If
you’re reading this, chances are that you are under a great deal of academic
pressure and stress. In fact, you might even be reading this blog in order to
procrastinate and avoid that pressure. With academics and education become
increasingly more important and prominent in today’s education, the
corresponding stress on students has also gone up substantially. Students are
now expected to study more, score higher and work harder than ever before,
often to the breaking point. In cultures which already emphasized the
importance of academics, this pressure can build to the point of becoming
unbearable. This blog will specifically focus on providing coping methods and
aid for Chinese and Jewish American students due to their cultural similarities
and their common sources of academic stress. Take a look at the clips and
images below:
Credit
to chinasmack.com for image
Credit
to http://ehgazette.blogs.brynmawr.edu for image
The clips are
obviously a bit exaggerated for the purpose of comedy, but for many Chinese or
Jewish students they may hit a bit close to home. Pressure from parents and
family is a major source of academic stress that is shared by the two cultures.
The situations presented by the images are likely all too familiar as well;
many Chinese and Jewish students are burdened with extreme expectations that
cause them to push themselves to the limits. Have you ever passed up or been
forbidden from participating in sports or other extracurricular activities
because “they are a waste of time and won’t help you get into college?” How
about choosing your major or field of study based on what is likely to make the
most money, rather than what you feel a genuine passion for? What other sacrifices might have been
made for the sake of meeting these unreasonable expectations? In addition to
these social costs, there are numerous health costs associated with this desire
for academic perfection. Lack of proper sleep, overdosing on caffeine, stress
related illnesses, anxiety, depression, the list goes on.
These issues become especially dangerous in today’s society, where more and more
students hoping to go to college and working to claim high-paying careers.
Competition is fiercer than ever and as a result those suffering under this
pressure are forced to push themselves even further than before. Fortunately,
the new age also grants powerful tools to help combat this problem.
You may have been
wondering why a self-help program would utilize a blog, and the answer is for
exposure. One thing most students have in common is their usage of the
internet, so utilizing that medium is a good way to receive as much attention
as possible and thus reach and help as many people as possible. Further entries
for this blog will discuss various strategies for mitigating the issues which
arise from academic pressure, such as recognizing if you are depressed,
learning to live a more balanced life, communicating with your family and more.
This blog and the program as a whole will have succeeded if it helps you in
achieving a more relaxed and healthier life; one that isn’t dominated solely by
concerns over that next test or paper.
