DECEMBER 2012
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s studies, behavior STRESS LEVELS OF MHS STUDENTS
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is also linked to sleep deprivation, according to the “Journal of Sleep,” which can cause numerous mental and physical effects that can be harmful to health and social life. Sophomore Jacky Lu spends his time on the internet using social networking sites or just researching hobbies. “I spend around two to three hours on the internet daily and go on Facebook, YouTube, or read stuff about science,” Lu said. Meanwhile, Senior James Nguyen says he spends about six hours per day on the internet using social networking sites or for school. “The majority of my time spent is used on social networking sites, specifically Facebook,” Nguyen said. Nguyen also mentions that he gets about five hours of sleep on average, compared to the suggested 9.25 hours of sleep recommended for teenagers. Although spending countless hours on the internet is a given nowadays, the effects it has on health is undeniable. Conditions that most people would normally get at old age are now commonplace among young adults. So, in order to maintain your health for as long as you can, take a break every once and a while, even if your internet usage is mainly for school work.
MARIE TORRES 12TH GRADE
At school: students, at home: my brother and my sister, but mostly myself.
JAD GHANNOUM 9TH GRADE
Friends, video games, and just the internet.
Grade Distribution of MHS Students
-muscle pain and tension -anxiety -sleep problems -over/undereating -mood swings -lack of motivation or focus -irritability -sadness and depression -drug abuse -social withdrawal
MICHAEL CARDENAS 12TH GRADE
Well I have ADHD, so pretty much everything.
0.0-2.0
Common Effects of Stress
2.0-2.5
(GPA weighted)
2.5-3.0
or react quickly, which is useful in winning a race or finishing an important job.
3.0-3.5
stress affects not only academics, but also behavior. Stress tends to negatively affect test scores as well as attitude, according to Sophomore Tan Nguyen. “I feel like stress has a negative effect on me both academically and behaviorally,” Nguyen said. “On days that I sacrifice sleep to study, I find that I generally score lower on those tests and spend the rest of the day feeling grumpy, and even the slightest thing will upset me.” Both WebMD and Mayo Clinic say that stress can affect one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Some effects include feeling cranky, frustrated, or tired, finding it hard to focus on tasks, anxiety, restlessness, and depression. Senior Sherilyn Thach agrees. “Stress can bring the worst out of people,” Thach said. “People can get crankier, hungrier, or even have sudden anxiety attacks. I will lock myself in my room in fear of snapping at people for the littlest things.” However, Thach also thinks that stress can have some positive effects, especially when one learns to deal with stress better. Stress has actually helped Thach’s grades a little more because the stress motivates Thach to work harder. Stress can also serve as a motivating factor, according to WebMD. Stress can make you work harder
ROM L E A R N ING AT HOM E A N D AT SCHOOL?
ay food or sleeping.
Internet usage among students is so commonplace that the notion of using it for less than four hours a day seems preposterous. With everything the Internet has to offer, it’s hard not to be drawn to the internet and its distractions, not to mention the fact that much of our schoolwork requires us to use the Internet nowadays. However, the validity of Internet addiction disorder (IAD) is actually being debated, according to the American Psychiatric Association. According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, teenagers spend on average more than seven hours a day on the Internet. While the concept of the internet being an addiction can seem silly, overuse of the Internet can also have many effects on health. According to the founder of Computer Addiction Services in Harvard, internet over usage can cause health problems such as weight gain and deterioration of physical fitness. Other effects can include dry eyes, migraines, and back aches. Aside from physical problems, IAD is also associated with depression, ADHD, and social anxiety, according to a study from the Institute of Psychological Sciences. IAD
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School 62%
EST TRAN
BY ALICIA NGUYEN
greatest
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H GRADE
Internet overuse takes toll
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1 least
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Procrastination plagues students BY JAMIE LAM
Homework, sports, clubs, and part-time jobs. For some of us, it’s not easy balancing our schedules and finding time to get everything done. As high school students, the only way we can execute this balancing act is by managing time wisely. Unfortunately, poor time management and procrastination prevent a majority of high school students from doing their best in school. Managing time poorly often leads to sleep deprivation, bad grades, stress, and less free-time. Junior Rakshit Garg said his schedule is always full, as he is an avid member of Speech and Debate, plays tennis, and participates in DECA. Garg said his most challenging classes this year are AP Chemistry and AP Calculus BC. “My time gets devoted to homework and debate,” Garg said. “I sleep as late as I need to in order to get things done”. When asked if he had ever procrastinated, Garg admitted he had in the past. “Procrastination hasn’t always been negative for me though,” Garg said. “It pushes me to work really hard in those final hours before an assignment is due”. Garg said he tries to keep from procrastinating by starting on assignments before they are due . Sophomore Brandon Do said that he manages his time poorly because he helps people with other
things. Do, who frequently performs for shows and is a part of 3 different clubs, said his most challenging classes this year are Honors Chemistry and Algebra 2 Trigonometry. “I always procrastinate, and it affects my grades pretty harshly but sometimes I think it’s worth it, depending on the reason why I have to procrastinate,” Do said. “I don’t keep myself from procrastinating. I just do whatever I feel like! It’s more stress-free, in my opinion”. As a part of the California Youth Symphony (CYS), Senior Joshua Lin spends most of his time in music. His most challenging classes this year are AP English and AP Calculus BC, according to Lin. “Personally, I don’t have the best time management,” Lin said. “I just happen to know my capabilities well. I tend to practice my violin after school and spend the rest of the night completing my homework”. Lin said he often finds himself procrastinating, but that he makes sure to give himself enough time to finish his assignments. Lin said that he is usually tired after not getting enough sleep due to his workload. “The best way to keep myself from procrastinating is to keep my work accessible,” Lin said. “The most difficult part about doing a project or typing a paper is opening it and actually starting. If I just leave my document open or have my project on my desk, I know that eventually, I will get to working on it”.