Is it all too much? A GAME I tell you!

[Teen Vinny]

I am a 16 year old boy living in America right now. I am one of the students who do anything they can to have the best grades. I hold a 4.4 GPA... but am I happy?

I WORK MY ASS OFF. No joke. It is impossible. I hardly get any sleep and most of my time is spent on schoolwork. For me, the problem with America's education system is the unnecessary pressure they put us through. It is just one large game to see who can tally up the most amount of achievements to get into collage.

Perfect GPA
Challenging courses (# of honors/ AP classes)
SAT/ ACT
Community Service
Class Ranking
Prom court
Student Government
ASB
The arts
Sports
College application essays
recommendation letters
ROP classes
Extra courses like MUN (Model United Nations)

And then to top it all off, we need to get two jobs and take out immense student loans just to pay our way through a college education. All for what? The Diploma. Because without one, what can you be? Nothing (unless you are lucky).

I just wish the education system was less of a game and more of a program to help us pursue our dreams. Something to help us really focus on what we want to do/ be as adults.

[AutumnDae]

Lol, I hear you.

I'm currently cramming for my AP exams, while trying to study for the SAT and ACT. It's really great. Some nights I don't even bother going to bed, because I know if I try to sleep, I'll just get even more stressed out.

Coffee has become my best friend in the world.

[Dimitri]

I know exactly what you're talkign about. I have a 4.09GPA and I am about to graduate next month, I have been working my butt off for years. I will be leaving High School with a Associate's in Applied Sciences and I have a few other medical certifications. As for jobs I hold a few, EMT, Phlebotomist, Nurses Assistant and sub. music teacher at some studios around here. It will be worth it in the end so keep the heard work up. If you ever just wanna talk to someone about it drop me a line and I will get back asap.

[tyler007]

Yes there is alot of pressure to be number 1 in your school, or a top athlete in your sport, get into the best college, and the pressure does not stop there: but you know what they call the guy who graduates at the top of his medical class, valedictorian and <graduated summa cum laude or cum laude, magna cum laude. ANd the guy who graduats last "Doctor"..

Alot of this pressure is un-necessary but yet some much a part of out system

[Saosin]

Sorry to be a grammar Nazi, but you were talking about being having a 4.4 GPA, yet you misspelled college. C'mon now...

As for your classes, are you taking courses in the field of interest that you want?
If you are taking rigorous courses in a specific field, but still enjoy the subject it will make the work that much easier and more enjoyable. Also keep up with your class scheduling because even if high school is a pain for you, you will minimize the amount of time you spend in college, this way you can get out of the poor education system of America and start on a career that you truly enjoy. Best of luck!

[Andymoto377]

Yeah Trying to figure stuff out myself I don't like school but I do ok 3.8 gpa and a 1900 on my sat and I play baseball so I have a few partial scholarships to good schools and a full one for a few div 2 schools but idk If i even want to go to school. I kinda want to be a fire fighter or a mechanic maybe. Good luck with all your endeavors hope you get into the school u want.

[Marky]

i sorta know what u mean. in my school we take college and highschool classes and are pushed to pass college material entry exams inorder too take the classes. im a freshman and i got to start to study my butt of, i got a 3.95 G.P.A without even trying but in only 13th in my class. hell im still smarter then mores juniors but i got to study. ans what sucks more is there pushing the idea of college courses over the summer on us alot but i got to worry about alot of volunteer hours i got to rack up just to be able too graduate. so i got to get on the ball

[Reverie]

The education system is modeled off the real world. Once you're out of the system, you'll find that the outside has the same relentless pressure, if not worse.