As any student knows, grades are reflective of their accomplishments in a given class. However, grades mean much more to students than whether they know the material or not. Grades mean whether or not someone will get into their college of choice, whether or not they have to retake that class they had failed as a result of an emotional semester, whether or not they are hired for a position against someone who graduated with a higher grade-point average (GPA). Students are under more duress than ever to be academically excellent because of the mounting pressure in the American education system. This pressure is due to GPA inflation and expectations of above-average academic performance. Because of this increased stress, students often have poor academic performance, changes in social and personal behavior, and even physical and mental illnesses.
Grade-point averages have …show more content…
According to 2009 survey of 2,200 college students from 40 random American colleges, 74% of students felt stressed over grades. A survey of undergraduate students at James Madison University showed that 42% of the participants ranked academics coupled with time management as the greatest factor of stress in their lives.
Chronic stress has been linked to numerous health problems mentally and physically. In the short run, stress can lead to headaches, stomach pains, insomnia, frequent colds, inability to focus, constant worrying, changes in apatite, and an increased use in drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. However, students who are under stress throughout their long college careers exhibit different and more concerning symptoms and ailments. These include depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and strokes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, and skin and hair problems such as psoriasis and permanent hair
Grade-point averages have …show more content…
According to 2009 survey of 2,200 college students from 40 random American colleges, 74% of students felt stressed over grades. A survey of undergraduate students at James Madison University showed that 42% of the participants ranked academics coupled with time management as the greatest factor of stress in their lives.
Chronic stress has been linked to numerous health problems mentally and physically. In the short run, stress can lead to headaches, stomach pains, insomnia, frequent colds, inability to focus, constant worrying, changes in apatite, and an increased use in drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. However, students who are under stress throughout their long college careers exhibit different and more concerning symptoms and ailments. These include depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and strokes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, and skin and hair problems such as psoriasis and permanent hair