Grades vs Health
We live in a society where it is not only accepted but expected that your mental health and well being WILL suffer in order to get better grades in school. If you're not pulling all nighters, locking yourself in your room and having regular stress induced panic attacks then you're simply not putting enough work in.
Students are expected to have bad mental health and their mental health is not taken as seriously, 'its just stress' or 'itll pass after your exams'. I've been repeatedly told when asking for help because I'm near to breakdown that it's okay, it's everyone. Why is this okay?
We have to choose between good grades or good health and there's a correct answer.
People wonder why so many students are on antidepressants or even sectioned and somehow it is acceptable that students will be depressed, anxious and worse.
Nobody should feel like this, nobody should feel so out of control that they can no longer breathe because everything is so overwhelming, yet nearly every student does. And professionals and adults don't take this seriously because its 'just stress'.
Radical thought: It's not okay if you are so stressed that you are having panic attacks.
And what's even worse: some students see it as a competition. Who had the most breakdowns, who pulled the most all nighters, who's self harming to cope with the pressures.
I've been told that my mental health isn't a good enough 'excuse' to not hand homework in on time, but I have had to prioritise.
I WILL ALWAYS PUT MY HEALTH AHEAD OF MY GRADES.
I don't accept that I should focus on getting an A*, even if it means having multiple breakdowns and panic attacks every week for years. Because that's what it takes for some people.
I know I could have done better in every exam I've ever taken if I'd made some sacrifices, but I refuse to choose to sacrifice my health for my grades. It is not worth it to me. When I'm already unstable and unable to cope, I will do everything I can to get my mental health under control, even and especially if my grades suffer for it. And they did. And I'm okay with that.
Society expects us to sacrifice our health for grades but I refuse. Student suicide rates are so high.
I refuse to make them any higher.
Look after yourselves and much love
Keely
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