Stressors from Academic Studies and Coping Mechanism of Senior

High School Students Enrolled at SJA

Chapter I: Introduction
Background of the Study
Stress is very visible in life; it is something that we can’t stop. Stress is the feeling of being
overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure. Stress, according to
Auerbach and Grambling (1998), is an unpleasant state of mental and physiological activity that
people feel in situations that they perceive as threatening or stressful posing a harm to their well-
being. This is one of the things that are met by senior high school students. As a part of the K-12
curriculum, SHS is obliged for everyone to attend to. Senior high school is different from junior
high, where before there was a fixed subject and now different subjects every semester. A new
environment means there is need for adaptation especially with the senior high school students.
Hence, stress level of students will be going to be higher compared before in junior high school.
Academic stress is anxiety and tension associated with studying and education. There is a great
deal of pressure associated with furthering their education. a research study (Abouserie, 1994),
says that students experience academic stress at predictable times throughout the semester.
Studying for exams, grade competition, and the large amount of content to master in a short
amount of time is the greatest source of academic stress (Abouserie, 1994). Academic stress is
especially severe in students who are unable to finish their work and have a hard time to
maintain a healthy balance between their school, family, and friend, as well as their social and
intellectual interests. Fear of academic failure as a result of these assignments is a significant
stressor also (Kolko, 1980).
Academic stress among students has long been studied, and experts have discovered a number of
factors that contribute to it. Senior high school students have a variety of academic and non-
academic duties, all of which can have an effect on their well-being. Adapting to a new
environment, overworking, not having enough time to perform academic tasks, preparing for and
taking examinations, and feeling under pressure to succeed are all examples of academic stress
(Beiter et al., 2015; Vizoso and Arias, 2016).
Academic stress often results to physical and psychological consequences, especially when stress
is perceived negatively or becomes extreme. Effective time management, social support, positive
reappraisal, and participation in relaxation pastimes are frequently used by students to relieve
stress (Murphy & Archer, 1996). Academic environments are particularly stressful because of
the expectation to do well in exams or tests, as well as the time allotted (Erkutlu & Chafra,
2006). This is likely to have an impact on social interactions both within and beyond the school,
as well as on the individual person's life in terms of dedication of achieving the desired goals. 
As a result, coping with stress is a critical component that influences whether and how
individuals seek medical care and social assistance, as well as how they trust expert advice
(Passer & Smith 2007). There are many ways on how one student can cope up with stress, but is
divided into two. First is to cope with stress internally: within yourself or self-assessment.
Second is to cope with stress externally: available resources and people in your environment.

Objective of the Study

The study has the following objectives:
 To examine the different stressors of senior high school students from their academic
studies.
 Understand the effect of these stressors to senior high school students.
 To have solution on how to cope up with academic stress.
Statement of the Study
1. What are the various stressors of senior high school students from their academic studies?
2. How does it affect them as a student? Does is have a positive or negative effect?
3. How do students cope up with various stressors?
Significance of the Study
The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of stress of students in regards of their
academic studies. Some solutions may be developed as a result of this research, which may assist
students who are experiencing academic stress in overcoming it. The outcome may act as a voice
for students who are experiencing academic stress, allowing them to express themselves and
allowing others to notice and assist them as a result. For some students, the outcome may serve
as a wake-up call that academic stress is no laughing matter.
The outcome may act as a warning to teachers that some of their students require immediate
assistance. The outcomes of this study may motivate them to take steps to aid others. The
outcome may also serve as a reminder to parents to monitor their children's mental health on a
regular basis. Instead of placing their children under academic stress, the outcomes of the
research may motivate them to spend more quality time with them.
Scope and Delimitations
This research is focused on finding out the different kinds of stress senior high school students of
Saint Jerome’s Academy with the focus on academic stress and coping mechanisms. The
research also investigates the causes and effects of academic stress on students.
This study does not cover the symptoms of academic stress. It only focuses on senior high school
students that are enrolled for the academic year 2022-2023.