Npr Podcast Challenge

The speaker, Ashley, is passionate about the education system and believes it needs more attention. She discusses the lack of mental health support for students and the pressure they face. She shares her personal experience of caring for her chronically ill father and the challenges it poses. Ashley also talks about the need for accommodations and support, as well as the importance of addressing bullying and promoting kindness and empathy. She emphasizes the need to prioritize students' well-being and create safe and enjoyable learning environments. Ashley believes that investing in students' futures is essential and hopes to continue advocating for change. Hello, everyone, this is Ashley. If you're meeting me for the first time, I'm glad to make your acquaintance. And if you've been following my podcast, welcome back. Today's topic is something that I am extremely passionate about as a high school and college student. It's something that I've seen a lot been talked about over social media, but it is something that is so underlooked and something that isn't given the importance that it truly needs to be given. And that's why I chose to talk about it today to hopefully not only bring awareness to this topic, but also let other people know that they're not alone and others feel the same exact way. So today we're going to explore the realm of education and the school system as a whole. This is a subject I deem crucial because let's face it, we devote our fair share of years attending school, spending more time there than at our own home, often spending time doing extracurricular activities, sports and other commitments. Over the years, this place has become almost like a second home to us. Yet the irony lies in the fact that despite the familiarity, school can sometimes feel like an unsafe and daunting environment. In this podcast, I'm going to not only shed light on the education system as a whole, but even give my own personal experience as to why I think the education system failed me as a student, and why I feel as if this is something that needs to be addressed and taken seriously. Something that is extremely alarming is the lack of mental health support for students within our schools. Although there are counselors, mental health is something a lot of students struggle with, especially with the amount of academic pressure put on them on a daily basis. Often schools fail to realize that, for some students, school might be the only safe haven in their lives. Yet it's disheartening that many still endure bullying, torment, and willful absence of support from the school system. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, a lot of students don't have the privilege of only having to worry about school. Many students attend school and also attend full-time jobs just to make ends meet before having to return to school the next day. These students are undermined and sometimes unfairly labeled as lazy or disregarded simply because they struggle to submit assignments on time, as well as have perfect attendance and be able to arrive on time to class every day. These are things that are often criticized or viewed negatively, but no one really asks why. Why are these students doing this? Why is this happening? The education system often fails to account for the personal life challenges that some students grapple with. This topic is especially important for me to discuss as I am, unfortunately, a student who has to care-give for my chronically ill dad. This is something that I've dealt with for a majority of my life. There are times where I am physically unable to attend class and don't have enough time to send an email or give an explanation until the next day. There are days where I've been woken up at three in the morning with ambulances outside of my house, taking my dad to the hospital because he's had another heart attack, or there's another instance of water in his lungs, and I'm too busy and frantic rushing my way to the hospital to even think about the missing assignment that I have, or emailing my teacher to explain to her what's going on. There are times where you get so caught up in the moment and forget, and I feel like it needs to be addressed. I often don't tell teachers about this because I feel so uncomfortable, but there are times where I have no other choice but to talk to them about it, and sometimes they will understand, and a lot of times they don't, and they just tell me I have to do the assignments, and there are no excuses. And it hurts because I wish circumstances were different, but unfortunately they are not, and these are the cards I'm being dealt with. And unfortunately, I can't do anything about it. There was a time last year around December where my dad unfortunately ended up in the hospital again, but this time he was in the ICU, and I was told that he might not make it. At the time, I was dealing with finals, and I didn't know what to do. And at that point, I had finally reached out to my advisors because I was struggling, and I needed to reach out for help. For the first time, I felt like I was heard, but it was almost confusing to me, as I was physically unable to attend school because I was grieving and mourning the possible loss of my dad. Yet I was told that the only way I could take my finals and pass my class is if the professor agreed upon letting me take it at home. Although I am extremely grateful that he did, it almost felt confusing that although there was a circumstance beyond my control, I still had to ask for almost approval to pass a class. And although I am extremely grateful because it is the first time I have felt seen, heard, and validated, I also felt as if I needed to prove myself in order to be able to take this final. I had to send proof, I had to email my professor, and I practically felt like I was begging for something that shouldn't even be a question I have to ask. As a student, you need to feel supported, and I almost felt like I had to prove myself in order to be supported and helped, something that the school system should already be doing in general and be offering to do no matter what the circumstance is. Mental health is another critical facet of this issue. As someone who grapples with mental health challenges and anxiety, there are mornings when the fear and anxiety make it impossible to even drive to school. For many, making friends and socializing can be incredibly daunting. Unfortunately, there seems to be a stark binary choice, either muster the courage to socialize or remain isolated. What's profoundly concerning is the fear many students have in confiding in a teacher and seeking help. This is something that should be normalized and openly discussed. It's an experience that a significant portion of the classroom could likely relate to. School can either be the best place on earth or a nightmarish ordeal for many students. We urgently need to introduce more resources and discussion surrounding mental health and bullying. It's essential to teach kindness and empathy, reminding others that we never truly know what someone else is going through. Accommodations and support should not be something students have to explicitly request. They should be readily available and integrated into the system. Prioritizing the well-being of our future leaders is imperative. The feelings and emotions that students experience are entirely valid, and it's crucial that we bring about significant changes and provide more resources to address these concerns. Every student should have the opportunity to feel welcomed and secure at school. Given that students spend a significant portion of their days, often up to eight hours or more, plus time in extracurricular activities, we must prioritize making schools safe and enjoyable places for learning. Ignoring these issues or attempting to push them aside will only exasperate the problem, affecting the well-being of current and future students. We must recognize that these children are the future leaders, congressmen, congresswomen, employers, and CEOs. Treating them with dignity, respect, and love is not just a moral obligation but a strategic investment in our collective future. No child should have to endure mental or physical struggles while feeling isolated. School is a pivotal part of their lives, and the experience that they have during these times can profoundly impact their adulthood. Hence, it's imperative to provide the necessary resources and take a more active interest in students' lives to understand their needs and desires. This topic is one that I am deeply passionate about and will continue to advocate for tirelessly because of its paramount importance. Thank you for taking time to listen and broaden your perspective on this issue. I look forward to our next episode and hope for more one-on-one discussion.