How the nation's senior students are really feeling

As they approach adulthood and work towards the end of their schooling, they are faced with more opportunities, more responsibilities and occasionally more challenges too. All of this can affect their wellbeing in a number of ways.

Recent reports like NAB’s Education Insights Special Report (titled: ‘Part 1: Wellbeing – How do high school students really feel about their lives?’) shine an in-depth spotlight on the current state of wellbeing for young people. While we continue to have a greater collective awareness of wellbeing in its many forms — and how we can support students to achieve a better state of wellbeing — young people are still facing unique challenges. From the prevalence of social media to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s secondary school students are approaching adulthood at a particularly unique time.

While research and data share some interesting patterns and behaviours, the best way to get a clearer idea of how senior school students feel about their lives and their wellbeing is to ask them directly. With some of Haileybury’s Senior School students sharing their thoughts, we can all learn a little more about the unique challenges and opportunities of being a secondary school student right now, as well as how we can all support our young people to feel their very best. We also spoke with two of Haileybury’s wellbeing staff to hear their perspectives.

What are the signs of positive wellbeing for senior school students?

When asked what they considered to be the signs of positive wellbeing, it was clear that the students we spoke with saw wellbeing as a holistic, well-rounded state of good health and personal fulfilment. Physical health and fitness, a positive outlook on life and a general sense of energy and optimism were all key highlights. What also came through, however, was that wellbeing looks different to each and every one of us.

“What exactly constitutes being physically healthy, for example, varies from person to person, and it’s important to be aware of what good wellbeing looks like for you on a personal level, and practice the habits which help you achieve and maintain that state,” says one student.

Another student noted, “To me, a good sign of positive wellbeing is being content with your life, though this doesn’t necessarily mean being comfortable. Positive wellbeing means being challenged without having constant stress on your shoulders.”

How secondary school students are looking after their wellbeing

It is clear that many young people recognise the various aspects of life that contribute to positive wellbeing. So, what steps do they take to achieve that state of wellness in the first place?

Physical exercise was a recurring solution amongst the students we interviewed, whether that was time outdoors with family and friends, a light walk or bike ride, or some more intensive physical exercise like a run, gym or team sports. It seems that for many young people, getting the pulse up and getting outdoors are quick, readily accessible ways to support their wellbeing.

Another student noted how rest was just as important, stating that, “I've found that getting enough sleep, as difficult as it is with all the things going on, has such a big impact on my wellbeing.”

Neringa Smith, Haileybury’s Director of Counselling Services, agreed with the students, noting that connecting with family and friends, exercise and spending time outdoors were key areas to help with student wellbeing. “Learning activities that match a young person’s interests are relevant and appropriately challenging — not too easy or hard — can boost satisfaction, promoting good mental health and wellbeing,” she also added.

The biggest causes of stress and anxiety today

There are all kinds of pressures that today’s students must navigate today, and all of these can impact their overall wellbeing. While we as parents, teachers and adults might have our own ideas around what the main causes of stress and anxiety are, asking young people for their own perspective presents a clearer picture.

“Stress in young people is a culmination of several different factors. Academic pressures ramp up closer to exam season, and expectations of scores can burden young people,” one student said. “Simultaneously, extracurricular activities, such as commitments to sport or music, can also demand time and effort, and a need to balance these activities along with schoolwork, friends and family, can be difficult.”

Every student we spoke to mentioned either social media or academic pressures (or both) as a key cause of stress and anxiety for young people. In the case of social media or online interactions, anxiety around body image and self-worth was also a recurring theme. “The constant pressure to appear a certain way, or trying to fit in, can be draining, especially for youths who are at the age of spending much of their time socialising,” says one student.

Getting support during tougher times

With these key causes of stress and anxiety being a part of everyday life for most senior school students, having access to a support network to navigate the tougher times is essential. So where do young people turn first when they need some extra support?

Of the students we interviewed, each of them highlighted reaching out to their friends, their family, or both. “When I’m having a hard time, I turn to my mates. They’re always there to listen and understand what I’m struggling with,” said one student. “Their support helps me find ways to move forward, and knowing I can rely on them makes difficult situations easier to handle.”

Another student acknowledged that it varied depending on the specific circumstances, saying, “It’s more of a case-by-case basis depending on why I’m having a hard time. For certain things, I like to destress by talking with a close friend, whilst at other times I’m more inclined to talk to my brother and family.”

Teachers and adults within the school environment were also considered trusted connections that young people could speak with and ask for support. No matter who they spoke to, it was clear that reaching out to get support in the first place was the most important step of all. “After finding people I genuinely trust, I think that sharing how I am feeling has always brought more good than bad, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.”

The impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing

Social media was highlighted as one of the key causes of stress and anxiety for young people. It is no secret that these channels come with risks to wellbeing, although there are plenty of positive benefits to social media too. We asked students to talk in greater detail about social media specifically and why young people feel so drawn to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even while admitting it can have a negative impact on their wellbeing.

For most of them, the positives that come with social media made it worth engaging with. “It allows people to connect with their friends without having to see them face to face, or even relate to people who may be experiencing the same thing as them through online communities. It gives those who may not be very socially inclined to be able to form social relationships,” says one student.

Older students are clearly well aware of the potential negative aspects of social media, though. “The idea that everyone is only showing the best version of their life, which is often not what reality is, is definitely damaging to one’s wellbeing, as well as the fact that much of young people’s time is spent on social media and not actually out and about living their lives.” This time spent ‘doomscrolling’ opens the doors to many other risks, including privacy breaches, self-esteem issues, feelings of isolation and exclusion, and even bullying.

One student acknowledged that the sheer prevalence of social media in young people’s lives made it difficult to step away from. “I think social media has definitely had an all-consuming influence on people my age, me included. It is such a difficult cycle to break out of given how prominent it is now for all different purposes.”

Moving past the pressures of COVID-19

Most present-day school students are completing their education in a particularly unique time, with some of their education having taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in a significant amount of time away from school, learning at home without the daily interactions and connections with friends and teachers that they would normally have had. While school has returned to its usual structure for most, the lingering impacts of the pandemic on people’s wellbeing is still very real.

So how was learning from home during COVID-19 times, for students? Are they still feeling the repercussions today?

Students collectively agreed that the pandemic — particularly the lockdowns — had an impact on their wellbeing and their education. Having to move to online learning meant it was harder to stay motivated and engaged compared to physical school, while missing out on time with friends or the freedom to partake in extracurricular activities was also challenging.

“Spending such a lengthy time in lockdown definitely took a toll on my wellbeing as I didn’t get much physical/in-person social interaction, which I feel is quite important,” says one student. “Before COVID-19, my wellbeing was sustained by all the different activities and experiences I had going on, most of which was interrupted during the lockdown.”

While students could reflect on the impact of the pandemic on their wellbeing, there was also a clear sense of optimism as well. For some, this challenging time proved to be a learning experience. “It taught me how to cope with not seeing friends in person and allowed me to spend more time with my family, which I hadn’t had the chance to do before,” says one student. Another noted that, “I would say I thrived during COVID-19. I was very disciplined in staying physically active to ensure I had a day-to-day purpose and was also contacting my friends daily to stay socially connected.”

Navigating stressful times and finding support at school

With young people spending so much time at school, it is essential to reflect on how their time here intersects with their overall wellbeing. Whether it is being more aware of the aspects of the learning experience that cause stress and anxiety, to the relationships students have with teachers and staff so that they can access any support they require, the school experience is key to their overall wellbeing and sense of self.

In the case of Haileybury specifically, students seemed optimistic and well-supported. “At times when things get really busy, meeting with my teachers for feedback/help or communicating with them about deadlines helps rid me of stress, because I am reminded that they are there to support my learning,” a student acknowledged.

As Neringa says, “Students are supported by their pastoral care leaders which include teachers, tutors, Heads of Schools, Heads of Pre Senior and Heads of House. They participate in wellbeing lessons, and have opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities such as trips, music, sport and drama that all contribute to wellbeing. Psychologists are also available for one-to-one appointments if needed, but also run webinars and workshops in response to identified concerns.”

What was also clear was how students recognised the significance of stepping away from study when the academic pressures were mounting. Haileybury strives to create a school community that is about so much more than the curriculum and the classroom. Students seem to share this perspective, and consider the more holistic education experience as an opportunity to look after yourself.

“One effective way to cope at school is to take a step back and enjoy what you’re doing. It’s easy to get caught up in schoolwork and forget that you’re in the midst of some of the best years of your life,” says a student. “Finding an outlet, like hanging out with friends in the common room, is a great start.”