A recent report warns that many students overwork themselves to chase grades and resumes. (This habit can cause anxiety, stress, and burnout.) (KVIA)
Parents and schools should notice signs of anxiety and burnout early. Early detection can prevent long-term mental health problems.
Experts say students often join many activities to build resumes for schools and jobs. Those activities can overload students and harm their wellbeing. (KVIA)
A therapist at a community health network warns that overwork can become obsessive. The therapist says anxiety, stress, and lack of motivation can follow. (KVIA)
The therapist advises parents to watch for harmful behaviors and to discuss switching activities. She says it is okay to drop activities that cause anxiety. (KVIA)
This issue matters to Thai families because Thai students commonly face heavy study loads. Many Thai students attend school and extra tutorial classes after hours. (This pattern increases risk of stress and sleep loss.) (PMC study on Thai students)
A 2024 Bangkok study found high rates of psychological distress among high school students. The study surveyed over 8,000 students across Bangkok. The researchers reported notable anxiety and depressive symptoms. (Psychological Distress Among High School Students in Bangkok)
International reviews link long study hours and test pressure to lower student wellbeing. The OECD notes that testing overload can increase school-related anxiety. (Policymakers must weigh exam schedules against wellbeing.) (OECD student wellbeing review)
Research on online learning also found high rates of depression and anxiety in students during pandemic-era schooling. The study linked assignment load and uncertainty to mental health declines. (Impact of Online Learning and Health Behavior on Mental Health)
Globally, many students report homework as a top source of stress. Surveys show that high nightly homework time correlates with worse sleep and more anxiety. (Students who study more than two hours nightly face more stress.) (CrownCounseling homework statistics)
Thai education policy has tried to address homework burden in the past. The Ministry of Education announced measures to reduce homework and screen time for online learning in 2021. The policy aimed to lower student stress during distance schooling. (Nation Thailand report on homework policy)
Despite policy efforts, many Thai students still attend extra tutorial classes after school. Parents often seek tutoring to improve exam chances for elite schools. This cultural pressure can add to students’ workload and anxiety. (PMC study on quality of life and educational stress)
Signs of overwork include chronic tiredness, sudden drop in grades, irritability, and loss of interest. Parents should look for these signs at home and in school. Early conversations can help students rebalance activities and rest.
Schools can reduce harm by limiting assignment load and by coordinating deadlines. Schools can also teach time management and stress coping skills in class. These steps can lower anxiety and improve learning.
Mental health services in schools can catch problems early. Counselling staff can screen students for stress and burnout. Schools should expand counselling access in both urban and rural areas.
Parents can set clear limits on activities and homework time. Parents should encourage sleep, balanced meals, and daily breaks from screens. These habits protect both mental and physical health.
Teachers should grade quality over quantity for assignments. Teachers can assign fewer, deeper tasks that build skills without overload. This approach can reduce busywork and boost meaningful learning.
Community leaders should promote balanced resumes for university applications. Employers and universities can value depth over breadth in extracurriculars. Public campaigns can shift norms that reward overload.
Buddhist values of balance and moderation can guide families. Thai culture values calm, family support, and respect for elders. Families can use these values to support students who feel pressure.
Parents can have structured talks with their children about goals and limits. Ask children what activities they enjoy and what causes stress. These conversations can empower students to make healthier choices.
Schools can offer workshops on burnout prevention for students and parents. These workshops can teach signs of anxiety and simple coping techniques. Practical tools can include breathing exercises and time-blocking.
Policymakers can review exam schedules and extracurricular expectations. They can consult educators, psychologists, and student representatives. Policy adjustments can reduce systemic pressure on students.
Universities and employers can publish clearer admission criteria. They can explain how they evaluate extracurriculars and grades. This transparency can reduce the incentive for students to overcommit.
Research gaps remain on how culture shapes overwork in Thailand. More local studies can detail links between tutoring culture and mental health. The government can fund such research and share findings publicly.
Schools should collect basic wellbeing data each year. Simple anonymous surveys can track stress trends and hotspots. Data can guide targeted interventions and resource allocation.
Healthcare providers should screen adolescents for stress during routine visits. Primary care doctors can ask about sleep, homework hours, and extracurricular loads. Early referrals to mental health services can prevent escalation.
Parents should limit screen-based study late at night. Late screens harm sleep and mood. Encourage offline study in early evening when possible.
Students should learn to prioritise tasks and say no to overload. Saying no can be hard in competitive settings. Parents and teachers must support students who set healthy limits.
Counsellors recommend reducing commitments when signs of burnout appear. Switching out of an activity is acceptable and healthy. Families should normalise changing plans for wellbeing.
Schools can create “no-homework” nights each week. These nights can give students a real break for rest and family time. Such policies can improve sleep and reduce stress.
Local NGOs can run peer support groups for stressed students. Peer groups can normalise feelings and share coping strategies. Peer support can reduce stigma around seeking help.
Employers who hire young people can support flexible study schedules. Employers can allow time off for exams and study. Supportive workplaces help students balance work and education.
Parent-teacher meetings can include mental health agendas. Teachers can present signs of stress and recommend resources. These meetings can build cooperative strategies at home and school.
Religious and community centres can host balance-focused activities. Meditation and mindful breathing can reduce anxiety quickly. Community activities can also strengthen social support.
Universities can study the long-term outcomes of overwork in Thai students. Longitudinal studies can link adolescent stress to adult health and career outcomes. These findings can inform policy and practice.
Civil society can push for public reporting of student wellbeing metrics. Transparency can hold schools and policymakers accountable. It can also focus attention on persistent problem areas.
Budget allocations for school mental health remain limited in many provinces. The government can increase funding for counsellors and training. Targeted funding can reach under-resourced schools.
Parents should model balanced behaviour and healthy work habits. Children notice parental stress and time use. Adults can lead by limiting overtime and practising rest.
Teachers should receive mental health training during professional development. Training can help teachers recognise burnout and support students. Schools can partner with mental health organisations for training.
Students who feel overwhelmed should contact school counsellors early. Counsellors can help develop realistic schedules and coping plans. Early help can keep students in school and learning.
The media can highlight success stories of balanced student lives. Positive examples can shift cultural expectations. Media can also publicise practical tips and resource lists.
Local governments can pilot reduced homework policies in selected districts. Pilots can measure academic and wellbeing outcomes. Successful pilots can scale to national policy.
Parents can set bedtime routines and enforce consistent sleep schedules. Good sleep improves memory, mood, and concentration. Sleep rules can reduce late-night studying and anxiety.
Schools can teach time management with specific tools. Tools can include planners, prioritisation charts, and study blocks. Practical instruction can help students handle legitimate workloads.
Counsellors recommend combining exercise with study breaks. Short physical activity boosts mood and cognitive function. Schools can schedule brief activity breaks during long study sessions.
Universities and high schools can coordinate to align admission timelines. Clear calendars can reduce last-minute rushes and extra activities. Coordination can cut peak stress periods for students.
Parents should check for physical signs of stress like headaches or stomachaches. Physical symptoms often accompany emotional stress in adolescents. Medical checks can rule out other causes and guide referrals.
Teachers should give clear rubrics to reduce student anxiety about grades. Clear expectations help students focus on key skills. Rubrics can also reduce unnecessary revision and work.
Policymakers can incentivise schools that show improved student wellbeing. Incentives can include grants and recognition. Positive reinforcement can encourage widespread change.
Community mental health hotlines can promote services for students in crisis. Hotlines can offer immediate advice and referrals. Schools should widely distribute hotline information.
Parents and teachers must avoid shaming students for dropping activities. Shaming can worsen anxiety and lower self-esteem. Instead, celebrate prioritisation and wellbeing choices.
Students should practice brief daily mindfulness to reduce stress. Five minutes of simple breathing can lower anxiety quickly. Schools can teach this practice in homeroom or physical education.
Research should evaluate the academic trade-offs of reducing homework. Trials can compare grades, skills, and wellbeing across different homework loads. Evidence can guide balanced policy choices.
Families should consider activity quality over activity quantity. Depth in one hobby can bring skill and joy. Superficial multitasking often adds stress without real benefit.
Schools should create recovery time after major exams. Recovery time can prevent extended burnout. Schools can also stagger major assessments to spread workload.
Parents should communicate with teachers about realistic workload expectations. Joint planning can prevent overlapping major assignments. Collaboration can protect student mental health.
Thai families can apply Buddhist moderation to daily schedules. Moderation supports mental balance and reduces craving for performance. Cultural values can help shift norms toward wellbeing.
In conclusion, overwork harms students by increasing anxiety and reducing motivation. Thai families, schools, and policymakers can act now to rebalance education and wellbeing.
Action steps for parents: monitor sleep, limit activities, and talk with children. Action steps for schools: reduce assignment load, expand counselling, and teach time management. Action steps for policymakers: review exams, fund mental health, and pilot homework reforms.
Act now to protect students’ mental health and future potential. Small changes in family and school routines can yield big benefits.