Latest Trends in Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse (Part 3): Academic Stress
THE LATEST (Part 3): Adolescents and Stress/Academic Stress
Students Who Write About Anxieties Do Better on Tests, Study Says
Psychologists at the University of Chicago have discovered a quick and easy way for stressed-out students to avoid choking on a high-stakes test: Take a few minutes right before the exam to write about all those fears. A study published online Thursday by the journal Science found that anxious students given 10 minutes to put their feelings down on paper performed significantly better than their peers who wrote about other topics or did nothing at all.” Click here to read the rest of this Los Angeles Times article.
Tips for Time Management and Student Academic Performance
“Time management is a skill that directly impacts your academic performance. Effective time management strategies make studying and schoolwork less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Academic stress occurs when students feel the pressure of cramming for exams, rushing through homework and getting minimal sleep because of disorganization and worry. Effective time management techniques should not only be applied to your academic life but to your overall schedule to achieve success and peace of mind.” Read more tips from eHow.com by clicking here.
Causes of Teen Stress
“Juggling school and a job, problems with parents, feeling left out and sex are a few of the many stressors that can overload a teen. Unchecked stress can lead to panic attacks, withdrawal, depression, violence, illness or substance abuse, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists. For that reason, adolescence is a time when it’s vitally important that you learn how to take care of yourself.” Read more of this article from Livestrong.com by clicking here.
Recommended Viewing: “Race to Nowhere”
“A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared and stressed-out youth.Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.” Click here to visit the “Race to Nowhere” website for more information, film trailers, and screening opportunities in your area.
Resource: KidsHealth.org
Click here to visit the TeenHealth section of this website to learn more about teen stress, the differences between good and bad stress, signs of stress overload and tips for keeping stress under control and building resilience.
Media Resource: Dr. Andie Overviews Teen Stress
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