As winter comes to a close and spring approaches, students at NDB begin feeling stressed out and anxious about what the next few months will look like.

Particularly for upperclassmen, students begin studying for AP testing, which takes place in the first two weeks of May, for standardized testing (SAT or ACT), and to keep their grades up before finals.

All of this stress can take a toll on people’s mental health. To combat anxiety, students should speak with the supportive counselors at NDB, teachers who can guide them, or friends who are also going through the same thing.

Mental health is extremely important because self-happiness goes above all else. If someone is not mentally well, it is impossible for them to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. This is why finding help is always very useful and necessary.

“With the pressure of AP Exams starting soon, it can definitely be a time of stress and can be overwhelming. But to keep this stress as low as possible, I make sure to do things that I love, like hanging out with my friends and family. When doing things I love, I can not only keep my mind off the stress but also give myself a break from this stressful time of year,” said junior Sophia Madrigal.

The majority of the stress students face comes from college admissions. Students should realize that they will all end up where they should and do not need to destroy their mental health over this decision. Each student is unique and requires different needs based on where and how they best succeed. NDB students should aim to be the best version of themselves through their grades, AP scores, and testing scores, yet should not allow this to impact their mental health.

No one in this community should fear seeking help from the counselors who truly want the best for each student at NDB and are great resources for guidance as well.