1. Too many activities
While in high school, some teens feel that filling their days with activities is a good investment. Colleges like a well-rounded student and besides, socializing in one form or another is the high school way. Unfortunately, teenagers doing too much at once give their brains reason to over stress; the pressure of a hectic daily schedule can become very negative in the long-term, increasing stress while decreasing creativity and innovative spirit.
2. Peer pressure
Our culture supports a number of falsehoods related to growing up as a teenager in America. Simultaneously, popular culture also points out exaggerated displays of teen behavior. Between these two very confusing points lies the truth about peer pressure. High school teens experience, generally, a lot of social pressure to conform by doing drugs and drinking alcohol, having sex, joining gangs and other unhealthy activities.
3. Stressful change in responsibilities
For teens, any change in responsibilities, whether they be academic, financial, familial or interpersonal, can be enormously stressful. Fluid friendships, family pressures and a full day at school and work can build stress up to dangerous levels. Understanding that teens are balancing a full load of responsibilities is essential to comprehending the reality of their complicated lives.
4. Growing up is hard to do
It's possible, if not likely, that the first year of high school is the hardest year for young people. Freshman year brings a variety of new and sometimes threatening conditions, and experiencing a loss of control is typical. This observation is scary because too much stress can damage the brain; teenagers who cope with high levels of stress struggle to learn new things during a time characterized by study and personal growth.
5. After-school activities reduce stress
Most high schools offer their students a range of extra curricular activities like sports teams, theater, clubs and other positive interactions. Participation in any of these kinds of activities can increase self-awareness and personal growth in teens; the development of these characteristics often lead to better coping skills and a healthy sense of independence.
