Summary: The Reality Of Burning Out Before College

A child's main focus in life has always been being successful in school in order to achieve many riches in adulthood. Many people have supported these children to reach this goal by preparing them for about two decades. In return, their family members expect them that these clueless kids return the favor by going to college. Some have put their immense effort beyond their reach, but unfortunately there is a vast majority of students that do not have what it takes both academically and emotionally to earn a college degree or to even meet their own personal standards. Although they received all the help they could get, their parents forget to even consider that what matters the most for these young adults to go to college is their own willingness

These expectations are set in hopes that they will help students get into prestigious colleges. An NPR report featured teenagers Tom Poulis and Chelsea Halprin, who shared their thoughts on stress related to high school schedules. Poulis says, “the stress level is very high” due to taking four AP classes, standardized tests, and participating in various after school activities to enhance his college applications. Halprin hoped to attend an Ivy League school. Her schedule included time for homework, class president duties, team sports, mentoring young students, and helping at her synagogue. Despite her impressive schedule, Halprin worried that it would not be enough to meet her goals. The idea that students must overwork themselves and excel in every area has become an emotional and mental burden on teenagers, rather than be a guide to a successful

Today many high school students are trying see if college education would good idea for future jobs or careers. Teachers and parents alike think about college being a good investments in for their children or students future. They believe that college is helping people to grow mentally and socially. Furthermore, they believe that getting a college degree is good for students that are trying to start higher paying careers, which will turn into a higher sum of money. On the other hand, there are many naysayers arguing that college is not the only option for education. But there are other options such as self-education, online schooling and vocational schooling. They consider college in being too expensive and requiring to take out loans making

College pressures dominate our lives. They begin to levitate around us and slowly derail our lives. William Zinsser elaborates about the college pressures that modern generations are facing. He reveals multiple commonalities that the typical college student encounters on a daily basis. Zinsser states, “They want a map-right now-that they can follow unswervingly to career security, financial security, social security, and presumably, a prepaid grave” (12). He is spot on, the pressures demand my attention and won’t take no for an answer. So far I’ve gone head to head with these pressures every day since I started my freshman year in college. For the time that I’ve been here, my mind is overwhelmed and distraught with the amount of stress that gets piled on top of me every single day. I drown in these unrealistic expectations written in those faulty suggestion bars about how to be successful in college and college 101 tips. College pressures surround me like a dull gray cloud. It showers me with expectations and unfinished checklists. College itself is similar to carpooling to hell and back, but with no actual guarantee with a ride back.

As adolescents begin their senior year, the topic of college often runs without hindrance, often causing extreme stress. As the monetary value, as well as the time spent, begins to accumulate in their minds, students often find themselves bound at the wrists figuring out a way to balance as well as afford college living. In many cases, the upcoming graduates are unsure about their career path, almost enhancing their stress in choosing a school that would cater to their needs. It is almost then they begin to ponder whether or not University/college life is for them, which is could be an extremely advantageous shot in a, for example, high achieving family. Whilst college does allow for a plethora of doors to be opened, the lack of time, effort, and money can hinder one 's ability to properly choose a university. Though school can help with the stepping stones of life, they do not entirely ensure a proper future, therefore many may opt out of school; however, with the correct actions, they may turn out extremely successful, which may not have even happened without the release of the burden of school.

With the increasing trend of students attending college after high school, the number of college students are increasing rapidly as well as expectations to do well in every aspect of it. In the article by Amy Yao “Never Let Them See You Sweat: The Myth of Effortless Perfection”, she describes how students are being put more and more pressure to be “perfect” in all aspects that are important in college, especially females. Her claims and use of quotes bring about a perspective of how students may be overworked by the many complicated aspects that go into being a successful student, but it can be looked at with a new perspective of stress builds character.

High School Struggles High school can be very stressful, especially junior year. It is very evident that in the book “Overachievers: the Secret Lives of Driven Kids” by Alexandra Robbins, the students are very driven to be successful and often find themselves stressing out. Junior year is often known as the most important year of high school because students start worrying about ACT/SAT scores and they finally start looking at colleges. “But he had been told that junior year was the most stressful in high school. This was the year he had to start thinking about colleges.”

It is a well known fact but there are many people including counselors, parents, teachers, and friends who resist saying it out loud for fear it will sound like discouragement and negativity: college is definitely not for everyone. The pressure on high schools students, especially those that excel, to attend a college or university is enormous. And in the case of a bright, industrious and motivated high school student, attending a college or university is an obvious career choice. For those students, it's only a matter of what university to attend, whether one's SAT score is high enough, and the availability of the money. Then there are the millions of high school students who are not really personally motivated but are being pressured by their counselors, teachers and parents should they attend college if they really don't care? This paper examines those issues.

Everyday American teenagers are being pressured on graduating high school and going directly to college. Parents and counselors have such high expectations for teens that the students are unable to focus on going to college. Teenagers face many factors that cause pressure to go to college: worries about keeping up, fear of failure, feeling of stress and anxiety, social pressures academic pressure, human influences, the economy, and college itself . Pressure to succeed has gotten to high levels and is only becoming more difficult to comprehend and accomplish. Teens are expected to have a balanced life with time to be sociable and have free time, but with all of the pressure

Every year, thousands of high school students stress about the dreaded test that determines their college placement: the ACT. Some students prepare for weeks or months before taking the stressful test. Colleges look for high ACT scores and a laundry list of extracurriculars when they consider applications. Although in some cases high test scores and activities are a good thing but in reality they are putting too much stress on teenagers. “I do believe that most students stress out over their SAT scores much more than they need to,” (Strump). More and more college professors are coming to the realization that ACT and SAT scores are not what make up a person’s character; it's what that person goes through in life’s journey. I agree with these

With an increased demand for skilled labors, many students nowadays find themselves needing to complete some form of higher education at college to ensure their success in the workplace and their future career goals. Although freshmen students often enter college with high expectations and ambitions, many eventually drop out of college. Why does that happen? In an ever-changing and more competitive environment, the demanding expectations on college students now soar at unprecedented heights, creating stressful and unpleasant experiences for many of them as they try to keep up with all the burdens inflicted upon them. In their writings, Dr. Christine B. Whelan, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alan Schwartz, and Nisha Ramachandran explore and illustrate some of the stress-creating challenges that freshmen struggle with today. Even though many factors contribute to the huge list of problems for first-year students, many of the problems that create stress for college freshmen fall under the categories of academic factors, (what adverb to add) teachers, and personal-life conflicts.

The big question we ask ourselves in high school is “what do I do next?”. Some students choose to go onto higher education, such as college or university. Meanwhile, others choose to go straight to work or join the armed forces. In high school, we are coddled; but when we take our first steps after graduation, we are expected to be independent. Although it is known that attending a higher education facility is difficult, the purpose of higher education is to create a prepared mind.

For teenagers throughout high school are pressured entirely too much to attend college. The stress only leaves to one option, rebellion. By pressuring teenagers, one may lead them to wrong path as the stress constantly being watched can cause such a young mind to explode like a bubble on a hot summer day. The School faculty and parents need to ease up on teenager’s goals in life. Although proper guidance is necessary, too much pressure to fit the adult’s vision to go to college can be too much for a teenager.

Over the years, research has found inequalities in student achievement based on numerous factors related to social and economic disparities. In order to close the achievement gap and reduce student dropout rates, school counselors must develop strategies that aim at increasing student academic success while also focusing on student’s well-being. “Specifically, they must demonstrate a variety of skills and knowledge, including how to analyze and disaggregate local achievement data, where to find information about effective academic interventions, and how to determine the effectiveness of interventions applied in their schools to enhance academic success for all students and to narrow the achievement gap.” (Ware, 2006) School counselors must have a plan for increasing graduation rates and should be capable of demonstrating the needs of students based on data driven research. Consider, students living in low-income communities where State achievement test scores reveal that the majority of the students scored below national standards. School counselors must identify barriers that prevent students from graduating and becoming productive members of society.

Teens’ desire of freedom in life is causing them to take risky decisions when they get to make a decision of their own. For example, going to an Ivy League or a great academic rated college instead of a normal state college is a tough decision. However, teens don’t look at the consequences of Ivy league colleges. Ivy league colleges are a separate league for a reason and not everyone is meant to go there. Teens don’t take any guidance or pressured advice from their parents