Conversations about college dominate U-High’s hallways. SAT prep, advanced classes, grade point average and various ways students plan to “buff” up their résumés always seem to wiggle their way into discussions among students.
Yet these conversations bring stories of burnout: crying in the bathroom between periods after bombing a quiz, or nights that turn into days with mountains of homework to complete because you stacked your schedule full with classes. I have repeatedly been guilty of this because I think it’s what colleges would like to see.
The emphasis students place on college selection and enrollment shouldn’t overshadow students’ ability to enjoy the high school experience.
It is daunting to be a student at a high school where it seems that admission to top-tier universities is not just the expectation but the norm. With how selective the application process has become, students so easily fall into the classic mindset that high school is merely a race to the finish line of college acceptance. According to the Common Application, the total application volume rose 30% from 2019 to 2023.
Last year as a ninth grader, it seemed like I was never trying hard enough, and there was always something more I could do. It baffled my peers when I admitted that I allowed myself an extra free period during the week instead of stacking in another class. I felt unambitious if I did not attend a club during every lunch period and instead chose to enjoy my break period conversing with friends.
It can feel unnerving to listen to your peers list their accomplishments or detail their extracurriculars, whether the sports they play or the summer internship they did. But not every minute needs to be in pursuit of attaining the perfect résumé. Ambition is an asset that manifests in various ways among different people, and the “high school experience” is subjective. It carries different meanings and has different expectations among different students. Having a jam-packed schedule was unhealthy for me, but others may manage it better or even prefer it.
Criticizing peers for their different approaches to the college application process only adds more unnecessary pressure. Students should prioritize enjoying high school while it lasts rather than racing for acceptance into college.
