By KAITLYN SEBASTIAN
Sheridan High School Student
Editor’s Note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abby Williams.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Why do your grades look like that?” “I was expecting better.”
When you look at kids today, and all the expectations we’re put under, you might never imagine the person behind it all. At such a young age we’re always asked what we want to be when we grow up. It was always such a fragile topic, from a ballerina to a doctor, or even an astronaut. All I knew growing up is I wanted people to be proud of me, and not look at me as a stereotypical woman. I wanted to be successful so no one could comment on who I was, or who I was to become.
At earlier stages in life, I was so excited, I was optimistic even. Now all I can think about is when do I have to turn this paper in, and if I’m not using a class for a prerequisite for my career, then why should it matter? I think to myself: This essay is due next week, but these pages of math and chemistry are due tomorrow, and I still don’t understand it. What happened to “high school is supposed to be fun”?
As a student, I have put school first my whole life. I have worried about school and my future my whole student career. I have never put my sports, interests, or social life first because school has always taught me that these things don’t matter compared to what happens in the classroom. I have always kept myself so busy trying to balance school with the things I love most, to the point where I don’t enjoy what I used to, and I don’t want to do it anymore.
School has not taught me how to be a happy successful person, but rather be a procrastinator or someone who rushes their work just for a slight break. My whole life growing up I have heard, “You’re so smart,” and “I am so proud of you.” Frankly, that has always been a motivator to me. Not anymore. I am trying my best to pull myself out of this dark hole. I am trying my best, but is it even good enough?
I know of other students who feel this way. I am not alone. When receiving an education, you should never feel ignorant or disrespected, but instead you should look forward to going to school and learning about what you are passionate about. I have always worked so hard for my goals. I have always strived for amazing grades, sports, theatre, choir, and even a job so I can get ready to pay for college and a car when I can. I have always loved being independent and being someone that I could be proud of.
School is not the only problem for kids today. Some students don’t have a great support system at home and don’t feel comfortable or have supportive relationships at school. Some students have mental illnesses that hold them back and fight them each and every day.
This is not meant to disregard all that our school systems do for us or to disrespect our teachers. Their jobs aren’t easy because some students don’t put in the effort or give a minute of their day to the adults who do try to help us. This is not meant to say school isn’t needed or it is pointless.
But, I am here to say: Be patient with us kids. Try and understand our point of view, and everything we have to do to become happy with ourselves and have the people around us happy. I am aiming to say that students are fighting for a break because sometimes we simply cannot keep up with the busy lives we live.
Teenage years are confusing and stressful, but from one student voice to a majority of people reading this, we really are trying.