Are Teens overstressed?

A few weeks ago, as I sat with some teens to prepare craft kits for an upcoming event, I could not help but raise my eyebrows as the teens discussed long-term plans: about graduate and law school programs. Here I am, preparing to take the GRE and apply to graduate school myself, and here are high school sophomores concerned about law school. They haven’t even formally taken their SATS yet alone started college. They rattled off their schedules of AP classes, preparing for the SAT’s in junior high and long lists of other activities. I believe we have a problem with teens stressing over college entrances. (Granted this does not apply to all high school students)

 I don’t doubt that applying for college is stressful and competitive- it was when I applied almost 5 years ago. I remember being concerned about the university I would attend, what I would study as an undergraduate and a professional path. I also remember stressing about the classes I chose, my grades, how each test will impact my grade. I still remember getting a C on my Spanish test. I would like to tell teens it is still possible to get into a good school with a C. It is not the end of your dreams for college. But as I pause to think about this, I realize that it is society that is telling young people that a poor grade is the end of the world.

What I wish society did better as a whole, is to slow down and remember that teens do not have to have a life plan as a college freshman let alone a high school freshman. I didn’t settle on my chosen major until I was a junior, though I did have the life plan chosen as a college freshman- it just changed five times. The pressure to “know” what you are going to do in life is enormous. I think society as a whole is raising expectations of teens preparing for college to an unhealthy level. Why should a 14 year-old have to decide if they want to attend law school versus getting an MBA as the 14 and 15 year olds discussed at the table? What happened to exploring different majors as a college freshman?

The conversation I had at the craft table really made me think about what our society valued, and how those values are being passed on to youth- money, career ambition, and image are more important than happiness and choosing a meaningful career. We also expect them to be involved in everything imaginable (ASB president, an athlete, a performer, a scholar, and a community member) instead of taking the time to pursue a few interests.  

Though we can’t change society and institutions overnight, I hope we can all challenge the youth we work with to think about creating meaning in their life and pursuing interests over money and image. Or at the very least, try to help teens process concerns and anxieties as they transition out of high school and into the real world. To find out more information about the topic, see the NPR link for an article/podcast.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6221872&sc=emaf

Here is a link that teens can use to learn to manage their stress (it’s an American Association of Pediatrics Website)

http://www.aap.org/stress/