By Jeremy Lung (Y13)
And how it benefits it!
Why should I read this?
If you are doing the IGCSE, IB, or Maturité, you probably already know the feeling of:
| Constant deadlines | Endless tests |
| Pressure to do well | Disappointment |
| Exhaustion | Hatred for school |
School is no longer a fountain of curiosity and knowledge; it’s a full-time mental workload. Studies consistently show how academic pressure can diminish students’ mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and more, further heightened by the demanding systems of our schools, like the IB or Maturité.
For more information on the causes, effects, and coping strategies, visit: https://mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/academic-pressure
This article will explore how exercise improves students’ well-being and how to fit it into our busy school lives.
Where does exercise come in?
Simply put, exercise makes you a better student:
Exercise isn’t only about “being fit” or “having a hobby”; it’s human nature. From an evolutionary perspective, humans are built for regular physical activity. Humans developed in environments where walking, running, and physical activity were necessary for survival. As a result, movement is closely linked to how well our brains operate.
Therefore, exercise actually makes your brain work better. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress, increase focus and energy levels, improve sleep and mood, alongside its numerous physical benefits. (Halde, Ahmed)
The issue
The reality that most students face is that as school demands rise, anything outside studying becomes a “waste of time”. As a result, stressed students view physical activity as optional. Rather than making students less stressed by prioritizing school over physical activity, it can have the opposite effect, where endless studying, sitting in the same chair for hours with no physical movement, reduces overall well-being.
The solution
The solution is not to give up studying to become a professional athlete, or to “find extra time”. But it’s to embed movement into your existing life. Here’s how you can do it:
To acquire all the benefits of physical activity, you do not need to dedicate your life to it; only 60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day is enough to aid in your school life. (CDC)
On average, adolescents spend 4-5 (Duarte, Fabio) hours daily on screens, so next time you pick up your phone, maybe reconsider and go for a light jog and see the benefits!
Key takeaways
School is stressful and known to diminish students’ well-being. Exercise can greatly improve students’ school life, but is often neglected.
It’s not about balancing school and physical activity equally
It’s about making sure nothing important disappears
If school is the pressure and screens are the escape, movement can be the reset button. Sometimes a reset is all a student needs. So get up and move.
Sources
Image 1:
“Brain with Book Smart Cartoon Healthy Cute Human Intelligence and Learning” Pngtree, 2024,
Tong, Victoria. “Are High School Students Too Stressed Out?” The Tide, 2019, thermtide.com/7322/popular/are-high-school-students-too-stressed-out/.
Infographic:
Halde, Ahmed. “How Exercise Supports Cognitive Function and Memory Retention.” TARIQ Educational Foundation , Blogger, 8 Dec. 2025, www.tariqef.com/2025/12/how-exercise-supports-cognitive.html.
Data:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What Counts for Children and Teens.” Physical Activity Basics, 14 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/adding-children-adolescents/what-counts.html.
Duarte, Fabio. “Time Spent Using Smartphones (2024 Statistics).” Exploding Topics, Exploding Topics, 4 June 2024, explodingtopics.com/blog/smartphone-usage-stats.
Vallejo, Michael. “Academic Pressure: Causes, Effects, and Coping Strategies.” Mental Health Center Kids, 2023, mentalhealthcenterkids.com/blogs/articles/academic-pressure.