Anxiety and stress are constantly increasing among teenagers at the end of the school year. A few factors are linked to this, such as complex social relationships, family problems, academic pressure, and, most of all, the fact that the last trimester counts for much more than the others.
Of course, psychological help has been put in place for them in schools, for example, but overall demand exceeds supply.
Grades, which create a lot of stress for students, are unevenly distributed. The first and second semesters each count for 20%. In consequence, the third semester counts for 60% of the grade. Furthermore, in secondary 4 and 5 they usually take ministry’s exams which count for 50% of the final grade.
The fact that the exams count for much more at the end of the year is kind of a problem for students. “I’m pretty stressed by the end of the year because all the exams are coming at the same time.” Said Marianne in English concentration.
Following the Christmas holidays, students are already starting to be tired of school, but at least the spring break is not far away. Once that break is over, it starts to feel like summer outside, and some students already start working at their summer job, which means they have less time to devote to their studies.
For a few years now, Quebec high schools have been implementing a new approach to motivate their students: if a student behaves well, attends their classes, and maintains an 85 percent average, they can be exempted from the final exam. It’s actually a really good idea and is appreciated by most, until students find out they are not exempt, which creates a lot of frustration. There’s also a lot of comparison that relies on that. “It’s nice to be exempted because it gives me the impression that all the efforts I made all year long finally paid off,” affirmed Charlee-Rose in secondary three.
Although schools are investing in remedial classes and support groups, stress remains a factor in the everyday lives of high school students.
Now the question remains: will schools and the government find a solution to resolve this important issue?
