Stress is the unwanted elephant in every high school classroom.

Between standardized testing, AP and honors classes, extracurricular activities, and college, the pressure to succeed and thrive in an academic environment can be overwhelming.

The Californian believes that students are far too stressed and the school should continue to work with them to help relieve their overwhelming lives. 

With this in mind, several teachers, administrators and counselors across campus are taking matters into their own hands by implementing new strategies and regulations for reducing student stress.

Among these efforts include the requirement of parental consent for enrolling in more than two AP classes, and the introduction of meditation in certain classes.

Last year, the district introduced a homework policy that limited homework to half an hour a night for non-weighted classes in an attempt to limit the workload outside of school.

But this attempt at reducing student stress was not very effective. Many teachers handed out the mandatory slips required, but completely ignored the policy thereafter.  

In addition, the homework policy is exempt from both AP and honors/advanced courses, which are the types of classes that are notorious for causing the most student stress. 

It is clear that teachers and administrators are recognizing the possible negative impact school can have on students’ mental health. But the pressing question is: Are these changes to school policy effective?

Though the answer is not yet clear, Cal’s staff and administration are working to lower the stress high school students face.

But students should also be aware of their own limits. Overworking, overscheduling, and overloading themselves with academics does not give them enough time to destress and even sleep.

Twenty four hours and seven days a week provides individuals with a limited quantity of time to commit to activities and hobbies students enjoy. 

Stress will always be a part of life, but high school should not be remembered by the endless days of stressing out.