Fostering competition has always been a staple of the Goose Creek CISD. Whether encouraging students to take more challenging classes to get ahead of their peers or prompting them to join as many clubs and extracurricular activities as possible, it seems impossible to escape the pressure. This pressure tends to follow many students in all aspects of their lives: at school, work, and home. As the winter break draws near and the halls fill with the sound of cheer as students gather their supplies and get ready to head home to enjoy the holidays, it is essential to discuss the necessity of an effective work-life balance. With the air getting colder and the holiday cheer spreading, it is easy to forget the commonplace stress of being a student. Homework, studying, and tests become a part of life; however, it is critical to break away from the monotonous cycle that school tends to influence us into.
It is a commonly known fact that stress influences us in negative ways. Our mental, physical, and emotional well-being is compromised whenever we allow stress to consume us. Stress can lead to insomnia, headaches, anxiety, and depression. Frequently for students, stress is caused by this overwhelming desire to be competitive; to be the best at school, tests, clubs, or socially is the main objective of many students today. Now that we are reaching a break in the school year, it is time to reevaluate the importance that we, as students, place upon ourselves to meet the demands of our own expectations. It is crucial to remember that our expectations are not the be-all end-all. Our success does not ride upon being the smartest, most popular, or highest ranked. We tend to associate our worth by comparing ourselves to others. Distance from the constant comparison and competition we force on ourselves gives us a much-needed break to relieve the stress building this school year. Take the time this holiday break to understand the nuances of the pressure you put upon yourself and how it affects you. Try to transcend the need to constantly compare yourself to others.
It is equally important that parents and guardians also understand the multitude of emotions and challenges that their children face daily. It can become hard to connect with children whose experiences differ vastly from their guardian’s. Understanding your children’s tendencies to put themselves down, compare themselves to others, and set unreasonable expectations is crucial to providing a supportive environment. Communicating with your child and mutually understanding the expectations of both parties on the child is the foundation for building a better relationship with both you and their school. Often, the strain children face goes unknown by parents, and understanding what is causing this strain is pivotal to supporting your child.
So, as the prospect of holiday tidings spreads, remember to take a break. Breathe in the chilling air, and separate yourself from the expectations of yourself and others. Take the time to set reasonable and guided expectations and goals to mitigate your stress and relieve you from the constant academic pressure students tend to be put on.
Happy holidays!
The fall season means more than just a semester or a mere change in the weather; it’s a time of cheer, of coming together for our American tradition as a community to support our teams, our schools, and our town. The roar of the crowd, the halftime shows, and the atmosphere of unity on the turf of Stallworth Stadium under the Friday night lights capture the essence of what it means to be part of Goose Creek. The cheerleaders, the band, athletes coming together to sing the Alma Mater symbolizes a shared commitment to our values, our goals — a reminder that we are part of something much greater than ourselves; this unity is our secret weapon as we dive into the spring semester.
Unity plays an essential role in bolstering our school spirit, fostering a sense of collective pride and togetherness. Consider forming a study group perhaps with folks that go to different schools to prepare for upcoming standardized tests like the STAAR or AP exam while sharing our knowledge from different perspectives and staying resilient in our sportsmanship and rivalry for the basketball or soccer season. It’s good to be good both in and out of class, and that the elation from those wins doesn’t just stem from the scoreboard; it’s the unspoken connection and shared happiness from all of us that boosts our collective morale.
Remember that time when our GCM Patriot soccer team made it to the regional quarterfinals or when we won our bi-district basketball game against Barbers Hill — the buzz from these wins lit a fire under us, making us more motivated and focused in our studies. Challenges may rise, divisive sentiments, misunderstandings, or moments of heightened competition can strain our collective spirit. The beef will eventually marinate and rivalries will turn for the worse but it is always important to foster open-dialogue and promote understanding. It’s clear: when we unite and support, it’s not just about the games, it’s about how it lifts our school spirit and drives us to perform better in everything that we do.
The unspoken bond we share stands as our covert advantage as we enter the spring season. Fueled by both the excitement of wins and the challenges of rivalries, this unity goes further than the playing field, injecting our academic endeavors with a blend of shared knowledge and unwavering strength.
Do you want to be a published author?
Go to bit.ly/gcstudenteditorial to submit an article to be featured on the Goose Creek CISD website or GC At A Glance Magazine.