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Back to School Stress

by Samantha Harris

I'll admit it. I love school! Generally speaking, that is. I'm not really into homework, lectures, tests, or pop quizzes (I hate those), but overall I can't think of anything else I'd rather be forced to do for five days a week. But even for a person like me, going back to school after a lazy summer can be just a tiny bit stressful.

Dreams and Reality

Have you ever had that dream where you go to school in your underwear? Or what about the one where you forgot your locker com? Am I the only one who's ever had real-life moments that feel exactly like those horrible dreams?

No, I didn't go to school in my underwear. But I have managed to show up in clothes that got more laughs than my undies ever could. And though I didn't forget the combination to my locker, I've developed a tendency to forget common sense and blurt out stupid things when I get nervous (especially around guys). Dreams? No. Nightmares? Bingo!

Stress for Success

I love school, but it doesn't always love me. No matter what I do, I can't find a way to succeed without getting stressed-out in the process. There's no smooth, easy way for someone with my average brainpower to get good grades. I can get them -- and I do -- but it takes a lot of work, and I have to endure the accompanying stress as well.

Throw in a few extra-curricular activities, and suddenly I'm overwhelmed. Running cross-country is something I really enjoy, but it's also something that I take seriously. I want to run well now, and I'd love to run in college some day. That's an awful lot of pressure to succeed.

Redefining 'Stress'

Emotionally speaking, 'stress' is defined, in part, as "a mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences". But when I looked up the general definition, it said that stress means "importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something". If I combine the two definitions, I see that my mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition should only be in response to something that is important or significant.

Getting upset about what people think of the clothes I'm wearing or about some silly thing I said is just not worthwhile. Working hard to get good grades or run better, on the other hand, are definitely pursuits that are worth a little stress. They are very important to me, so feelings of pressure are appropriate.

If I can deal with the stress of important matters, but eliminate the stress from silly little things, it'll be a much better school year all around.

Life Applications:

What are the things that stress you out?
What are the things that shouldn't bother you?
How do you combat stress?

Copyright 2004 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.