As a student in the Ilocos Region, Philippines, I am personally experiencing an overwhelming amount of stress due to the number of simultaneous summative tests assigned each day. This practice not only hampers our ability to focus on each subject effectively but also contributes significantly to our mental and emotional stress.

According to a study by Stanford University, students who experience excessive stress may suffer from physical health problems such as headaches and sleep deprivation. They may also develop poor coping skills and habits that can lead to lifelong struggles with anxiety (Stanford News, 2014).

In our region alone, many students echo my sentiments. We are pleading for a change in this system - for the reduction of simultaneous summative tests per day. This will not only improve our academic performance but will also contribute positively towards our overall well-being.

Amidst my second semester of senior high school: both major and minor summative exams were planned on the same day. For someone who often handled their academic workload quite well, the flow of tests felt like a tsunami striking us.

The first test, a basic calculus test, was coming up like a dark cloud. The subject matter was so difficult that studying for it was a difficult work. Still, I clenched my jaw and dived into the field of integrals and derivatives, determined to understand the subject. 

Amidst the calculus chaos, the looming exams in minor subjects added an extra layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation. Each minor subject presented its own unique challenges, further complicating an already daunting academic landscape.

An hour before the next test, which is general chemistry. We were cramming as much information into our brain as humanly possible. By the time our teacher arrived, we were a nervous wreck as we tried to recall the intricacies of chemical reactions and molecular structures.

As soon as the chemistry test ended, We reviewed for our next test which is statistics. But with our brain already feeling like mush from the previous subjects, we struggled to focus. Every word we read seemed to blur together.

In the end, though, we managed to summon whatever reserves of strength we had left. It wasn't pretty, and we knew we hadn't performed well, but atleast we survived.

We urge educational institutions in the Ilocos Region to consider this plea seriously. Let's prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to education. Please sign this petition if you believe in creating a healthier learning environment for all students.