There is no universally agreed medical definition of stress but at its most simple, it is your body’s physical response to mental or emotional pressures and although school is a place to learn, grow and develop your skills, 45% of teens admitted to feeling stress under school pressures.

This was especially noticeable with the new GCSE exams being bought in for the first time, where before a student who took the old style GCSE exam would have sat 18 exams with a total length of 24 and a half hours, now compared to the new GCSE exams, a student would take 22 exams with a total length of 33 hours and the NSPCC have reported a surge in the number of young people seeking advice.

However it is not only stress levels that have increased but suicidal problems too. 29% of students have committed suicide and these were when they were facing exam results, died on an exam day or the day after one.

It’s not only exams that are causing a rise in stress levels but additionally homework which is a leading cause with 24% of parents saying it’s an issue. Reports find that students are averaging out to doing 12 hours of school work per day.

Looking at all the statistics, stress experienced among young people isn’t uncommon and isn’t an issue that should be taken lightly. Reports find that from an early age children are under pressure to do well and their mental health is being affected by constant reminders that “they are not good enough” or “you could do better” and overwork, get too much anxiety or have break- downs as a result of this.

I asked 15 students from Farringtons School in Chislehurst if they ever felt stressed from the pressures of school and if they think it is affecting young people as a whole and all 15 responded ‘yes’ including Rhea Patel who added “School firstly puts the stress of always doing well or getting good grades as well as the people surrounding you. I’m sure we all see others and wonder ‘why can’t I be like them?’”

So what are the effects and symptoms of stress on mental health?

• Headaches

• Increased depression, anxiety and irritability

• Heartburn

• Insomnia

• High blood sugar and pressure

• Increased risk of a heart attack

• Weakened immune system 

• Shaking, chills or hot flushes

• A racing heart and shallow breathing or hyperventilation

And much more – so it is important to tackle stress from these symptoms before it may become a long term problem, especially from the increased amount of issues among students related to mental health. You can manage stress by getting medical help, doing regular exercise, doing a relaxing activity, setting goals and priorities and staying connected with friends and family.

If you are overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health profession and know that you’re not alone, and remember stress at school is not the ‘be all and end all!’
“If stress burned calories I’d be a supermodel” – Mariam Butt

Raheela Butt - Farringtons School