Late at night, after they’ve finished their homework, some students turn to their journal, hoping that a page and pencil can release the stress from the day and serve as a small pause in their schedule.
LASA’s academic curriculum, which is ranked 36 in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Reports, is described as rigorous by USA Today. This leaves some students overwhelmed, so journaling has become a way for them to cope with stress. Teachers and students have described journaling as a practice that can help focus, clear the mind, and help with academic performance in the long run. Journaling can take many different forms, such as daily reflections, gratitude lists, or bullet points of words that can spark deeper thought.
Academic Counselor Cristina Torres said that journaling helps students process emotions that otherwise remain bottled up. She explained that putting worries into words gives students a way to confront them.
“Sometimes when you hold it in, your brain is going through all of the things,” Torres said. “Just letting it out gives you peace, because you’ve confronted it.”
Academic Counselor Carole McPherson highlighted the cognitive benefits of writing. She explained that engaging the brain’s motor system by handwriting keeps students focused and helps them retain information.
“People who write things down retain about 80 percent of what they learn, compared to 20 percent if they don’t,” McPherson said. “Writing keeps your thoughts in a linear pattern instead of flying all over the place.”
For junior Kate Wright, journaling has become a personal ritual. She stated that she has developed a practice of choosing a single word for each day to reflect on.
“I feel more aware, definitely looking closer at my surroundings,” Wright said. “I pay more attention to conversations and the kinds of people I am interacting with. It forces me to think critically … and find something remarkable about an otherwise mundane day.”
According to McPhearson, LASA’s curriculum can often cause students to worry about their assessments. However, for many students, just writing down those fears makes them easier to manage.
“When you see it on paper, you realize it’s something you can face,” McPherson said. “Even just writing, ‘I’m having a hard day,’ can make a difference.”
When it comes to journaling, both counselors agreed students should start small. McPherson encouraged writing short bullet points, such as starting with a list, while Torres recommended focusing on gratitudes, or using short diary style reflections.
“When I see students using a tool, you can see a difference,” Torres said. “They make time for it because they know it helps.”
While there are other ways to deal with stress and fear, the counselors pointed out how journaling comes with advantages. It’s more private than talking to someone, and it keeps the mind from wandering the way it does during meditation.
“Journaling helps me put school stress behind me,” Wright said. “At the end of the day, it feels like a reward. I can finally put my thoughts down and go to sleep without worrying as much.”