Why Mental Health Could Be the Missing Piece to Better Grades
Why Mental Health Could Be the Missing Piece to Better Grades
This time of year is tough for students. High schoolers are scrambling to submit marks for university applications, while university students are gearing up for exams that could determine half or more of their final grade. For many of these kids, the last two to three years have been a whirlwind of online classes and disrupted routines, leaving them feeling unprepared for the weight of these expectations.
Stress levels are high, and the pressure can feel overwhelming. Programs demand top performance, parents set high expectations, and peers unintentionally pile on the comparison game. Are your kids feeling more pressure than they’re letting on?
Mental health is often the invisible factor standing between students and their success. When emotional health takes a hit, it can affect everything, from focus and motivation to memory and decision-making. And yet, it’s the one area we don’t talk about enough.
Mental health could be the missing piece to better grades, and how addressing it can make all the difference.
How Unprocessed Emotions Can Hijack Your Focus
School is tough enough on a good day, but it can feel impossible when you’re struggling emotionally. I know this firsthand because I’ve been there. I’ve felt what it’s like when your body knows what to do, but your brain just won’t cooperate.
A couple of years ago, I thought I had adult ADHD. I couldn’t focus on tasks, no matter how hard I tried. My brain kept pulling me in different directions and constantly overwhelming me. When I finally went to my GP, I explained how I felt: scattered, unfocused, and mentally drained. That’s when he said something that stuck with me.
“You probably don’t have ADHD,” he said. “You’re constantly stressed, you’re not sleeping well, and you’ve been through a devastating loss. Your brain is still processing the trauma.”
A Lightbulb Moment About Depression
Hearing that was like a lightbulb moment. Depression wasn’t just about feeling sad; it was affecting my ability to concentrate and think clearly. It felt like someone was always screaming in my ear, making it almost impossible to focus or form coherent thoughts.
If I experience cognitive decline, what are the odds that high-performing students are experiencing the same challenges? Sure, they may be able to focus for short periods using sheer determination, relying on Adderall to concentrate or caffeine to stay alert. But how is that sustainable? A high-performing student might keep this up for a while, but what happens when they head off to university, where the workload is heavier and competition is more intense? The ability to recall and process information is tested constantly.
This is why you so often hear about university students hitting a breaking point and having mental breakdowns. Emotional intelligence, our ability to self-regulate and stay self-aware, could be the key to helping students navigate these challenges without burning out.
How Mental Health Impacts Academic Success
Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress don’t just impact how you feel; they directly affect how your brain functions. When your mental health is suffering, focusing on tasks, retaining information, and staying motivated can feel impossible. Depression doesn’t always look like sadness or hopelessness. Sometimes, it shows up as cognitive impairment. We have difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, or constantly being pulled in different directions.
The research backs this up. Nearly 50% of students say their mental health negatively affects their grades. And it’s not just them; it’s me, you, and so many people who feel like they’re falling behind because their brains won’t behave.
Why Aren’t Schools Doing More?
What frustrates me is that schools don’t do more to address mental health. If mental health is such a critical part of academic success, why aren’t they stepping up? Schools were designed decades ago to prioritize grades and test scores, and emotional health doesn’t fit neatly into that system. So, how do schools focus on stress? They emphasize stress management, meditation, hydration, and exercise. It’s like receiving comparable advice as “Take two of these and call me in the morning”. Are we dealing with this upfront or just pushing this downstream?
Mental health also carries a lingering stigma. Even though awareness is growing, some communities still consider it inappropriate to discuss in schools. Then there’s the issue of resources. Most schools don’t have the staff or funding for comprehensive mental health programs. Counsellors are stretched thin, and teachers aren’t trained to recognize or address students’ emotional struggles. Emotional intelligence levels in schools haven’t improved in over 30 years, according to a 2022 Mental Health Research Canada report, and it shows.
What You Can Do When You’re Struggling
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you procrastinating because tasks feel too big to start? Do you find it hard to focus, even on things you used to enjoy? Does schoolwork make you feel hopeless? Are you constantly tired or struggling to sleep? These are signs that your mental health might need attention, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you’re struggling.
While schools have a long way to go, there are things you can do to help yourself right now:
Start Small. Break big tasks into manageable steps.
Talk to Someone. Share your feelings with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, or counsellor.
Seek Professional Help. Therapy isn’t just for crises. It’s a proactive way to understand and manage your feelings.
Focus on the Basics. Sleep, proper nutrition, and exercise go a long way toward improving mental health.
Give Yourself Permission to Rest. Taking breaks isn’t laziness; it’s self-preservation.
More Schools Need to Step Up
At the same time, schools need to improve. They could start by adding lessons on emotional intelligence and stress management to the curriculum. They need to hire more counsellors, train teachers to recognize emotional struggles and create a culture where mental health conversations are normalized. These changes wouldn’t just make students healthier; they’d help them succeed academically and in life.
Final Thoughts
I know what it’s like to feel like your brain is working against you. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and lonely. But you’re not alone. If you’re struggling, start small, take things one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your mental health isn’t separate from your success; it’s the foundation of it. Take care of yourself first. The rest will follow.
