During a regular school year, it wouldn’t be uncommon to find students worrying about their next big test, staying up late to finish a project, or trying to balance their academic and social lives. However, online school has redefined routines like never before, and in turn, stressors. Students are struggling to both lead a healthy lifestyle and succeed in school as life changes and the fine line between work and home blurs more and more.
Richard Montgomery High School freshman Claire Yu is tackling a much heavier workload and less time to complete it as she transitions from middle to high school, which, as she says, “is her main stressor.” To destress, she tries to take breaks from her work as frequently as possible. “I listen to calming music and go on walks outside,” Yu said.
Another anonymous student at Richard Montgomery High School is dealing with her own situation. “I was incredibly stressed at the beginning of the school year trying to meet deadlines for all of my classes,” she said. “I didn’t plan out my time well and it was hard keeping track of all of my assignments.”
This student is now trying to turn things around. “I’ve now started using a planner, which has definitely helped a little, and I’m taking more time for myself when I can. I try to draw, read books, just anything to get myself away from work and thinking about something else,” she said.
Even middle school students are feeling the stress of a virtual school year. Robert Frost Middle School student Justin Jiang is stressed by the amount of time he spends online. “I feel like every day we have to go on Zoom for hours and then when we’re done we still have to do more work outside of that,” Jiang said. “The work isn’t really that much though. It’s just that if you procrastinate, it really starts to stack up.” In his free time, to blow off steam and destress, he goes outside to play sports such as tennis and basketball.
Additionally, a new term, ‘Zoom fatigue’ has been coined to describe the tiredness, worry, or burnout that is associated with overusing virtual platforms of communication. It’s especially relevant to students now.
“Yes, I sometimes feel like I am experiencing Zoom fatigue,” said Yu, when asked about it. In order to combat it, she is trying to stay away from electronics whenever possible, especially during the breaks between classes, which she feels lucky to have.
“I don’t know if this is Zoom fatigue,” said Jiang, “but it does get really tiring to do everything online.”
Students from all grade levels are dealing with high stress levels, and keeping energized and continuing to pursue passions is harder now than ever before. But while others might seem screens away, it is important to remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone is going through this difficult process together and will continue to support each other, although far, far away.
Article by Joy Jiang of Richard Montgomery High School
Photo by Ashley Neyra of Watkins Mill High School