Making up missed work is often one of the most daunting, stressful jobs a student has to perform in high school.  Not only does he or she have to do the in-class work and homework from the previous day, but keep up with the current class work for up to seven classes. 

With a little hard work, this task is attainable without too much stress for students who only miss one or two days of school.  But for those who miss extended numbers of school days, the stress caused by making up work is unfathomable.

The easy solution to this situation is to just go to school.  Unfortunately, many students are forced to miss school due to circumstances beyond their control, such as illness.

Take for example junior Shannon Davey, who recently missed extensive amounts of her classes for medical reasons.

“I was hanging out with one of my friends and we were swinging on a rope in my barn.  Long story short, I fell, hit my head and got a concussion,” Davey said. “I wasn’t allowed to go back to school or do any of my work for a week.  When I received all the work I had missed I was so overwhelmed,” she said. “It was very stressful because not only did I have more homework than I could handle, it all took me longer than normal to finish because of the effects of the concussion.”

Davey felt that most of her teachers were understanding of her situation and gave her extra time to finish her work.  “I can’t wait to be done making everything up,” she said. “I’ve never been this stressed in my life.” 

Davey’s main stress reliever is playing soccer.  “I just love being outside and playing the game with my friends or family.  Whether it’s in my back yard, at practice or in a game, it helps me to clear my head,” she said.Some would argue that sports are designed to relieve stress, not create it.  This is not true, however, for many teens, including junior Julianna Libertin.

“It can be very tough to balance academics and sports,” said Libertin.

Jules has firsthand experience with this balance.  In the spring, she manages two hours of track practice and three hours of soccer practice every night in addition to her schoolwork.  Most of her weekends include both a track meet and a soccer game, sometimes even in different states.

“I’m not the only one,” said Libertin.  “Many of my friends have to try to fit athletics into the rest of their life.”

Many teens feel stressed out by over-participation in competitive athletics.  The consequences of this stress are not only mental but often physical.

For instance, around three percent of female high school athletes like Libertin experience a stress fracture.  This injury, often caused by excessive exercising, is twice as likely to occur in athletes who exercise for more than 16 hours per week.

Stress fractures are on the rise, thanks to a national trend in youngsters competing in year-round sports.  When athletes put strain on the same muscle groups and bones year round, injuries often result.  

Like sports, Libertin also takes stress relief seriously.  When things stress her out, she often turns to friends for relief.  “They make you laugh,” said Libertin, “and allow you to forget about whatever is stressing you out.”  Libertin is also careful to address the causes of her stress.  “When I feel overwhelmed, I try to take deep breaths and figure out what’s stressing me out,” said Libertin.

With a life as stressful as Libertin’s, many may wonder if she has a secret weapon in the stress relief department.  “Dumb movies,” said Libertin.  “The dumber, the better.”