Many high school students feel overwhelmed because they approach their workload as one large, undefined problem instead of a series of small tasks that can be completed one at a time. When assignments, homework, tests and extracurricular commitments all blend together, the mind treats them as a single source of pressure, which creates stress and reduces the ability to start any of them effectively. Students often think they are overwhelmed because they are not capable enough or not organized enough, but the real issue is that their work has not been broken into clear, manageable steps. When a task feels unclear, the brain avoids it, which leads to procrastination, rushed work and even more stress. For me, a personal anecdote is when I need to start a CompSci assignment, or project, it is next to impossible to even start if I don’t break things up and plan ahead. For most students, this doesn’t need to be such a high level, but any level of task decomposition is effective.

Task decomposition means taking any piece of work and dividing it into specific actions that can be completed within short time periods. For example, instead of writing in your planner that you need to study for science, identify the exact actions such as review chapter three, complete ten practice questions and summarise key terms. Instead of telling yourself to start an English essay, identify the actions of choosing a quote, writing a thesis, planning the paragraphs and drafting the introduction. Clear steps reduce mental load because you always know the next action.

A second cause of feeling overwhelmed is the lack of a predictable routine. When tasks are done randomly or only when motivation appears, there is no structure that helps the mind stay on track. Creating a simple daily routine with short focused study blocks gives your brain a reliable framework to work within and prevents last minute stress. A final factor is unrealistic expectations. Many students try to complete everything at once, which guarantees burnout. Focusing on one task at a time and finishing it before moving on increases productivity and reduces anxiety. Overwhelm is not a sign that you are unable to succeed. It is simply a signal that your tasks need clearer structure and more realistic steps.

Samin Sadaf Hossain