School Anxiety in High School Students: Exploring the Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies

A study conducted on 78 second and third-year high school students in Thassos found that school-related anxiety is a widespread issue. Girls, in particular, showed significantly higher levels of anxiety and more physical symptoms compared to boys. The main causes of this anxiety are identified as the fear of failure, exams, and high parental expectations. Although students spend 1-2 hours studying daily, this anxiety negatively impacts their academic performance. A significant finding of the study is the lack of adequate school support for managing stress, with students relying mainly on friends and hobbies. Their suggestions for reducing anxiety include reducing the curriculum load, enhancing psychological support, and creating a less stressful educational system. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions from the educational community.