A year ago, I navigated one of the most exasperating experiences of my life — the college application process for my oldest child. If you haven’t had the joy of completing countless forms, recommendation letters, scholarship applications, and the dreaded FAFSA, get ready.
And if you’ve got a teenager, you’ve likely been preparing for this whirlwind for quite some time. I’m not just referring to the typical teenage angst that we all weather; I’m talking about the extreme, cutthroat competition that has taken hold in American high schools. It’s so intense that after my next child graduates in a year, I’m seriously considering homeschooling my younger kids for high school.
Why? Well, let’s just say high school isn’t what it used to be, and I’m grateful I graduated in the late ’80s instead of today. If high schools don’t CTFD (calm the freak down) soon, we risk seeing our teenagers carry unhealthy levels of stress and anxiety into college, all while lacking the close family support they need.
Take, for instance, the concept of an 8.75 GPA. Yes, you read that right. High school grading is now inflated, and students must navigate an entire academic landscape that rewards them for overloading their schedules to maximize GPA points.
In the past, honors classes were reserved for the truly exceptional students. Now, they’re filled with “average achievers,” while those who are even remotely above average feel pressured to enroll in AP or dual-enrollment courses. A high school transcript missing six to eight AP classes simply won’t suffice in today’s competitive environment.
But inflated GPAs and crowded class schedules aren’t the only factors morphing our youth into resume-building machines. Many high school graduates leave with an impressive collection of college credits from AP and dual enrollment classes. While this may seem advantageous, it often leads to 18-year-olds stepping onto college campuses as juniors and being forced to declare a major right away. Making life-altering decisions at such a young age, especially before they’ve even set foot in college, rarely ends well.
Moreover, today’s high school athletics resemble collegiate programs. Schools often hire full-time trainers and coaches, and some even go as far as recruiting star athletes, with private institutions offering tuition incentives. Practices are held every day of the week, including weekends and mandatory summer sessions.
Extracurricular activities and student organizations have also adopted this rigorous mindset, emphasizing leadership, service, and fundraising, all with stringent commitments. This pressure is placed on 14–17-year-olds, and we wonder why our teenagers often feel so overwhelmed and burnt out.
Recently, a recent high school graduate asked me to write her a recommendation letter for a sorority. She sent me her resume, and as I read through it, I couldn’t help but remind myself that she was only 18 years old. Her four-page resume was filled with achievements, awards, and scholarships — it made me feel inadequate. My concern, however, is that she and thousands of others like her are heading to college completely drained.
I’ve seen it firsthand: overachieving students arriving on campus and taking a collective hiatus for four years as they try to unwind from the immense societal pressures to be “perfect.” Many struggle to maintain their previous schedules and end up battling anxiety and depression away from their families, an epidemic we are seeing across college campuses in our nation.
There’s a growing trend toward alternative high schools and homeschooling during these challenging years — years that many parents once hesitated to embrace due to concerns about rigorous curriculums. With the rise of state-funded online virtual school options and specialized magnet programs, we might see a much-needed positive shift in how we educate our teenagers, nurturing them rather than overwhelming them.
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In summary, the current high school experience is fraught with pressure and unrealistic expectations, leading to burnout among students. A shift toward more balanced educational approaches could help nurture healthier, more resilient teenagers.