Stress is a common experience for many students in school.

There are
several factors that can contribute to stress, including academic
performance, social pressures, and personal issues. Academic
performance is one of the primary sources of stress for many students.
They may feel pressure to perform well on exams, complete
assignments on time, and maintain a high grade point average. This
pressure can be even greater for students who are pursuing competitive
programs or who are in their final year of studies. Social pressures can
also contribute to stress for students. They may feel pressure to fit in
with their peers, maintain a social life, and participate in extracurricular
activities. The pressure to balance social activities with academic
responsibilities can be a significant source of stress for some students.
Personal issues, such as family problems, financial difficulties, and
health concerns, can also contribute to stress for students. These issues
can impact a student's ability to focus on their studies and can lead to
feelings of anxiety and depression. It is important for students to
develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress.

What’s the cause? The number of homework assignments. A survey

showed that teachers assign an average of 3.5 hours of homework a
day, which equates to 17.5 hours a week. However, researchers state
that less amount of homework is necessary to improve performance.
This is because there is only a positive correlation between homework
and academic performance within the first 90 minutes of completing
homework. Once students hit the 90 minutes to 2.5-hour mark,
homework seemed to provide limited benefit as students are no longer
able to focus
Too much homework can result in burnouts, less active learning,
students feeling overwhelmed, and can stop them from committing to
their other responsibilities.

Students in secondary and tertiary education settings face a wide range

of ongoing normative stressors, which can be defined as normal day to
day hassles such as ongoing academic demands. Accordingly,
secondary/high school (defined here as junior/lower secondary
education and senior/upper secondary education)] (UNESCO,
Citation2012) and tertiary (defined here as post-secondary education)
(UNESCO, Citation2012) students commonly self-report experiencing
ongoing stress relating to their education, which we refer to as
academic-related stress, such as pressure to achieve high marks and
concerns about receiving poor grades. For example, the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently
conducted a survey involving 72 countries and consisting of 540,000
student respondents aged 15–16 years. On average across OECD
countries, 66% of students reported feeling stressed about poor grades
and 59% reported that they often worry that taking a test will be
difficult. The OECD further found that 55% of students feel very anxious
about school testing, even when they are well prepared. As many 37%
of students reported feeling very tense when studying, with girls
consistently reporting greater anxiety relating to schoolwork compared
to boys (OECD, Citation2017). This data demonstrates that education
and academic performance are a significant source of stress to
students. The impact of this ongoing academic-related stress to student
outcomes and well-being has not been comprehensibly explored.
Therefore, the current narrative review explores the impact of
academic-related stress on students’ academic performance, mental
health and well-being.
Summary:
Stress is a common experience for many students in school, and it can
be caused by a variety of factors, including academic performance,
social pressures, and personal issues. Academic pressure, the need to fit
in with peers, and personal problems like family issues or health
concerns can all contribute to student stress levels. It is important for
students to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, and
for schools to provide resources like counseling services and stress
management workshops.

Commentary:
Stress is a significant issue for students, and it can have negative effects
on their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being.
While some level of stress can be motivating and help students perform
better, excessive stress can be detrimental. It is important for educators,
parents, and students themselves to recognize the signs of stress and
take steps to manage it.

Schools can play an important role in supporting students by providing

resources and creating a supportive environment. This can include
counseling services, stress management workshops, and academic
support. However, it is also important for students to take responsibility
for managing their own stress levels and developing healthy coping
mechanisms. This can involve activities like exercise, meditation, or
talking to a trusted friend or family member.
Overall, it is important for everyone involved in education to recognize
the impact of stress on students and take steps to address it. By working
together, we can create a more supportive and healthy learning
environment for all students.

Reflection:
I can tell you that stress is an important issue that affects many
students. It is important for all stakeholders, including educators,
parents, and students themselves, to recognize the causes and effects
of stress and take steps to manage it. This can involve developing
healthy coping mechanisms, seeking support from mental health
professionals, and creating a supportive learning environment. By
working together, we can help students manage their stress levels and
thrive academically and personally.