Are UK students under too much pressure?

They say that your school years are the best years of your life, and most of the time, they aren’t wrong. But, when it comes to the workload, being a student can often be an incredibly stressful period in a teen’s life. As a teenager, you are only beginning to find out who you really are as person, with lifelong interests and hobbies emerging. The added pressure of exams, coursework and extra-curricular activities can quickly distract you can become easily distracted from what’s really important in life. Luckily for students in today’s society, you can find the best essay writing service online, but this doesn’t always take the pressure off of students, and there are many reasons as to why. Social Activities Become Restricted . The older generation usually think of stereotypes about teenagers spending all of their time in their bedrooms, and you know what? They aren’t wrong! However, it’s not typically because of games consoles, many teenagers are shut up in the rooms in order to get a mountain of work done.  From learning how to revise for UCAT and other exams, to homework and coursework. With revision alongside homework and coursework, when do teenagers actually have a moment to enjoy their own activities? Think about it – most sixth formers will get home at around 4:30-5pm. They need to eat, wash, revise for exams, complete any outstanding coursework, and receive a full 8 hours of sleep every night. Amongst all of that, where is the time to chat to family members, or participate in other forms of entertainment such as watching their favourite TV show or practicing hobbies? Sure, work is stressful, but for the most part, what happens at work stays at work. Convinced That Bad Grades Are the End of the World Of course every student wants to receive the best grades possible. However, in today’s society, there is too much emphasis placed on the value of grades. Some students work so hard all year round but when it comes around to the real exam, they fall short and don’t receive the grade they wanted. But, it’s crucial to remember that you don’t need 7 A*s to do well for yourself. Richard Branson, for example, dropped out of school at 16 with very few qualifications and is now a billionaire. With the right work ethic and attitude, you can achieve anything that you want and a bad day in the exam hall will not change that. Childline Has Seen a Rise in Sessions The topic of students being under too much pressure isn’t just an opinion anymore, statistics prove it too. In 2016/17, Childline saw a sharp rise in calls coming through from stressed teenagers, with over 1,000 callers feeling anxious. This means that there has been a 21% increase within one year, solely from stressed teenagers calling the line. Furthermore, 28% of these calls took place in August, correlating with the time that students receive their exam results. One of the main reasons behind their anxiety was what others would think about them, including their parents and teachers. It’s sad that in today’s society, teachers tend to put pressure onto their students for the wrong reasons. Instead of feeling passionate about teaching students something new and seeing them progress as in individual, many teachers push their students for the simple reason of making their school look good. It’s clear that whilst hard work generally pays off, schools are putting too much pressure onto their students, which is affecting their overall wellbeing. The cure? A healthy balance of school life and private life, it’s that simple. Positive Media Group cannot be held responsible for goods or services offered by advertisers.