Walk through the hallways at Brookline High School, and you’re almost guaranteed to hear the words “I’m so stressed.” At this point, it’s become background noise. Data from the 2023 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey confirms this reality, stating that “school is the most common source of stress, reported by 48% of youth.” But the fact that it’s said so often should probably concern us more than it does. It’s time we rethink the high school experience; stress shouldn’t define it.
For many students, including myself, as the day progresses, so does the stress. One assignment alone might be manageable, but when every class assigns something major at the same time, it quickly becomes overwhelming. I’ve stayed up past midnight multiple times, just trying to finish everything. I’ve seen friends skip lunch or cry over a single test. It’s the weight of thinking everything must be done perfectly, or you risk lowering your grades. And even though we’re constantly told grades aren’t everything, we continue to treat them as if they define us.
The competition only adds to the pressure. Comparisons happen without anyone saying a word, pushing students to constantly prove themselves. Guilt sneaks in for taking breaks, missing academic opportunities or simply being human. It follows students into the cafeteria, into group projects, even into their sleep. It affects how we learn, how we socialize and how we see ourselves.
I don’t believe teachers want to create this level of stress. Most of them care deeply about their students and their success, but their good intentions are powerless against the weight of this pressure. Even small gestures—acknowledging a heavy week, leaving space for conversation, recognizing when a student is overwhelmed— can really make a difference to the students’ entire week. A small gesture gets appreciated by students and helps them navigate their upcoming assignments. Acknowledging students’ stress doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means recognizing that students are human and sometimes need space to manage the weight of everything happening at once. However, these moments of empathy cannot compensate for a structure that consistently overloads students. This points to the need for systemic change that addresses the root causes of student stress while recognizing that no single reform can fully resolve the pressure students face.
To address this, we need structural solutions. Optional short extensions or flexible deadlines could give students a bit of breathing room. Many teachers do give optional extensions, but many don’t, which becomes unfair for many students. Small “no-stress” windows during the month, where no major tests or projects are assigned, would allow time to catch up. Short check-ins between teachers and students let students voice when they’re overwhelmed. And most importantly, normalizing breaks and self-care would remind students that it’s okay to pause without feeling guilty.
This isn’t about blaming teachers or complaining. It’s about pointing out a toxic norm that has become part of the high school experience. School should challenge students, but it shouldn’t lead to constant exhaustion.
If so many high school students are always stressed and tired, maybe it’s worth asking why that’s become so normal.
