The End of the Beginning: The High School Experience

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High-school: some kids go to class, some kids go to parties, some kids go Harvard, and other kids drop out. No two kids are the same… that is what makes high school the unique and interesting place that it is. A high school caters to the wants and needs of a large variety of student types. Walking down the hall, you notice a pack of girls chomping on their gum and texting (not inconspicuously) with their football playing suitors dragging along behind – the preps; a group of boys with their glasses pushed well up the bridge of their noses, conspiring about the Big Bang or the derivative of the cubed root of the sine of two pi – the super nerds; and somewhere, running between the other clans, books piled high, scholarship applications flying off the top of their stack, are the stressed-out, college-bound overachievers. It is later that I am concerned about. The way that these college-bound overachievers interpret the expectations of college causes them to lead hectic, stressful lifestyles. It is commonly perceived that colleges are looking for well-rounded students; students with high GPA’s, high SAT or ACT scores, rigorous course schedules, and a demonstrated commitment to extracurricular activities and volunteerism. There is no doubt why students perceive expectations in this way; almost all colleges list these criterions in one way or another for prospective students to consider. According to Cornell University, “we require certain standardized test scores, [but] we also emphasize a number of other critical elements in [an] application.” They go on to list academic rigor and performance, written essays, letters of recommendations, and the prospective student’s out-of-school activities as important components of the application.... ... middle of paper ... ...rtainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News - Msnbc.com. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. Baoru, By. "Chinese Students: The Most Stressed In The World | CNReviews." CNReviews | The Interesting People, Business, and Life in China. Photograph. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. Carpenter, Siri. "Sleep Deprivation May Be Undermining Teen Health." Monitor Oct. 2001: 42. American Psychological Association (APA). Web. 11 Feb. 2011. Jenks, Pj, and Christopher Schorn. "Sleep Study Graph." Upland Country Day School - A Lifetime Of Learning Begins At Upland. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. "Helpful Hints/Suggestions." Cheltenham High School. SchoolWorld. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. "Stress." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Web. 11 Feb. 2011. "What We Are Looking For." Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences, Liberal Arts. Web. 05 Feb. 2011.

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