New Life! High School Boys Tend to Be 'Excited,' While High School Girls Tend to Be 'Anxious'

With the arrival of spring, we increasingly see new graduates and new students in the city, making it a season filled with a sense of freshness. At this time of year, when people embark on new environments, while some are filled with anticipation, it's likely that many young people also feel anxious. So, what emotions do high school students actually have towards their new lives? Is it 'excitement'? Or is it 'anxiety'? 'Wakamono Research,' a marketing information site targeting teenagers and current high school students (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/), conducted a survey on the feelings of current Reiwa-era high school girls and boys regarding their 'new life (new school term).'

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【More than half of high school girls 'feel anxious about new life (new school term)'】 First, a survey was conducted among current Reiwa-era high school girls asking, 'Which emotion do you feel about your new life (new school term)?' When asked to choose between 'excited' and 'anxious,' 48.4% of high school girls answered 'excited,' and 51.6% of high school girls answered 'anxious.'

Looking at the reasons given by students who answered 'excited,' responses such as: 'I'm happy to make new friends!' 'I'm looking forward to new encounters!!!!' 'I'm looking forward to class changes.' 'Because I can make new juniors and friends.' These accounted for the majority. It is a natural feeling to anticipate 'new encounters,' which can be called the true essence of a new life, and meeting others who share the same sense of tension in a new environment has the potential to greatly influence one's future life. This expectation for new encounters seems to be directly linked to feelings of excitement.

The next most common opinions included: 'My heart pounds with excitement for new things.' 'Because I can do new things in a new environment.' 'I'm looking forward to moving, living alone, and a new life.' 'Because I'm the type who looks forward to something new.' It seems many high school girls connect 'new environment = excitement.' Around this time, we increasingly see headlines like 'New Life Support Campaign.' The expectation of buying new things in a new town and a different life awaiting them also seems to be a driving force. Touching a world they didn't know might be the reason for their excitement.

Other impressive responses included unique voices from high school girls, such as: 'Because I can dye my hair when I become a university student.' 'Because I have things I want to do and goals as a third-year JK (high school girl) in my last year.' 'Because my friends are going to the same school.' It seems they perceive the relaxation of school rules and increased freedom of action as 'the joy of being able to choose for oneself.' In addition, there's the feeling unique to the 'JK last year' of wanting to fully enjoy the limited time, such as going out in uniform or taking photos, coupled with the sense of security from being able to spend time in the same environment as close friends, which seems to be one of the reasons for approaching new life positively.

On the other hand, looking at the responses of the 51.6% of high school girls who answered 'anxious,' many expressed concerns such as: 'Because I need to build new human relationships.' 'I'm anxious about making new friends after being separated from friends I've been close with for a year, and the pressure of self-introductions is huge.' 'Will I make friends? What kind of people will be in my class? I think about various things and get nervous.' Expectation and anxiety are two sides of the same coin; while some feel excited, it's also natural to perceive it as anxiety. Becoming the youngest after being the oldest, or having to introduce oneself in front of strangers, are points where one can easily feel pressure regarding first impressions and interactions.

The next most common opinions included: 'Because I'm worried if I can adapt to the new environment.' 'I really hate class changes.' 'Because at first, I worry about whether I can fit in with the class.' Many opinions expressed anxiety about environmental changes. Class changes involve the uncertainty of 'not knowing who you'll be in class with,' and it's a situation where anxieties about potentially being separated from close friends or whether one can adapt well to a new environment tend to overlap.

Other prominent opinions included many high school girls who felt anxious about preparing for entrance exams, such as: 'Because I have to realize that exams are approaching.' 'Because it's the year for exams.' 'Because exams are waiting.' It's understandable that young people who have to go through the title of 'exam student' as a period to win a fulfilling new life feel immense pressure. It's also understandable that comparisons with others and facing reality directly lead to anxiety.

【62.7% are excited about new life! High school boys are driven by a 'can-do' spirit】 Next, when the same survey was conducted among current high school boys, 62.7% of high school boys answered 'excited,' and 37.3% of high school boys answered 'anxious.' It was found that high school boys are more excited about new life (new school term) than high school girls.

Looking at their responses, many positive answers were given, such as: 'Because I can meet new friends.' 'Because new encounters await.' 'Because I think I can get along with most people.' 'Because I'm looking forward to what kind of encounters there will be. I'm eager to get good grades this semester.' Similar to high school girls, there was a tendency for new encounters to lead to excitement. Especially among high school boys, there were voices that viewed new environments positively, and an attitude of trying to enjoy change itself, thinking 'it'll work out somehow.' It can be said that the positive attitude characteristic of high school boys is evident in how 'fun' comes before 'anxiety.'

Looking at other opinions, responses such as: 'Because it's the beginning of new things.' 'Because the environment changes significantly.' 'Because I feel joy in being able to place myself in a new class, a new environment.' 'Because I get excited thinking that a year is ending and new fun awaits.' These responses were gathered, and the positive attitude towards new life without fearing environmental changes also reflects the characteristics of high school boys. Their proactiveness and drive seem to be the driving force behind their excitement.

Furthermore, opinions that conveyed a sense of positivity included impressive voices such as: 'Because many unknown things will happen.' 'Because I value approaching everything positively.' 'Because I can challenge new things.' Taking what might happen as fun, this 'challenging spirit' might be an adventurous spirit peculiar to boys.

On the other hand, looking at the reasons of the 37.3% of high school boys who answered 'anxious,' opinions showing a cautious attitude towards change were prominent, such as: 'Oh, the environment is changing again.' 'Because I don't want to leave a stable environment.' 'The anxiety of not knowing what will happen.' In contrast to the excitement for a new environment, it's natural to feel anxiety and confusion about letting go of the comfortable environment one has built so far.

Looking at other responses, voices such as: 'Because I don't know if human relationships will go well.' 'Because I might have fewer acquaintances.' 'Because if I lose my friends in a class change, I might be all alone.' These were also raised. The unfamiliar atmosphere and reserved distance unique to a new school term or new life, and the unique tension of searching for the first words, also seem to be major factors of anxiety. Often, these initial awkward moments become funny stories later, and such initial awkwardness might become one of the memories unique to a new life.

Furthermore, looking deeper, responses such as: 'I'm anxious about whether I can manage alone.' 'I don't know if I can live by myself.' 'Because it's tiring.' These were also seen. Many young people start living alone with the start of a new life. It's understandable to feel stress and anxiety about a situation where one has to manage everything oneself, such as housework, money management, and daily routines, after leaving their previous environment.

【Details of this survey result here】 Including the details and full scope of the survey results introduced this time, you can view them on 'Wakamono Research.' https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/new-life-students-emotions/

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Survey period: February 13, 2026 - February 27, 2026 Survey organization: Wakamono Research Co., Ltd. Target audience: Current high school students (male and female) nationwide Valid responses: 312 people Survey method: Internet research

【Regarding the citation and reproduction of these survey results (images)】 When citing or reproducing a part of this survey, please include 'Wakamono Research' as the source and the URL (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/).

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