Along with academic classes and homework in high school comes competition. Competitions may include athletics, clubs, arts and more. Competition plays an important role in academic achievement because it often spurs students to do their best to pursue excellence. Competition also has its downfalls because it can lead to anxiety and high stress. 

Competition is advantageous when it challenges students to work harder in their studies. It can also help with sportsmanship. Not everyone wins or receives trophies. When a competition is handled fairly, and winners and losers are treated with respect, both can feel good about the experience as a whole. 

With advantages comes disadvantages for competition. Students may have fear, anxiety and disappointment when competing. Students may worry that they won’t measure up or will disappoint their team, coaches and family. Many teachers and coaches have become aware of this and have begun to promote friendly competitions that are the student vs. themselves. 

All of the AHS students were sent a poll about competitions. The majority of the students responded that competitions cause stress depending on the occasion. Competitions at Alliance High School are positive encounters most of the time. Over 65% of the students answered that having competitions pushes them to do better in school with their studies. More than half of the students that responded said that having competitions has an equal amount of advantages and disadvantages. 

Competitions have the ability to help motivate students to do better with their schoolwork, cause stress on students, provide a time for students to let loose and have fun or do all of the above. Holding competitions and participating may have some downfalls, but being able to feel accomplished and have time to do things with your friends will pay off.