The Stress of Stepping Forward

BY GRACE CAPPAS [lead writer]

Throughout the world, people from all walks of life suffer from anxiety at some point in their lives, whether the cause is something as small as an upcoming test, or as big as a lifelong obstacle. Although, there may be something to say for the recent influx of anxiety in teenagers today, especially with the pressure of college coming onto graduating seniors.

Symptoms of anxiety vary widely, from avoidance to irritability, recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life, trouble concentrating, extreme self-consciousness or sensitivity to criticism, and withdrawal from social activity.

“I used to feel anxious last year more so than this year. That was mainly because I wasn’t sure what route I wanted to take for college,” senior Mary Marcinek said.

According to the Nuffield Foundation, the proportion of 17 to 18 year olds reporting that they frequently feel anxious or depressed has doubled in the last 30 years, from 1 in 30 to 2 in 30 for boys and 1 in 10 to 2 in 10 for girls.

“There are so many more factors that exist today than even five years ago. Everything is a competition,” English teacher Brooke Manhattan said.

With the world evolving in new ways every year, there are more and more factors influencing teenagers