In high school and college, they teach you a lot of things. Things that are probably going to help you get a job and be successful, and that's wonderful! Education is important, that's no lie. Going to a good school, and studying something you love is a beautiful thing. I think it's amazing that so many people are investing in themselves and furthering their education, but here's what I don't think is wonderful: for some reason, we've gotten to a point were we value education more than our own well being. I noticed this first in high school. My senior year, I was in five AP classes, working 30 hours a week, and in a lot of clubs. I was constantly making decisions based on what would look best on my resume and early decision applications- I wasn't making decisions based on what would make me happy. If I could offer any advice to someone in the same boat, it would be this: your education is important but so are you.
Throughout school teachers were always telling they were preparing us for what was next. In elementary school they told us they were getting us ready for middle school. In middle school they told us they were getting us ready for high school, and in high school they told us they were getting us ready for college. We spent so much time focusing on the next thing, and being prepared for it, that we forgot to enjoy the moments that were passing by.
I realized I didn't like our education system when I was a senior. I was sitting in the drama room and I over heard a teacher saying that another student wasn't going to make it in the real world if they were actually "that stupid". I didn't like our education system because it felt like all anyone- students and educators- cared about was results, not actual learning. Hearing a teacher say that about a student broke my heart. It was when I realized that kids are being taught that they're bad at learning when they do poorly on an assignment or test. I want to say this and I hope you listen- no one is bad at learning. No one is bad at learning. Your grades are important, and doing well in school will help your future, but doing bad in a class does not make you stupid. It doesn't make you bad at learning. No teacher should ever call one of their students stupid.
The other part of this statement that bothered me was that this teacher used the phrase "In the real world". I don't know where this phrase came from, but I've heard it my whole life. "In the real world." Guess what? If you're alive right now, you're in the real world. In high school, I knew students going through things a lot of adults will never have to face, I'm sure we all did. I'm sure some of you faced it yourself. I know it's hard for adults to remember what is like to be a teenager, but when you're worried about something bigger than a chemistry test, its hard to study for one. Another thing I want to say to any one entering senior year/college is that you are in the real world. No one gets to decide when you're suddenly apart of this world. You're in it, and it's real.
In the beginning of this article I mentioned there are a lot of things we never learn in high school, one of the biggest being self care. Now I'm not saying you need to go buy a ridiculously priced coffee, or spend half a paycheck on a couple of bath bombs, but I am saying that every once in a while, you need to take a step back from the craziness and stress of everything, and take care of yourself. What do you need? Maybe its a good night of sleep, or a few hours spent on a really good book that wasn't assigned to you. Maybe you should eat your favorite food with your favorite music up really loud. Maybe you need to turn your phone off for a few hours and just enjoy being by yourself. Maybe you need to scream or run or spend a few hours petting some cute dogs. Do what you need to do. Taking care of yourself is so important, and it is so easy to ignore when you've made your education your god. You will not make it far in high school or college if you're not taking good care of yourself!
Teachers and professors are going to push and challenge you, and that's needed. That's how you grow as a student. Please don't take not being able to handle it right away as a sign of failure. Don't give up on yourself after one bad exam. Don't stay up all night studying for a test when you're so tired you can't even stand up. Put yourself first. It's okay. Treat you self- because lets be real, you deserve it.
To sum it all up, here's what you should know: your education is important! It is so important- but you're important too. Your health, both mental and physical, should be a priority on par with your education. So create good habits. Compliment yourself. Take care of yourself. Don't let negative people hang around. Above all, know that there is a difference between failing and being a failure.
Treat yo self my friends. Treat you self to a healthy lifestyle and good days.
