Exam season is vastly approaching, and they are an important part of everyone’s school career, so, typically, this time of year can get out of hand, and when you add the stress of everyday life, there can be some nasty effects.
Many students often find themselves overwhelmed at exam season, whether its midterms, finals, or even the end of the quarter. With the school year coming to an end there are constant reminders to turn in your work and bring your grades up. So, when does it get too much for someone?
This is called being overwhelmed. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of being overwhelmed is to be “buried or drowned beneath a huge mass.” Everything pushing on you at once. This can bring up some problems, especially for your mental health.
The potential effects of being overwhelmed lead to increased anxiety rates. Colleges recently have been seeing major increases in dropouts, and it doesn’t just stop at emotional effects, there can be physical effects as well. With the pressure of exam season weighing on your mind it can also weigh on your body as well.
Places around the world have started to recognize the dire need for support for teens. In this past year, Canada has started to show their concerns for mental health in children.
According to the Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health, the rates of suicide are 6 times higher than before. The same study shows that this problem is global with rising risks such as climate change, political issues, and social norms. Another country that has recognized these dangers is Scotland, where these issues are their top priority. Scotland has a big program called CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) that has had increased participation in recent years.
Others have been trying to combat these issues, especially in high schools. Recently, Dos Pueblos, a high school in Santa Barbara County, opened a wellness center. This center is open all day for students to stop by and get some advice. It’s full of comfortable furniture, fun activities, and multiple coordinators.
An official for the school said, “Everyone can benefit from these types of resources and services.” They explain that they don’t want to see this as a shameful thing and that everywhere should have a resource such as this.
More studies have shown other things could be effective in combating poor thoughts. Colleges have shown that a risk-taking sport works very well to decompress after a stressful day or week.
This is why multiple kayaking teams have started to appear on campuses across the country. Florida has a lot of water sports everywhere, maybe give one a try?
If sports aren’t for you there are other things you can try. Maybe first try to limit how much time you spend on social media, which is one of the leading causes of major issues.
No one is saying you have to give up on it or your favorite show. Small efforts could be to let more natural light in your room or open up a window. If you ever find yourself feeling down in the dark or notice someone acting a little off, please don’t be afraid to reach out to someone. Act on it before it gets worse.
988 – National 24-hour Suicide Hotline.
