Academic Stress' Roots and Fruits

Education is an important part in a life of every child. At this stage, the academic performance of a

student plays a crucial role in deciding the next stage of their education, which in turn shapes their

career (Thakkar, 2018).

Stress is living in our environment, in our body, and in our thoughts. According to the Cognitive-

Transactional Model of Stress by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), stress is the dynamic relationship between

an individual and the environment in which a stimulus (whatever it is) disturbs an individual’s

homeostasis, causing him/her to respond to the situation with all available resources.

Today, when you are learning, you are suffering in bad stress. In school, some students are experiencing

bad stress especially academic stress, not only in high school and college but also in elementary.

Academic stress is defined as the body’s response to academic-related demands that exceed adaptive

capabilities of students (Alsulami et al., 2018). It involves mental distress regarding anticipated academic

challenges or failure or even the fear of the possibility of academic failure (Thakkar, 2018).

This problem that the students are facing is common in today's competitive generation whereas they

want to be the best for the satisfaction of their selves and their environment in exchange with unhealthy

living. Like a tree, academic stress has its roots and fruits.

I. Roots of Academic Stress

A. School and Teachers

School is a battleground for students whereas they sacrifice everything to save their academics from

losing. Too much homeworks, pressure of exams, poor academic performance, grade competition with
friends, poor interpersonal relationship with teachers and friends, heavy contents to master in a limited

time, unscientific academic evaluation procedure, imbalanced curriculum and extra-curricular activities,

high student-teacher ratio, non-conducive physical environment of classrooms, unhealthy teacher-

student interaction, irrational rules of discipline, ineffective teaching methodology, indifferent attitude of

teachers, over emphasis on weaknesses rather than strength of students, poor reading habits and time

management of students, lack of the student’s interest in a particular subject, the teacher’s corporal

punishments and high expectations of teachers are agonies for students (Gnawali, 2017).

B. Family

Academic stress was positively correlated with parental pressure and psychiatric problems, while

examination-related anxiety also was positively related to psychiatric problems (Deb et al., 2015). Many

of the students today are pressured by their family, especially the parents. Kaur (2014) pointed out that

the rising expectations of the parents in terms of scores and academic performance sometimes put extra

burden on children, which may sometimes cause many physical or mental ailments. Too much pressure

damages a child’s self-esteem, and can lead to severe consequences, including stress, headaches,

stomach aches, neck-aches, lack of sleep, and even depression and anxiety attacks.

C. Self

There are some students say that their selves are also a source of academic stress. 'Grade conscious'

students are the one of the types of students that stresses their selves academically in order to have a

high grade or high performance in different subject areas. High expectations and unrealistic ambitions

are the most common caused-by-self causes of academic stress.

D. Society
Society is a factor also in the increasing rate of academic stress among students. Vors states that faiilure

leads to a higher social stress level, because it is an important part of our self-identity, and is also how

people characterize other human beings. Judgments can also damaged a student's self-esteem and can

lead to higher extents like depression and anxiety.

II. Fruits of Academic Stress

A. On Mental Condition

The main target of stress is the brain and challenging its mental capacity. Depression and anxiety are the

most common effects of a mentally stressed body. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America

(ADAA) defines depression as an illness in which an individual experiences a persistent and severe low

mood. Anxiety is different from depression. It is characterized by feelings of overwhelming dread, rather

than just feelings of sadness.

A body filled with stress may also have memory and concentration problems. Researchers found that

certain hormones following a stressful or traumatic event can have the ability to impair memory.

Because of these mental health problems, many students are vulnerable to suicide. Among 8,761

students from Grades 7-9, Year 4 in the Philippines: 11.6% among 13 to 17 year olds considered suicide

and 16.8% among 13 to 17 year olds attempted suicide, based on the 2015 World Health Organization

Global school-based survey. The mental health of students, especially in terms of academic stress and its

impact, has become a serious issue among school and policymakers because of the increasing incidence

of suicides among students across the globe (Thakkar, 2018).

B. On Physical Health
Physical health is also in danger when stresses arouse. Low energy, headaches, stomach aches, tense

muscles, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, insomnia, nervousness and shaking are some of the effects on

physic health among people who are experiencing stress.

C. On Emotional State

Mood swings attack the body when a person is stressed. The research from 2014 showed that both

social and physical stressors can have a big impact on emotional well-being and mood.

Emotional stress that stays around for weeks or months can weaken the immune system and cause high

blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and even heart disease. In particular, too much epinephrine

can be harmful to your heart. It can change the arteries and how their cells are able to regenerate.

Academic stress is common and now, the rate among students is increasing. It is a huge problem for our

society whereas the students are the hope our nation. This problem has causes and effects but the

causes can be prevented. There are some ways to cope with stress and its effects.