Spring break has just ended, and it is now Monday. It's also Pajama Day. Why? I don't know. Every year, my school has Stress Awareness Week. Basically, every day of the week, there is a different theme or activity. For this year, Monday was Pajama Day, Tuesday was Meme Day, Wednesday was Whole Fit Day, Thursday we had a Stress Break and on Friday, the school brought in puppies.
Right after spring break? Yep. But spring break just ended, so why do we need Stress Awareness Week? It's only going to make our stress levels rise higher.
I was talking about this week with a few of my friends when they brought up how useless it is. They said it does nothing for us and for relieving stress. They have a point. Everyone is aware of how stressed out they are, so why have a week that just reinforces that? I am aware that I'm stressed out. I don't need a week that reminds me that I am.
We just got back from a stress-free time; is this week just telling us to be aware of the stress that is to come? Stress Awareness Week will pass, and the next thing you know, all the schoolwork doubles the following week. Not cool.
I don't think this week does anything. It's just a build-up of tension and stress because it's one week from not doing much work, and the next week is work on top of work. No break. It doesn't help that there are exams like EOCs, AP Exams and finals coming up. This week also makes students lazy because of the different themes, activities and the less amount of work given. Every year during this week, I think to myself, "I just lost a week of being able to practice and prepare."
I can see both points of view. Some of these days are nice. On Monday, we could ease our way into the school schedule again. On Tuesday, everyone gets a good laugh at all the students who dressed up as memes. On Friday, we got to play with dogs, and who doesn't love that? But to those who want to prepare for the exams that begin in less than two weeks from when we return, it's just time being wasted.
SEE ALSO: 18 Emotional Stages All AP Students Will Go Through In May, As Told By 'The Office'
In my opinion, I don't see the point of having a Stress Awareness Week. I also think it's been placed in the wrong part of the year.
With exams coming up, it's not the time to tell me that I'm stressed and have dress-up days that don't help me. These days aren't going to help me in the future when I am taking my exams, hoping to pass each one. That's why I don't take part in these activities. I don't think they help me in any way. The stress is still there, the worry is still there and the work is still there.
I think it's a distraction, especially at this time of year. I'm not going do something when I know it will only get worse and hurt me the following week. I'm already studying and mentally preparing myself for the exams, and if gets too much for me, I'll pick up a book or blast instrumental music to calm myself. During this week, I would ignore the activities that happen and continue through the week. Since not a lot of work is assigned, I would get more time to prepare for exams. There are other options.
It would be better to have it on a different week that's not as close to very important tests. It could be a couple of weeks after winter break or maybe in the first semester in October. They need to realize that exams are important, especially AP exams, so slacking off during the few weeks before finals is not going to help. Instead of having different activities, I would rather there be some time to have a study hall every day for a week. That way, students can't slack off. It may make a big difference.