How Do You Handle Academic Pressure?

Academic pressure is defined as “an experience in which a student is burdened by the demands of time and energy to achieve specific academic goals. The stress can come from a variety of potential sources and have a myriad of impacts on students both emotionally and academically.” A young person may experience self-imposed academic pressure and/ or can feel academic pressure from outside sources (e.g., trying to get accepted into a university, parents, the desire to fit in with peers, etc.). There are teenagers who experience mild academic pressure and are positively motivated by it, but the reverse is also true. Academic pressure can be hindering to an adolescent’s social and emotional growth and development. A young person, throughout his or her school-age years, is meant to learn academically, improve his or her social intelligence as well as learn how to be a self-motivating and well-rounded person. Fortunately, there are several ways to help reduce and alleviate academic pressure. Consider the following suggestions: 

• Exercise: Regular exercise can help your teen remain physically fit as well as provide a natural release of endorphins, elevating his or her mood.
• Explore relaxation methods: encourage your teenager to explore different relaxation tactics (e.g., meditation, journaling, listening to music, creating artwork, etc.)
• Ample sleep is imperative: sleeping is a fundamental and necessary part of life. Practicing proper sleeping habits will enable a young person to function at his or her sharpest, best self. 
• Eat nutritiously: food is the fuel one’s body needs to sustain itself. Eating healthy snacks and well-balanced meals can help arm a young person’s body with the essential minerals and nutrients needed to function best. 
• Ask for help: there is no reason a young person should struggle in silence. Teachers are there to support adolescents through their academic journey, so ask for help when it is needed. 
• Breathe: practicing deep breathing and mindfulness techniques can be incredibly helpful in mitigating academic pressure. 

There is no universally effective method to handle academic pressure, as every young person is unique. Some teenagers will require more support than others when navigating academic pressure. Keep a close eye on your teenager; maintain open lines of communication, model healthy behaviors, offer reassurance and appreciate your own parental limitations by nonjudgmentally pursuing professional support for your teen in moments of need. 

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Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, in the long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.

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