Students Face More End-of-Year Pressure Than Many Adults Realize

By Sienna Wheeler

4/24/2025

Mentally, I want to give every ounce of my energy I have to put toward my school work and the things that are important to me, however when I am lacking much needed sleep due to staying up all night studying for AP exams and completing homework assignments, I physically cannot. 

I have a daily battle with energy and lack thereof.  I spend endless hours I am golfing, working out, and working after school each day.  Extracurriculars, combined with the daunting but necessary tasks of being a senior in high school, consume my everyday life. 

Sometimes I wish that the adults around me could keep track of my schedule, as I feel that the hours of endless tasks I must complete each day goes unrecognized.  I know that is something that is very far from possible, but it would reveal a lot.  It would show each teacher that their class is not the only class I am taking and that I have other work to complete besides theirs.  It would also reveal to some of them why I find it very difficult to keep my eyes open in their classes.

Sleep is critical for teenagers especially as our brains continue to grow and develop.  Falling asleep in class is becoming a routine issue especially during these busy spring months.  Many nights I am limited to only 4 hours of sleep which I know impacts my energy and how I act toward others.  I know that this is not something that affects just myself as many of my peers will say that they also get less than 6 hours of sleep per night.  

Unlike most of my peers though, I am not losing sleep because of being on my phone, I’m losing sleep because I am putting hours of work into all aspects of life which I care about. 

According to Nationwide Children’s, “The average amount of sleep that teenagers get is between 7 and 7 ¼ hours. However, they need between 9 and 9 ½ hours." 

As young adults, we are not only impacted physically, but we are also impacted mentally from the immense pressure we feel and the sleep deprivation that comes as a result. Again, teachers and adults may not know that students are dealing with mental health issues as many do not share this information.

As someone who is already anxious a lot due to mental health disorders, the stress and pressure of balancing the work/school life with a social life is a lot to deal with on a daily basis.  Many other students are also diagnosed with mental health disorders and a lot may stem from this stress.

According to Newport Academy, “... environmental factors—stress in particular—play a significant role in mental illnesses like teen depression. And for many adolescents, school is an ongoing source of stress. If a teen already has depression, the stress of school can make it worse. Or school-related stressors can eventually lead to depression.”

Many may argue that these problems are occurring due to the student overscheduling, and that it is still possible to manage school with work, sports, and extracurriculars.  But, every student is different and although some may deal with their stress on their own, I think getting support from others is the most beneficial for students especially during the end of the school year.

Current and future students will continue to be impacted by the stress from a packed schedule, but we can continue to grow support for the issue.  Finding your own support system and talking to teachers or trusted adults can allow for better time management strategies for balancing school, sports, extracurriculars, and life.  Although the end of the year can especially be a difficult time for many, getting help can allow for a less stressful and more enjoyable transition into summer.