Unraveling the Impact of Academic Expectations on Youth

The following article discusses common symptoms that may indicate the presence of a mental health issue. It's important to note that while these signs can provide insights, a conclusive diagnosis should only be made by a qualified medical staff member. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's strongly recommended to seek professional assistance for accurate assessment and appropriate care. Your mental well-being matters, and seeking help is a positive step towards overall health.

Beneath the pursuit of knowledge lies a complex web of expectations that can shape, challenge, and sometimes strain the very fabric of our mental and emotional well-being. This article unravels the intricate interplay between academic expectations and our lives, shedding light on how these pressures can significantly impact us as young individuals.

The perfect storm

 students nowadays strive to excel in their studies, the weight of academic pressure can cast a shadow on their mental wellbeing. The confluence of high expectations from parents, teachers, and peers, combined with the desire to secure a successful future, can create a perfect storm of academic pressure. The constant need to perform at an exceptional level in exams, assignments, and extracurricular activities can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression. Thus, we may employ various coping mechanisms to manage academic stress, some of which might be detrimental. Unhealthy coping strategies, such as isolation or procrastination, can further deteriorate mental health and perpetuate a cycle of pressure. But how do we solve this? 

Prior to attempting to address these issues, we should learn how to determine the condition and fully acknowledge it and then we’re going to discuss what kind of help is available and how we can effectively handle our mental health challenges. First, it’s important to understand that it’s normal and common. University students are at a high risk of developing mental health problems, are less likely to seek help, and even if they do.. they face challenges due to the lack of available support. A more recent 2022 report found that as many as four in five students are impacted by mental health problems.

How can we tell that we’re struggling with mental health problems?

1. Changes in Behavior: Sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from social activities, loss of interest in hobbies, or avoiding interactions with friends and family.

2. Academic Decline: A noticeable drop in academic performance, missing classes, inability to concentrate, or reduced motivation to complete assignments.

3. Mood Swings: Frequent and extreme mood swings, ranging from sudden bursts of anger or irritability to persistent sadness or hopelessness.

4. Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or oversleeping, changes in sleep patterns, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

5. Appetite Changes: Significant changes in appetite, weight loss, or weight gain not attributed to physical health reasons.

6. Physical Symptoms: Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained physical complaints that aren’t linked to any medical conditions.

7. Isolation: Preferring to spend time alone and avoiding social interactions, even with close friends and family.

8. Loss of Interest: Losing interest in activities that once brought joy or satisfaction, and struggling to find pleasure in things.

9. Low Energy: Feeling constantly fatigued, lacking energy, and experiencing decreased motivation to engage in daily tasks.

10. Increased Anxiety: Intense and persistent worry, excessive fear, racing thoughts, restlessness, or panic attacks.

11. Negative Self-Talk: Engaging in self-criticism, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, and a distorted perception of oneself.

Bear in mind that no two people behave the same way when they're unwell and while these are all common signs of mental ill health, it isn't a checklist of symptoms. Students with mental health difficulties may experience all, some or none of the above. If you feel low, regardless of your symptoms, reach out and seek professional help.

What kind of help is available?

We’re all prone to various mental health challenges. And we should never feel lonely in this struggle. There are many different types of help out there to aid and guide us in these challenges and here are some of them:

• Getting appropriate medical advice: as in seeking a therapist for help 

• A strong support system: it’s important to build a strong and sustainable support system that we can go back to when struggling with our mental health. Talking about your struggles can be a huge relief. Don't feel like a burden, your family and friends want to help.

• Acquiring knowledge: on how to deal with our problems and also help others who are struggling with the same issues, learning and trying to understand what goes on in our head can be a painful experience but it’s a milestone that we all need to cross at some point in our lives. we are very lucky to have a diverse range of resources online, i would personally recommend a book called: (Chatter: the voice in our head by Ethan kross)

• Gaining insights and seeking online help: Where we can get online therapy and help.

Mental breakdowns and managing them:

Many of us, including me -not so rarely- had the thought, “I feel like I’m going crazy” at one time or another. These thoughts may surface in times of heightened stress, but they can also be a manifestation of a mental health condition, such as anxiety, panic disorder, or depersonalization. 

If we are talking about personal experience, I’ve had anxiety for the longest time. Ever since I was a kid, it took me some time to learn how to deal with it without missing out on so many things. and I'm still learning everyday But I would encourage you to embrace the fact that we get anxious and worried. I have a strong belief that this is the best way we can minimize the effects of it. 

I’m struggling to finish this article within the deadline set by the editor, so yes.. I am going through some mental stress and yes, I might have a breakdown in the following hours but that is perfectly fine because experiencing a multitude of emotions teaches us how to contain and acknowledge them.

On the topic of mental breakdowns, how do we deal with them? 

First of all, if you’re headed towards a mental breakdown, you may experience episodes of feeling helpless or uncontrollable crying. Also you’ll probably have emotional outbursts or feel angry. In such circumstances, it’s perfectly okay to let yourself cry and release your emotions.

When dealing with mental breakdowns, it’s important to prioritize self-care. Find a quiet space, take slow deep breaths, and practice grounding techniques. I would definitely suggest that you reach out to a supportive friend or family member.

Balancing Act: Striking a balance between academic endeavors and mental wellbeing is crucial. Educational institutions, parents, and society need to recognize the importance of fostering holistic development. Encouraging open dialogue about mental health, providing adequate support systems, and promoting self-care can help alleviate the impact of academic pressure.

In conclusion, The pursuit of education is a noble endeavor, but not at the cost of one’s mental wellbeing. Acknowledging the detrimental effects of academic pressure is the first step toward creating an environment where students can thrive both intellectually and emotionally. By fostering a culture that values individual growth over a relentless pursuit of perfection, we can ensure that the journey of education remains enriching and empowering, rather than a source of undue stress and anxiety.

Written in English by: Ali Muayad

Translated to Arabic by: Tarneem Maitham and Ali Muayad 

Translated to Kurdish by: Sanaria Tahsin 

Graphic design: Zainab Barazan