Tessa Lomoro '26
Think about the amount of times in a day you feel that pit in your stomach, labored breathing, an increase in heart rate, or even dull headaches. As teenagers, you might feel this happens too many times a day, and I can empathize.
Mrs. Proseus, a PE and Health teacher at Fontbonne, agreed when asked if she sees the effects of stress on her students: “Yes I do. Particularly because I’m a teacher in health, so girls will share their experiences and how stress affects them on a daily basis.”
Students are specifically affected by stress, seen through the diagram (shown below). The difference in teen student pressure from doing well in school (61%) rather than other social pressures (an average of 24.75%) is drastic.
Nadia Sousou shares her struggles with stress, “It causes me to fall back on assignments because of procrastination. I also lose sleep.”
Stress also makes students prone to developing bad habits. According to the American Psychological Association, 40% of students both neglect home responsibilities and are irritable, overwhelmed, and tired as a result of stress, affecting their lifestyle and promoting these unhealthy habits into adulthood.
Although all high school students are affected by anxiety, freshmen have the extra advantage. Starting a new school with new classes, trying to make friends in a different environment, all while still maintaining your personal and inner self, is more difficult than it might seem. As I was a freshman last year, I can completely understand.
On a lighter note, there are ways freshmen can improve their pressure and anxiety, which can improve their daily actions, decisions, and lifestyle. Mrs. Prosues suggests, “To stay organized, put down their phones/get off social media, and take some time for self-care.”
Some strategies that have worked for me is to plan out my day, share how I’m feeling with others, and remind myself of everything to be grateful for in life. Nadia, Class of ‘24, shared advice for the freshmen class: “With schoolwork, try to not procrastinate and don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers or guidance.”
Freshmen, I hope you can understand that Fontbonne is a place to connect with both friends and teachers, sharing in the idea that we all want to help you. Although balancing stress might seem like a difficult concept, it helps to know you are not alone with pressure and anxiety, and can have the strength to manage and overcome it.
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