High school can be an exciting time for students, but it can also come with a lot of pressure. Between academics, extracurricular activities, social expectations, and thinking about the future, many students say they experience different kinds of stress in their daily lives.

For some students, balancing school and activities is one of the biggest concerns. Sophomore Zanna Englar explained that keeping up with grades while participating in extracurricular activities can sometimes feel overwhelming. “Something I worry about is definitely grades,” Englar said. “I personally do a lot of extracurriculars and am very busy after school. I am always concerned that my grades will drop and I won’t be able to participate in said activities.”

Other students say their worries focus more on planning for the future. Junior Brooke Suter shared that thinking about what comes after high school can be stressful at times. “Right now, the thing I worry about the most is my future, especially with things like preparing for my mission and figuring out what comes after that,” Suter said. She also explained that balancing schoolwork with sports and planning ahead can be challenging. “School can be stressful sometimes, but a lot of my stress comes from thinking about what I should be doing to prepare for the future and making sure I am on the right path.”

Teachers also notice the pressures students face. Teacher Jordan Madsen said that comparison and social media can play big roles in student stress.  “I hear a lot about comparison, especially among girls in my classes,” Madsen said. “Many students feel like they are not pretty enough, smart enough, or popular enough, and social media plays a big role in that.” She also explained that social media often shows unrealistic versions of people’s lives. “On social media, we see people at their best, but we don’t see the bad days or the many pictures taken before the one that is posted.”

Madsen believes that finding balance can help students manage these pressures. “Setting limits on time spent on social media and focusing more on relationships, exercise, and time outside could make a big difference in students’ mental health,” she said.

While students at Star Valley High School face many different worries, many are learning how to manage their stress while continuing to work toward their goals for the future.