Grades are always a constant source of pressure in the minds of students.

During one class, instead of asking about what made them happy as usual, I had them write down what made them feel stressed. There were tears, and many students presented their writings with great emotion.

Whether to abolish or retain the 10th grade entrance exam to reduce exam pressure remains a highly debated topic, with two distinct opposing viewpoints - Photo: THANH HIEP

As a high school teacher, I have the opportunity to interact with many different generations of students. What they have in common is that they are children beginning to grow up, facing uncertainties and pressures that are difficult to express.

We adults often think that only we have pressures and headaches to solve, while children only have to eat, sleep, study, and play… But that’s an incorrect view. In * The Little Prince* , the writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote , "All adults were once children… but only a few of them remember that."

Student confessions  

Perhaps this is the biggest reason why children feel misunderstood by their loved ones, leading to loneliness, impulsive and reckless behavior, and even regrettable consequences such as school violence…

On one occasion, instead of asking about things that made them happy as usual, I had them write down things that made them feel stressed.

Tears were shed, many students presented their essays with emotion, and the psychological knots seemed to loosen with each word.

I've noticed that the biggest pressure constantly on the minds of these students is grades.

We often assume that low grades are due to students being unintelligent or lacking effort. But the truth is that many students, despite their best efforts, still cannot improve their grades.

Poor academic results can make students feel worthless; many develop anxiety disorders, and some even become afraid to go home, afraid to face their parents' disappointed eyes.

Next, there's the pressure stemming from one's own past.

Many students, who were excellent students with outstanding academic achievements in middle school and were praised by their teachers, are now facing a decline in their performance. This puts pressure on them because of their past, leading them to doubt themselves, lose confidence, and become increasingly withdrawn.

The lack of a sense of care and understanding from those closest to them is also a major source of pressure in their journey to adulthood.

Today, the rate of marital breakdown is very high, and many children are therefore placed in the "my child, your child" situation. Many children do not live with their father or mother, or even both. This leaves them immersed in feelings of abandonment, feeling like outsiders, having their emotions disregarded, and lacking love and affection…

And pressure from social media is also a common answer given by many students.

We often condemn young people for overusing social media, but few understand that excessive social media use is also one of the reasons for the increased mental burden on students.

Many students are aware that they shouldn't use social media excessively, but its allure makes it difficult for them to resist, leading to uncontrolled browsing. After such incidents, they often feel self-reproach.

Don't just love your child when they're young.

How can we help these children overcome those pressures and invisible fears?

Perhaps the first and most important thing is the understanding and gentle attitude of parents, teachers, and other adults.

Show children that they are not alone, that they are always recognized, loved, and protected. Because they deserve it.

Parents should set aside the hustle and bustle of work and sit down to spend time with their children. Remember that you were once a child yourself and recall how much you needed to be loved, so you understand that your children also need comfort and nurturing.

Don't just love your children when they're young; they'll need that love when they start to grow up.

Finding a definitive solution to prevent children from feeling pressured about grades is perhaps the most difficult, but reducing that feeling is entirely possible. It requires cooperation between family and school.

Parents should stop placing such a heavy burden of academic achievement on their children, and teachers should stop using grades to criticize during lessons. Instead, they should focus on how the children strive and improve each day.

Reducing the difficulty of tests is also a solution to alleviate academic pressure for students. And to encourage reasonable social media use among students, instead of letting them surf the internet during recess, we should try organizing group games, setting up interesting reading corners, etc.

From that experience, the children realize that real life is much more interesting than the virtual world .

DANG HOA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/diem-so-luon-la-ap-luc-thuong-truc-trong-suy-nghi-cac-em-hoc-sinh-20251211142409492.htm