In today’s educational landscape, competitive school environments have become increasingly prevalent. These environments, which can be identified by rigorous academic demands and exceedingly high expectations, aim to push students towards excellence. However, the impacts of such competitiveness on students’ mental and emotional well-being, social interactions, and overall mental health are consistently ignored in schools and universities across the world. While competition can drive academic improvement and build resilience, it can simultaneously lead to significant stress, anxiety, and a detrimental impact on students’ mental health as a whole. To address these issues, we’ve compiled 3 different helpful coping strategies to deal with attending a competitive school environment.
One of the biggest impacts of a competitive school environment is the heightened level of stress and anxiety among students. The constant pressure to ‘be the best,’ can often lead to mass burnout, which results in chronic and acute stress (Mindsage, 2021). High levels of stress and anxiety can hinder students’ ability to concentrate, reduce their overall academic performance, and negatively impact their self-esteem. Furthermore, the fear of failure or underachieving can become overwhelming, leading to a sense of helplessness (Mindsage, 2021). This mental strain is not limited to high school; it often continues into the rest of the students’ lives, where the stakes and pressures are even higher.
Additionally, competitive environments often foster a culture of comparison among students. Students are constantly comparing grades and extracurriculars, making kids who are not as academically inclined feel inadequate. One student is never better than another simply because of a higher GPA, and yet this still is a common occurrence in most competitive school districts.
According to Dr. Doug Stilwell (2023), constant comparison between fellow classmates can lead to unhealthy peer relationships, where students view each other as rivals rather than collaborators. Such student dynamics can result in social isolation, decreased empathy, and an overall decline in the quality of peer interactions. In extreme cases, it can also lead to bullying and a toxic school culture, where students’ worth is measured solely by their academic achievements (Stilwell, 2023). This competitive mindset can hinder the development of teamwork and social skills, which are crucial for future careers and jobs.
Moreover, the intense focus on academic success can overshadow other important aspects of the student life. Extracurricular activities, creativity, and social skills are often ignored in favor of academics. In the pursuit of academic excellence, the harsh truth is that many students simply forget to have fun. They don’t play video games, hang-out with friends, or even indulge in their hobbies. This can limit students’ opportunities to explore their interests, develop well-rounded personalities, and discover who they are. As a result, many students in competitive environments graduate with strong academic records but lack the social and emotional skills needed for success in the real world. Having such a strong focus for only preparing for academic success leaves many other aspects of life to be explored. This imbalance is always a detrimental issue to students across the world.
I have personally experienced these pressures first-hand, living in a highly competitive school district where the race for top grades and extracurricular achievements is extremely competitive. I attend a Top-150 high school in the country. Starting from elementary school, there was a firm and clear expectation to excel. In my high school, the average student is expected to take 10 AP classes, have a 4.0+ GPA, and have many internships. Most students in this school are solely focused on attaining admissions to top colleges. I personally remember countless days and nights having my head buried in textbooks and homework, fearing that I would fall behind my fellow peers.
The stress became a constant companion, affecting my sleep, mood, and overall well-being. Social interactions often felt empty, as many conversations with friends frequently revolved around grades and college applications rather than hobbies or interests. While these school environments may be perfect for the most academically inclined students, many students simply cannot survive, much less thrive, in these schools.
To mitigate the negative impacts of a competitive school environment, firstly, avoid comparing yourself to others. As Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” In competitive schools, many students value academics highly, but not everyone does. Some prioritize sports, arts, social lives, or other hobbies, which is perfectly fine. Academics. Aren’t. Everything. Comparing achievements often leads to feelings of inadequacy. Focus on your own progress and happiness.While it may be difficult not to compare to your fellow peers, you have to grasp the idea that if you’re satisfied with your results, that’s the only thing that matters. Embrace your individuality and celebrate your successes without letting others’ achievements affect you.
Secondly, time management skills are crucial. Students should create a balanced schedule that allocates time for studying, extracurricular activities, and relaxation. Make sure to plan everything. While it may seem tedious at first, having a basic outline of your day immensely helps with managing the increased stress and anxiety that comes with a competitive school environment. I can personally vouch for this, as coming from an extremely academic-focused school, planning my items to-do well in advance helps me feel more relieved by taking a burden off my shoulders. Utilizing tools like planners or digital calendars can help in organizing tasks and avoiding last-minute cramming or procrastination, which often leads to increased stress (NAMI, n.d.).
Personally, I just use the stock Calendar app that comes with my phone, but anything can work. Additionally, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and setting realistic goals can also make overwhelming assignments more approachable.
Lastly, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI, n.d.), practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help significantly reduce anxiety. Utilizing techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga are proven to help calm the mind and enhance focus. If you ever feel anxiety or stress that you can’t handle, just practice mindfulness for a minute or two. While it may seem useless in practice, I can personally attest to the fact that it does indeed help. Mindfulness encourages students to stay present and engaged in the moment, reducing the constant worry about future academic outcomes.
In conclusion, while competitive school environments can drive academic excellence, they also pose significant challenges to students’ well-being and mental health. By practicing the three coping techniques mentioned above, you can help deal with the stress and anxiety that comes with attending a very competitive school. I can attest to the fact that practicing these techniques, while maybe not for everyone, can certainly help cope with your mental health in a challenging school environment.
Written By: Nimai Pradeep, Mental H2O Youth Resource Writer
Works Cited
MindSage. (2021, July 11). Competition culture in Schools. Medium. https://mindsagewriting.medium.com/competition-culture-in-schools-68478f147601
StilWell, D. (2023, November 2). Education at a crossroads: The perils of competition in K-12 Education. The W. Edwards Deming Institute. https://deming.org/education-at-a-crossroads-the-perils-of-competition-in-k-12-education/
National Alliance on Mental Health. (n.d.). Managing stress. Managing Stress. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Managing-Stress/
