Blog Post #4 – How does stress affect student learning and performance?

For my second round of research, I will be looking at the main causes of excessive stress in students. Understanding the root cause of all this stress will help me determine how much we can do to avoid them, and whether we need to avoid them in the first place. The information I gather during this round will help me going into my next round as well.

• Many students of all ages experience stress at school. According to WhiteSands Tampa, stress is the major factor that can lead students into drugs.
• So, what are some potential stressors for students?
• Many students worry about getting a good grade or even simply making time to study if there are multiple upcoming tests. Test stress doesn’t just affect struggling students, either. High-achievers also tend to experience a lot of stress about doing well on tests.
• Similarly, when students are overwhelmed or frustrated by homework, it makes it harder for them to complete assignments. This can cause a stressful cycle where homework piles up and students don’t have the time or energy to complete it all, leading to even more stress.
• Students with poor organizational skills tend to experience more stress in school. This is usually because they aren’t properly prepared with the tools or the understanding needed to learn. If those organization skills don’t improve they may continue to fall behind, leading to more stress and frustration about school (1).

• Many things, both situational and emotional, can become causes of stress in students. Teenagers are navigating a number of different pressures. While some focus more on academic expectations, others stem from peer pressure, which causes social anxiety for students.
• According to a study by Pew Research centre, academics are the top cause for excessive stress for students. A startling 61% of teens report feeling immense pressure to get good grades.
• The survey found that other causes of stress in high school students included body image (29%), fitting in with their peers (28%), and excelling in sports or other clubs and activities (21%). 
• Teens often carry stressful situations at home into the classroom, where they could already be feeling academic pressure. Arguing parents, bickering siblings, financial strains or an illness in the family are all potential stressors in high school students.
• As mentioned previously, academics are the leading cause of stress in students. This can be self-imposed stress by teens themselves, parent-driven through high expectations, or both. Regardless, meeting academic demands to please themselves or teachers, caregivers or parents can weigh heavily on student stress levels.
• While college or university may not necessarily be part of a teen’s next chapter, there are still plenty of things they are worrying about. Whether it is preparing to attend a trade school, join the military or enter the workforce full time, students are likely feeling stressed about what their lives will look like after graduation.

• 45% of students in high school admit to being stressed almost every day in school.
• 50% of middle school students reported feeling stressed over academics all the time, while 75% of high school students felt the same.
• Around 500 Japanese students below the age of 20 kill themselves each year.
• The U.S. ranks first as the country with the most stressed students.
• College students feel stress as well, with 45% saying they felt that way at a higher-than-average rate (3).

• Navigating social lives and relationships can be a huge cause of stress in students. Maintaining friendships while having other priorities can take a toll on a teenager’s mental health.
• Adjusting to routine changes and transitions are 2 more big stressors in students, especially during the transition periods between elementary and middle school and middle and high school. Having to adjust to a new environment, new workload, and group of people are not always easy for teenagers (4).
• Sleep is very important for a sound mind and effective mental health. Improper sleep causes students to develop sleep insomnia, which causes poor performance in class activities.
• Lack of parental support also causes students to develop stress and anxiety. As children require support and guidance in every step of their life, whether it is in studies or any other activities. Due to a lack of support in their work, they find it difficult to cope with their assignments, which will cause them to have stress and fear. A proper parent-child relationship is essential for overall learner development.
• Health issues are also one of the major reasons that cause students to develop stress. Health issues such as insomnia, genetic disorders, neurological factors, depression, disease, etc. can cause them to underperform in classroom activities (5).
• Things like upcoming events or presentations can also cause students excessive stress.
•  Stress can also result from traumatic or ongoing experiences, such as coping with parents’ divorce, public health crises, natural disasters, or community violence, as well as adapting to different cultural or social expectations or values (6).
• Many things that students are stressed about are out of their control.
• But stress can also come from within you, like fear and uncertainty about the future, unrealistic expectations, and overall negative thinking (7).

My third and final round of research will be centred around the strategies students can use to keep their stress levels healthy. I will also be looking into the consequences of extra stress, and all the ways students can reduce its effect on their daily lives. My goal with this round is to provide healthy ways for fellow students (and myself) to manage stress levels. Thank you for reading!

References:

1. Oxford Learning (2018) Common Causes of School Stress in Students | Retrieved from https://oxfordlearning.com/causes-of-school-stress/
2. Change to Chill (2024) Causes of stress in students | Retrieved from https://changetochill.org/about-us/blog/causes-of-stress-in-students/
3. Zauderer, S. (2026). 47 Student Stress Statistics (High School/College). Cross River Therapy
4. Hammond, D. (2023). Dealing with school stress: its causes and how to manage it. ThriveWorks
5. Pal, R. (2026). Top 7 Causes of Stress in Students and How to Manage Them. 21K School
6. American Psychological Association (2009) Students Experiencing Stress | Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ed/schools/primer/stress
7. University of Saskatchewan (2023) Managing Stress | Retrieved from https://students.usask.ca/articles/managing-stress.php