Wellness is essential for a student’s life in and outside of school. Without wellness, people would be struggling with many things at school and at home, which include, but are not limited to, homework, chores, health, hygiene, etc.

How does social media affect student wellness?

Students today are surrounded by media 24/7, making it a major influence on their daily lives- especially their behavior in school. What students see online can affect their productivity and change the way they interact with others during the school day.

Online content can bring about both positive and negative behaviors. Negative effects include constant scrolling can lead to zoning out, lack of focus, sleeping in class, and falling behind academically.

Many students feel pressured to keep up with trending content, which can increase stress and distract them from their responsibilities.

On the other hand, when used correctly, it can help students build positive habits. Study-tip videos, motivational posts, journaling, and wellness-focused creators can inspire students to become more organized, motivated, and take better care of themselves while improving social habits.

For some, social media becomes a tool for learning and self-improvement rather than a distraction.

Is it healthy to do nothing but study?

While studying is essential for academic success, focusing on schoolwork nonstop can negatively impact a student’s mental and personal life. Students are pressured by heavy workloads, high expectations, and the constant push to perform well.

Studying for an excessive amount of time can weaken attention span, making it harder to retain information. Without breaks, students may feel mentally drained, overwhelmed, or disconnected from other aspects of their lives.

Balance is necessary- not just to succeed academically, but to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Naomi Ludemann, a sophomore at East, is part of the choir program and color guard. Ludemann is also part of a dance team outside of school, which fills up her schedule.

“Some people express stress and problems they’re dealing with to other students about tests, burnout, or lack of sleep. But at the same time, a lot of others don’t feel comfortable saying anything, either because they don’t want to feel weak, don’t want to be judged, don’t trust who they tell, or feel like others won’t understand,” Ludemann  said.

Ludemann expresses how many people hide their feelings, thinking no one will understand. Though many people shrug it off, thinking it may not be affecting them, in reality, it damages them mentally.

Jayden Griggs, a Junior at East and part of the band program, shares how he manages his studying habits.

“I know studying is boring, but studying for 30 minutes, then taking a break and studying it again is good. It’s on and off. You won’t get too bored, and you’ll have downtime in between each time, so your brain is open.” Griggs said.

Though many students believe that studying isn’t affecting them much, stress affects them mentally by making them struggle with other things that include and are not limited to communication, socializing, and self-expression.

What is the alternative?

Some students alleviate the stress by doing activities in school. Some examples are band, choir, theatre, cooking, and academic study periods.

Vihaan Rawatt, a Junior at East, takes many advanced placement and honor classes. The student manages by having a class to get rid of the stress.

“In school. I do band, which is my main activity inside of school, which I enjoy a lot, because playing my instrument is just a really fun thing to do. It’s really calming, like, exhaust breaks in school, like, I’ll test and stuff. So it’s really nice to have a break period anyway.” Rawatt said.

For students like Rawatt, having at least one class or extracurricular activity dedicated to creativity and relaxation helps them manage difficult schoolwork more effectively.

Healthy alternatives include joining clubs, participating in sports or music, spending time with friends and family, or simply taking a walk. These activities help recharge mentally and emotionally, making academic efforts more effective.

Finding a balance between academics, media use, and personal life is essential. The solution for many students is not to eliminate studying or social media, but to use both in moderation.

More options to having an alternative to relieve stress could be creating a daily or weekly schedule. When students plan their study time, breaks, and personal activities, they are more likely to stay focused and avoid burnout. For example, a student might schedule three hours of studying, two hours of social media, and an hour of relaxing or a hobby. Even short breaks can refresh the brain and improve productivity.

Another option is setting boundaries with technology. Turning off notifications or putting the phone in another room while studying can help students stay on track.

Social media, academics, and personal life all play major roles in a student’s daily routine. While social media can influence behavior in both positive and negative ways, and constant studying can lead to burnout, a balanced approach is key.

By setting boundaries, taking breaks, and finding fulfilling activities outside of academics, students can maintain a healthy lifestyle while still succeeding in school.

Written by seniors Geovanni Jurado and Melynda Patton. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.