In the demanding world of academics, the word “stress” has become synonymous with homework, sports and deadlines. A new school year can mean an unfamiliar environment, different teachers and piles of work that may be easy to get swept underneath. Learning methods that best suit their needs can relieve stress and make a significant difference in students’ lives.
Taking care of physical and mental health is vital for balancing stressful situations. Sophomore Cheyenne Khan offers a personal perspective on confronting stress head-on.
“I handle stressful situations by evaluating the root-cause of my stress and finding solutions to it,” sophomore Cheyenne Khan said. “An example of this is when I failed a test and retraced my steps, relearned the material and tried better again.”
For some, self-awareness is the key element in overcoming challenges. By recognizing her mistakes and taking proactive steps to improve, she changed a setback into an opportunity for growth.
Puyallup High School guidance counselor Jaime Mercer offers a practical first step in managing stress.
“Start with prioritizing. Make a list or calendar with deadlines so you can plan and break it into manageable pieces,” Mercer said.
By organizing tasks into smaller segments, students can alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed and gain a sense of control over their workload. However, students don’t have to face this stress alone; a strong support system can make a major difference.
Puyallup High School guidance counselor Meg Kozar highlights the potential of collaboration with peers.
“Study groups, meet up to get homework done and remind each other,” Kozar said.
Teachers also play an important role in supporting students’ mental health. Jonathan Rouse, a French teacher at Puyallup High School, notes the subtle indicators of stress in his students.
“Fatigue, exasperation, physical sighing, sleeping or being unresponsive,” Rouse said. “Students who are stressed out or overwhelmed tend to shut down and disengage.”
Outside of school and academics, Kozar emphasizes the value of self-care.
“Do something that relieves your body from stress. Exercise, listen to music, or go on a walk,” Kozar said.
Rouse utilizes a range of supportive approaches to check on his students.
“I can break up the work, talk to them about their other five classes, make a reasonable timeline to make up any work and make an alternate due date process with them,” Rouse said.
However, he acknowledges the obstacles he and others may face when trying to assist stressed students.
“Convincing them that what I’m saying is sincere and having them believe that our intentions are good and that we do care can be a challenge,” Rouse said. “Once students feel that a teacher really cares, things start to change.”
