care about are having a hard time, wouldn’t you want to know about it too? Then, if you’re still feeling nervous, think about exactly what you want help with. When you can ask for help, give specific details on what you need and when you need them. This helps others be successful when helping you solve the issues you’re having. Here’s an example: Say you need help boosting your grades in science class. Identify someone who can help you improve them. Then, ask them for exactly what you need. You could say something like “I need help studying for our chem test. I don’t understand the material covered last week. Could you study with me this week after school?”
Teens, Find Some Balance in Your Life
Creating a balance between the world of academia and things that bring you joy is very important. Especially when you’re under a lot of pressure and stress. If you only focus on academic pursuits then you will get burnt out very fast. So, think about and make a list of things you like to do for fun. That may be:
- Playing a video game
- Bowling
- Skateboarding
- Reading a (fun) book
- Or hanging at the mall with your friends
Then, make time in your schedule to do that! But most of all, let yourself enjoy that time and use it to recharge your battery. Spend time doing what you love. Having “you-time” refreshes you so you can tackle challenging academic tasks later!
Begin Counseling for Teens
You may still be struggling with the stress and the pressure of academia. If so, consider talking with a teen therapist. They can offer you a variety of tips to deal with this stress. Together, you can learn to cope with any future challenges that may arise in the future. We would be honored to help you from our Atlanta, GA-based counseling practice, or anywhere in the state via online therapy! To begin counseling for teens, follow these steps:-
Meet with a caring young adult therapist
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Start overcoming past trauma
Other Services Offered at Wellview Counseling
Counseling for teens isn’t the only service provided at our Atlanta, GA-based counseling practice. We offer anxiety treatment, PTSD and trauma treatment, chronic illness counseling, and therapy for postpartum anxiety and depression. We are happy to also offer young adult therapy, play therapy, child counseling, family therapy, individual counseling. Learn more about our social skills groups for kids, young adult support groups, and parent education classes. Or, learn more about our services via online therapy in Georgia. Contact our Atlanta area mental health clinic to learn more today!