School’s back in session and with it come abnormally high stress levels. We’ve all felt the huge weight of pressure to do well in absolutely everything we do, from sports to academics to socializing. Spreading yourself too thin is a common trait among teens, especially those that set high goals for themselves (aka the Magnet student population.) But, it’s been recorded that the teenage years are the ones to set up how you handle stress – something high school students don’t excel at.

Over 1,000 teens participated in a survey released by the American Psychological Association, and 83% reported that school was a significant source of stress. 27% claimed to experience “extreme stress” during the school year, and that number dropped to 13% during summer vacation. It has even been reported that teens experience higher stress levels than adults. Ladies look out; women have consistently reported a higher level of stress compared to males. Girls feel more depressed and cannot handle stress levels as well. Though, a little stress can be a good thing. It helps us react to emergencies and keeps us alert to help us work harder.

An easy way to help cope with the massive amounts of stress from school is exercise. Teens who work out or play a sport report a lower amount of stress than their sedentary peers. Unfortunately, only 20% of teens report exercising at least once a week. Meanwhile, 40+% resort to stationary activities to deal with stress, such as video games and watching movies. Other advice to help manage stress, though easier said than done, includes: time management (like we don’t hear that enough), organization, getting enough sleep, and developing good study habits.