By Sedrick Frierson
Hugo High School
Student Reporter

The teacher raises her voice. She is definitely angry. Maybe she is upset at the whole class, but she is directing her words toward one student. How this student reacts will determine the teacher’s opinion of him or her and the time they spend in the principal’s office or detention. What are the student’s options?  Let’s discuss the appropriate ways to handle anger, frustration and stress.    
Teenage anger and frustration levels can be raised in a hurry especially when the teenager is stressed or tired. The methods you can use to lower these levels are venting, not speaking when emotionally charged and walking away.
The power to walk away is always a good option.  When two students are having a confrontation, accusations and threats are usually exchanged. However, just because a threat is made doesn’t mean anyone has to react violently. Walking away from a confrontation doesn’t mean a person is a coward. It shows others that a person’s maturity level and anger management skills are better than other’s.  
Mrs. Shanklin, Hugo High School’s Assistant Principal, suggests that a student should not say everything they think. A student should sort through their thoughts first and then only say the appropriate thoughts out loud.  
Venting can help a student’s anger and frustration levels. This can be done by the simplest tasks, such as talking to someone about the current situation. This helps by allowing you to calm down and reassess the problem from a different point of view. Venting can keep a student from acting when emotionally charged.
Redirecting anger or negative energy allows the human body to appropriately relieve stress. Exercising, hard work or practicing sports can allow a student to rethink and release pent up feelings. A person can do any of these without hurting or offending others.
If a student plays a musical instrument or enjoys music, it can also be very calming.  Music releases endorphins in the brain to help a person feel better. Any music genre can work in achieving a calming experience.
Respect is most important when talking to adults. Students can do this by listening, letting them talk and getting to know them before a negative opinion is established.  Respect for everyone will help anger and frustration levels decrease. When an adult upsets a student, there are steps available to process anger before an unacceptable reaction occurs. It is always important to speak to others the way you want to be spoken to.
Appropriate behavior can benefit everyone in the long run.  It shows maturity and smart thinking. Some benefits of appropriate behavior are more freedom and a happier school life.