High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : How Students Survive Pressure Island

L.A. Times Archives

Oct. 8, 1992 12 AM PT

The heat is on.

Teen-agers get stressed out by all sorts of things. From feeling the strain of making good grades to the tensions experienced in athletics and interpersonal relationships, the pressures can be great.

Hot Topics wonders, “How do you psych yourself into doing well under pressure?”

“I give myself a mental pep talk. After the pressure’s been lifted--I go wild!”

Rachelle Mendoza, 16,

junior, Mater Dei

“I watch TV and eat.”

Paula Nguyen, 17,

senior, University

“I just try to remember that even if I do mess up a little, that’s OK, because everybody does it once in awhile.”

Tracie Adams, 15,

sophomore, Rancho Alamitos

“I think studying with friends makes it easier. I psyche myself up along with my friends.”

Deborah Mundis, 13,

freshman, Laguna Hills

“I hang my head over the side of my desk. I read somewhere that doing this sends blood to my brain, and, therefore, makes me better prepared to face the exam.”

Hannah Riley, 15,

sophomore, Foothill

“I ignore the pressure and just do it normally.”

Karen Jhawar, 16,

junior, Connelly

“I sit on my rear end and study, while hoping for the best and expecting the worst.”

Stephanie Cheung, 17,

senior, Katella

“For swimming, I say, ‘My arms are not arms, they are machines. They cannot feel any pain at all.’ For tests, I say, ‘This pen has not written any mistakes.’ You have to have confidence in yourself.”

Wendy Hill, 14,

freshman, Garden Grove

“Think only of positive results, not negative ones.”

Brian Rober, 16,

junior, Brea-Olinda

“Think about how it’ll feel when I’m done with everything. I take one step at a time and try to be organized.”

Jody Caruso, 17,

senior, El Dorado

“I start concentrating on whatever I’m doing.”

Mark Borucki, 14,

freshman, Los Amigos

“I yell at anything or anyone I can yell at to release all my stress.”

Josh Spitz, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“I usually sit quietly at some place and think about the things I’m about to do with total concentration. If all else fails, I take a deep breath and let out a scream to relieve the tension.”

Hason Vu, 17,

senior, Saddleback

“I drink a lot of sodas.”

Fransis Camba, 12,

freshman, St. Michael’s Prep

“Before I go to sleep, I imagine myself playing my best and winning. Practice also helps a lot.”

Jason Alexander, 15,

sophomore, Trabuco Hills

“I try not to worry about it. If I get stressed, then I listen to the Cult.”

Leann Tchaicovsky, 15,

sophomore, Marina

“I hold my breath and think about the Mater Dei basketball and baseball teams doing aerobics, then I laugh.”

Megan Coleman, 17,

senior, Mater Dei

“I’ve just got to be alone.”

Sherif Nagi, 17,

senior, University

“I go into my own little world, where nothing can phase me and all outside influences do not exist.”

Terrance James, 16,

junior, Laguna Hills

“I eat candy.”

Trang Ngyen, 17,

senior, Katella

“I sit down, relax and take time for myself.”

Mary Patrick, 16,

junior, Connelly

“I rehearse and go through the routine in my mind.”

Ron Pham, 17,

senior, Rancho Alamitos

“I think to myself, ‘It’s no big deal; soon it will be over and I won’t have to deal with it.’ Then I can go back to relaxation.”

Viviana Garcia, 17,

senior, Brea-Olinda

“I think if I don’t do it, it won’t get done.”

Meredith Lynch, 14,

freshman, El Dorado

“I try to compete with my friends--kind of like friendly competition. That motivates me.”

Irene Yang, 15,

sophomore, Garden Grove

“I just put down all my work and take a nap. Otherwise, I don’t psyche myself up.”

Steve Psoneff, 17,

senior, Huntington Beach

“The thought that I have to succeed for my parents and get into a good college motivates me.”

Nikki Dinh, 17,

senior, Saddleback

“I think of the consequences of the pressure.”

Alfonso Pena, 15,

sophomore, St. Michael’s Prep

“Pressure instills fear and fear is the greatest motivator. I work best under pressure. I’ve never in my life had something in a day early. I need pressure to work. I mean, I’ve done some of my best work at 3 in the morning.”

Ernie Halter, 17,

senior, Foothill

“I just tell myself I’m great.”

Georgiana Bashai, 16,

senior, Marina

“I concentrate on my responsibilities, and I try to remain cool-headed.”

Sean O’Farrell, 17,

senior, Trabuco Hills

“I meditate with Jim Morrison’s music playing. I get mellow, and then I’m ready to handle the pressure.”

Melissa Matthewson, 15,

sophomore, Mater Dei

“I picture myself getting through whatever is causing me the pressure successfully. Like, before playing a big basketball game, I see myself making all of my shots.”

Sarah Beckley, 16,

junior, Brea-Olinda

“During each swim meet, I look upon my opponents as my enemies. I treat it as a life-or-death situation.”

Jim Ha, 17,

senior, Garden Grove

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

What’s the hardest thing to say to a friend?