As juniors and seniors ourselves, we understand the inherent stress that comes with being an upperclassman in high school: balancing college applications, grades, extracurriculars, and a social life seems to be an insurmountable task. Because of this, it seems almost inevitable that there would be a culture of stress surrounding Heschel, especially as a private high school in New York City, a city where the college process is even more competitive.
Coming back from COVID, Heschel upperclassmen were put in an extremely difficult situation. In dealing with the return to normality, along with the uptick in work that comes with being juniors and seniors in high school, the stress became overwhelming. Therefore, the Heschel administration put guard rails in place for juniors and seniors in order to reduce the stress faced by previous years.
While there is still stress among upperclassmen, the administration has taken numerous steps to mitigate as much stress as possible. Whether that’s no homework nights offered to the juniors, the month of no tests and homework offered to seniors before the early decision deadline, or the removal of the finals period, the Heschel administration has done all it can to create an environment focused on alleviating the mental health challenges that upperclassmen face when applying to and thinking about college.
Therefore, where does the responsibility lie for Heschel’s culture of stress? To us, it seems to lie in the hands of the students. The culture of stress created by the COVID era still lingers in the student body. Test grades are viewed as permanent measures of intelligence and are often compared among students, creating a culture of competition and leaving some students to equate their self worth to a single test. This inherently creates a stressful environment among the members of the student body. However, If we change how we talk about tests, seeing them as an opportunity to grow rather than a number that defines us, we can make a positive impact on the culture.
It is essential to realize, as students at this school, that we have the power to change the culture for the better. To create an environment where mental health is prioritized, we must focus on how we discuss academics within this school. Creating an environment where there is a balance between rigorous academics and a healthy social life is imperative.