High school students take on a great amount of stress in their everyday lives. These troubles and anxieties commonly relate to grades, sports, social and dynamic issues, family problems, and many more.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center these issues are usually more enlarged by personal emotions, meaning that people tend to amp up a problem in their minds. Once this is the case, it is extremely hard to wind down and decompress. 

Yet hard to overcome, there is a technique, among many, that has a calming effect as well as a way to emotionally let go. 

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, journaling is an ensured way to express a person’s self in a healthy way. 

 “It’s simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.” 

The article said that if a person is struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal or writing out on paper what’s harming a person can be a great, positive approach. “It can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.”   

There are many different skills, lessons, and creative benefits gained from the art of writing. Words to a story, to a poem, to a novel or even to a book, all can be accomplished after school on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, in sponsor Katie Stewart’s room, 209. 

At meetings, students partake in a friendly sharing of writing, comfortable chatting of how to improve, and even talk of future competition. 

Although it is Stewart’s first official year of leading this band of creative students, she has important plans for the future. 

“I would really like to see this group expand, I want kids to know it’s not all about writing, we chat, laugh and use this time as a creative outlet.” 

However, she sees potential for possible competition. 

“I would love more structured submissions to contests, maybe even Highlands-based contests, even would be wonderful to invite local authors in.”  

But, with big future plans, comes an even stronger message of the importance of expression. 

Stewart said that it’s not solely about the writing, it’s about letting out what’s on one’s mind. Writing is a fun way to spend a person’s free time, away from the stresses of school, deadlines, and other pressures. 

“I want all kids to feel welcome in my club, it’s absolutely a safe space for all and an outlet for kids to let out their thoughts in a healthy, creative and comfortable way.”