Parental Pressure

It’s 8 a.m. and her heart is racing. It’s that terrible full-body sort of beat that makes your whole body shake and occasionally flutter from time to time from over-stimulation.

Stress. It’s a complex yet instant reaction that all of us encounter and try to manage daily. It’s something everyone has struggled with for years and now, teenagers are the one taking the heaviest loads – and it’s taking a serious toll. It’s healthy to want to bring the best out of the students. But sometimes, parents put too much pressure to perform well, and it is their children who suffer the consequences.

“They tend to be overwhelmed with a low A,” dual-credit instructor, Elizabeth Lawton said.

Mrs. Lawton also said that each year, she has three or four students who are severely stressed out.

“I want her to always do her best and know she can be successful in anything she sets her mind to,” junior, Julianna Sewell’s mom, Anna Sewell said.

Julianna’s typical day at school involves band, majorettes, DECA, golf, student council, and three dual-credit courses.

“I feel like they push me to always execute everything to the highest standard of excellence,” Julianna said.

Marandy Burrow’s parents stay involved in her academic progress.

“They are very involved,” she said. “They pay for my dual-credit classes and check my grades often.”

Even though her parents are so invested, Marandy doesn’t think that their expectations for her are too high.

“My expectations for myself are higher than theirs,” Marandy said.

Marandy works really hard to keep her grades up, like junior, Justin Doorman who is working to graduate early. “I feel like I always have to be perfect to make my parents proud,” Justice said. She constantly worries about failing and the consequences that come with it. “Anything below an ‘A’ is a bad grade and anything below a 95 is slacking,” Justice said.

She said she feels she has always been held to a higher standard than her younger sibling.

“Having an Asian parent means having a strict parent. All of my relatives are the same way but I definitely feel as though they are the hardest on me,” Justice said.

Freshman and Junior counselor, Mrs. Kera Stewart said that every student is different.

“Their strengths are not in every class,” Mrs. Stewart said.

She advised instead of worrying too much, use all time in class wisely, study, and don’t procrastinate.

“The real world is not all about grades. The important thing is ‘did you do your best.”