Diamonds are undeniably a flawless and dazzling stone worthy of its high value. These brilliant gems formed under immense pressure are even equipped to last a lifetime with little vulnerabilities, thus, the birth of the quote “pressure makes diamonds.” This same saying is used to motivate us to push our potentials to the fullest. But what if the pressure does not turn you into a diamond? What if it instead breaks you as opposed to the lingering belief that it makes us perform at our peak? 

 

Because humans are not diamonds, right?

 

Diamonds don’t usually break, they rarely do. But, we are just human, after all. We are not unbreakable with little weaknesses like diamonds. Yet, students are expected to shine bright in an environment where the pressure not only comes from their parents, but also from their teachers, the society, and themselves. It seems as though this extreme pressure pinned on students does more harm than good. 

 

In the field of academics, the pervasiveness of having high expectations towards students to do well has been ingrained not only in the society but also to the students themselves. This is certainly something that is not new to students, rather, is a situation that has started from the early age of six years old where most of us are just being introduced to formal education. And to imagine that students have the ability to stay in this tight position of trying to conform with the expectations of society for almost 17 years spent at school is both astonishing and concerning. 

 

In a 2019 review study by Pascoe, it was found out that academic pressure is linked with several mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, weak holistic health, and high levels of stress and burnout which ironically led to lower academic achievement. In addition to this, students are feeling stressed and worried about studying, taking exams, and getting poor grades. Everything students had to do became overwhelming and mentally exhausting.

 

Academic pressure became so normal in the demanding life of students when it should not be taking an enormous toll on them. When students should be relaxing their body and minds on exams, instead, this is the time where they are not getting enough rest due to insufficient sleep and they call it “hell week”. The never ending amount of workload also adds up to their already busy selves and noisy minds. Extracurricular activities became a competition of proving who is the better student instead of honing one’s talents and skills. On top of all these, perfection is still expected from the students. 

 

But students need not high expectations nor the achievement of perfection, rather, they need encouragement to unlock their hidden potential and lift their spirits for them to succeed. In the chaotic academic world filled with competitions and trials, the power of saying the proper words and showing the right actions can make so much difference on a student’s behavior and feeling towards learning and school as a whole. They deserve to be seen. Not from their shortcomings but from their achievements. Every accomplishment, no matter how great or small it is, is worthy of credit.

 

For one, academic pressure can still produce pleasant and satisfying results. However, it is not for everyone. No one single formula works for every single person. One can turn out the best, yet one can also be the complete opposite.

 

Still, if I would choose between having satisfactory grades with mental health problems and feeling confident about myself and my capabilities as an individual, I would definitely go for the latter. So, to the students, do not be discouraged if you are not able to fit in their puzzles. Do not grow up based on someone else’s plan for you have the ability to create your own future. And may this also remind every single one of us that pressure may really make expensive diamonds, but with proper encouragement, we may even shine brighter than a polished diamond.