Seniors here at Uni are, of course, nearing the end of their stay at our campus; so, this is the best time to hear out their experiences and receive tips and pointers on how to make high school a breeze. Who better to get advice from than the people who have been through the trials of high school?

Managing stress is something high school students are bound to face. While a few seniors did not go through stress, others say that keeping a level head and staying focused will aid in overcoming the stress of high school. Seniors noted that the top three best ways to prevent and or prevail over stress are, asking for help be it mental health or academic-wise, having a group of friends that can answer your questions, and being close with your teachers. 

Here are other things seniors have explicitly stated about stress prevention/relief:

– Stay ahead of due dates and know what comes next

– Have a group of people to emotionally support you

– Pursue your hobbies when possible

– Avoid procrastination by any means possible

– Force yourself to forget about the stress that came up during the week

– Give yourself time away from school

– Enjoy some alone time every once in a while

Here are some facts about stress in high school students from this year:

1. 45% of students admitted to being stressed every day in high school.
2. 61% of students between the ages of 13 and 17 are stressed over making sure they get good grades.
3. The United States comes in first place for the country with the most stressed students.
4. 55% of students in California are stressed.

To avoid burnout, which can be a common thing among freshmen who are anxious and adjusting to the new, faster-paced environment that is Uni. The top three things seniors recommended were getting lots of sleep, taking breaks when necessary, and keeping up with assignments. 

Here are more ways to avoid burnout, according to seniors:

– Set goals for the near and far future 

– Manage your time wisely

– Have close friends or a support group on standby to help you when you may be in need

– Know your limits

– Make sure to give yourself lots of encouragement

– Have the ability to power through tough times

See if you’re in danger of becoming burned out with this checklist, are you…:

• Feeling unmotivated or uninterested?
• Having trouble focusing?
• Noticing your physical health depleting?
• Having a sudden lack of creativity?
• Noticing a decrease in your academic performance?

If you checked off more than two of these, you should follow the markers that seniors have pointed out for you, it could be the defining factor between your future success or failure.