What Students Say

More data to share, folks.  We have reviewed all the data in the category regarding what students can do to alleviate stress.  This category probably felt a little weird for some students.  After all, students aren't assigning homework, putting pressure (necessarily) on themselves to get As, and, generally, in control of many of the exterior factors that contribute to stress.  When we brainstorm on root causes of stress, very nebulous causes, like the culture of Orinda, come up.  What can students do up against these factors?  Well, this is precisely what we wanted to explore when we asked you the question. Certainly, students play a role in developing their community.  And in that, students have power to change their reality.  Perhaps not absolute power, but power, nonetheless.

Here is what students are saying:

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop competing with classmates. Stop sharing grades.
2. Be more kind and accepting. Support each other to do well and collaborate on work.
3. Procrastinate less. Eliminate distractions and plan ahead.
4. Stop stressing out all of the time. Things will work out, you will get into college. Be resilient.
5. Don’t do drugs, stop cheating, talk to your teachers. There are a lot of small things that we can do.
6. Take easier courses that are the best fit for you. Eliminate activities if you are overwhelmed. Be realistic about what you can handle.
7. Engage in self-care. Relax. Take time for yourself.
8. Sleep!
9. Work harder. If you do better in class, you will be less stressed.
10. Have more school spirit! This should be a fun place to be.

And, because I just really am a sucker for a colorful chart, the distribution is as follows:

Could we do this?  Could we stop comparing ourselves to each other?  Could we celebrate successes without diminishing those who are struggling?  The two top responses are to stop being competitive and to be more kind and accepting. Interestingly, these are really both saying the same thing.  Work hard, be nice. It doesn't sound outside of the realm of possibility.

Thank you, students, for sharing your thoughts.  Your teachers and parents will be looking at this and thinking about it with you.  And, because you all are generally more eloquent and astute than me, I will finish this post with a student quote from the survey:

“I think that students at Miramonte are so caught up in trying to do well at everything all the time.  I think we need to make things to look forward to, even if it is just something like having a good lunch or wearing your favorite clothes. But, above all, sometimes we need to not demand so much from ourselves. Yes, always try your best, but if it is 3:00 am and you still have more work to do, just accept that it wasn’t possible to finish it, get sleep, and look for other ways to make it up later.”