Francesca Tolentino

Students typically lack motivation before school breaks, causing them to fall short on completing assignments.

I don’t feel like writing this story. Every time I think about it, the process, the planning, I just feel no urgency at all. But that’s the whole problem, isn’t it?

There are two days until spring break, and I think everyone else in the school has checked out. Nevertheless, work is still being assigned, tests are still being taken, and the countdown until the end of the school day on Friday seems hours away. 

It’s not just this week, though; it’s every week. Time drags and drags, and I just can’t seem to keep up. What happened to the girl who was so excited, so motivated to start the year and pursue her interest? I lost her about two months into the school year. 

Why, though? Why does it feel like I can’t catch a break, or truly put all my focus into one assignment? At first glance, it seems like everyone around me is keeping up; they study every weekend, have great grades, and just can’t wait to apply to college. 

That’s just not true. The truth is, everyone is as behind as everyone else; some people are just better at hiding it. I’m not saying school is some torturous, draining, fun-sucking place, although it may seem like it. 

School is great, kids learn, they get to meet people, and they put their time and energy into something that makes them feel accomplished. But it’s hard. It’s hard to keep up, it feels like you’re balancing the world whole on your shoulders at the most influential point in your life.

I know this, and it’s nothing I haven’t heard before. In response to this, I’ve also heard things like “just focus on one thing at a time and you’ll get through it!” or “be happy for the times you have now, because high school is the best point in your life,” blah blah blah. I know this too, but just knowing doesn’t mean I don’t still feel the burnout. 

I just want to know why school has to be this vicious cycle of tired, half-hearted work for years until you get a job, or end up wherever you do after school.  

Learning should be focused on pinpointing students strengths and developing them in fun, challenging ways. Obviously, school can be this, but I guarantee you that lots of students you ask will describe school as a burden. In fact, in a research conducted by Yale, “nearly 75% of the students’ self-reported feelings related to school were negative.”

Instead of blaming technology for all of teens’ mental health issues, let’s take a look at other factors. If a child is waking up every morning with nausea and panic attacks just from the mere idea of going to school, something is seriously wrong within our education system. 

According to The American Institute of Stress in just 2024 alone, “75% of high school students and 50% of middle schoolers consistently feel stressed due to schoolwork.”

I don’t want to deny or erase the notion that school is a beneficial place, and I am very privileged to be able to even have the opportunity to write this story. 

Along with that, I am not trying to say that mental health issues within my generation and others are not caused by technology, or several different factors. I just want to state that we cannot attribute all issues that have been affecting children for years to just one reason.

We can continue to benefit from something while also looking for improvement. That is simply how evolution works, criticizing the very system and powers we use to live.

In terms of school motivation, though, it’s easy to fall behind and from there dig yourself a deeper and deeper hole, but one thing that seems to help is simply to start an assignment. It doesn’t matter how hard it is; in fact, it’s best to start as soon as possible, even if it’s not an “important” assignment. 

Starting work gets you into the mindset, and completing small assignments gives you the motivation to continue the work. It’s also important to remember that you should always come first. 

I’m not saying not to do your work, but if you are truly behind and overwhelmed with school, take your time and sort out what the most important assignments are to conquer first.

School is frustrating, it’s always good to remember that there are other people who understand and are willing to listen, or help, with whatever you need. And hey, only two days until spring break, right?