Although most students journal in classes, many dislike the process. Despite the objections of students, journaling is beneficial for mental health and school productivity.

“I used to write every day and it really helped me to grow as a person. Journaling helped me to sort out what I was going through at the moment and allowed me to get out my frustrations healthily and on a regular basis,” said senior Kristen Pang.

According to PsychCentral, “Journaling can help in clarifying your thoughts and feelings, knowing yourself better, reducing stress, solving problems more effectively and resolving disagreements with others. By taking a few minutes and routinely writing you will quickly get you in touch with your internal world, get to know what makes you feel happy and confident, become clear about situations and people who are toxic for you. Writing helps to release the intensity of feelings and by doing so you will feel calmer and better able to stay in the present. Writing about misunderstandings rather than stewing over them will help you to understand another’s point of view and may help with forming a sensible resolution to the conflict.”

Another senior Adria Pang also journals.

“Journaling is an outlet for my everyday problems . I can express my thoughts and feelings in a way that I am comfortable with. I know that I’m not being judged which allows me to admit things I might not to a person.”

Writing is beneficial for psychological aspects as well as reflecting positively in an individual’s grades.

“Journaling helps if you want to be a writer. Once I thought I wanted to be a writer. I wrote every day and noticed a constant improvement in my skill and it reflected in my overall grades,” said science teacher James Bell.

The process of journaling helps focus students on what they need to do. Daily journaling also helps build fundamental writing and problem-solving skills. It also allows students to have a safe place to express their thoughts and emotions.