Young students today are often pressured to “build their resumes” before they even step into the classroom for their final level of public education. Parents invest significant effort and planning into helping their children achieve more than just good grades, all in an attempt to secure a spot at an “upstanding” college. The SATs, once the barometer of college acceptance, are now being offered to 8th graders as the PSAT, with the hope that it will better prepare them for fitting into the college of their dreams. On top of the usual teen struggles—hormones and academic performance—there are the added pressures of extracurricular activities, each of which can be included on a college application in hopes of making the student a top choice for their preferred college.
Through the lens of experience, one must wonder: Is the pressure to achieve good grades in high school really worth the stress it places on students?
The Impact of Excessive Pressure on High School Students
An excerpt from The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal suggests that the pressure on high school students today is indeed too high. The journal states: “My personal opinion is that we often put too much pressure on high school students to know more and do more. It’s okay to be a high school student when one is in high school and focus on the academic and social aspects of high school life. High school students don’t need to know all the details about college beyond the admission requirements for the colleges to which they will apply.”
Perhaps one of the most important points made in the preparatory book is that “Life is (all about) developmental stages—people learn what they need to know when the time is right for them.”
In other words, high school students are at a developmental stage where they should focus on being high school students—learning the lessons of adolescence, making mistakes, and figuring out the differences between various behavior styles. If they are pushed to grow up too fast, they may miss the chance to make these mistakes in a safer environment. By the time they get to college, the consequences of misbehaving are no longer just social—they can also be financial. Furthermore, the excessive pressure to “get into college” can burn students out quickly, leading them to reconsider their desire to pursue higher education at all.
In 2011, approximately 19.7 million students were expected to start or continue their college education. The number of students seeking post-high school education in the United States has been steadily rising. In 2000, only 4.4 million students were enrolled in college. While these numbers seem high, the reality is that only about 57% of all graduating seniors attend college. Two years after graduation, only about half of them will still be enrolled. Today’s typical college student is often an adult between the ages of 24 and 38, with life and career experience that brings them back to education. For these older, more mature students, good grades are the norm. As for younger students, most maintain a B average, and 34% have a C average academically.
A poll of U.S. high school students conducted by USA Today found that around 88% of students want to attend college but feel an “extreme” amount of pressure to get good grades. This pressure has been linked to an increase in depression, suicide, and other emotional problems among teens.
When we look at countries like China and Japan—home to highly competitive educational systems that produce top talent across many fields—it’s interesting to note that only 50% of students there actually attend college. What’s even more telling is that students are developed early based on their individual talents. Much of their schooling focuses on helping students perfect their natural abilities, many of which don’t require university-level education. For instance, a student with a talent for art would receive specialized instruction and career opportunities in that field. Even though 50% of Asian students attend college, many of those institutions would be considered vocational schools in the United States.
It’s natural for parents to want their children to succeed. However, in today’s challenging economy, even those with college degrees often struggle to find suitable work, and a college education doesn’t necessarily guarantee future success. Furthermore, the pressure to get good grades simply for the sake of college is counterproductive. By placing too much focus on academic performance and college admissions, students may miss the opportunity to explore areas where they are both passionate and capable of excelling. This intense pressure can set young adults up for failure and disappointment.
Parents should aim to guide and support their children, helping them navigate the various life stages without overwhelming them. It’s important to recognize that most teens don’t yet know what they want to do with their lives after high school. While they may struggle to understand what they “need” for their futures, parents can use their children’s talents, passions, and drive as indicators for making informed decisions. College can be valuable, but it shouldn’t be the sole focus during high school. If the pressure to achieve and “do more” at a young age becomes too great, young adults may simply crack under the pressure.
It’s also important to consider that students can take time off before attending college, enroll a year later, or even change their course of study midway through a degree program. Allowing your teen to experience life stages at their own pace will help them become more successful, self-confident, and prepared for the future.
