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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
End High School Fatigue
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Riverdale High School senior Aubrey Williams writes that he’s worn out at 17 due to schoolwork and standardized testing overload.
“Teens today are simply too stressed and tired because teachers, schools and parents demand high scholastic achievement and don’t help students use their time wisely.
Fatigue affects teens mentally and physically. It becomes a large part of the struggle to do well in school. Testing, pressuring and rushing students wears them out.
Fatigue has prevented me from functioning properly.
During the past school year, I found myself waking up late for school, or simply not going because I was too tired. With the amount of stress and pressure I had at school, focusing became more and more difficult.
When I couldn’t focus, I missed out on what the teacher explained. I stayed up late to finish projects and sometimes had as much as six hours of homework.
Anyone might assume that students choose to overwork themselves. They don’t. They are simply assigned too much testing and work to finish in a limited amount of time.”
He suggests a study hall period for students (Do they not have that anymore? Not that I ever studied, but…), the oft-debated block schedule and a paring down of standardized tests. He also thinks Moms and Dads should ease up on assigning the chores (Do they do that anymore???) and kids - himself included - should manage their time better.
Are today’s high school students overworked?
