What would you expect of a school going child?

A kid with a backpack, who goes to school, maybe hangs out with friends, does some homework, helps out around the house a little, eats, and then goes to bed.

*cue Myth Busters*

As the competition for colleges grows, the free time for an average high school child dwindles. It's one thing after another just work on top of work until it suffocates you mentally. It's not just the work, it's never just the work. We have volunteering, extracurricular, SAT, ACT, and being a functioning member of your family. Often in this process sleep and social lives are sacrificed. I don't consciously remember a day this school year when I had homework and was still able to sleep before midnight. I haven't even left my house this semester honestly. Right now, just to keep up with my graduating class, I am doing all AP/ IB courses.This of course not including my extracurriculars.

You know its really bad when even coffee can't keep you awake for more than an hour

.But this isn't just normal teenage ranting. This is about our generation as a whole. By the year college acceptance rates are dropping, and the pressure to not just get a college degree, but to get a Master's or even higher. I even see this in elementary school kids around me who not only started studying for their state standardized test months ahead, also have piano, chess, art, soccer, math practice, English practice, math competitions etc. All of these is at least three of my neighbors and my brother, no exaggeration. One hour of outdoor time. One hour.

It is great as a society to be involved in multiple things but when a person is considered behind for not wanting to or being able to keep up with these activities, it is just wrong. Its time to calm down and take the pressure off the younger children. Let them find the correct balance for them. Let them explore what they want. School, and any other activity really, should guide an individual to explore their interests. It should inspire and allow individuals to grow. it should not become the stones on their feet.