At Clark, being busy almost feels like a part of the culture. It seems as though students are always balancing their AP or honors classes, clubs, volunteer hours, jobs, family responsibilities, and, for seniors, college pressure and senior projects. With all that happening, they’re trying to maintain a social life. Since many of the students here are hardworking and motivated, it can be easy to believe that being stressed means they are doing high school “right.” However, burnout shouldn’t be treated as normal.
At Clark, students care about their futures, which is one of the best parts of this campus. People think creatively and are willing to push themselves in a focused manner. Whether it is publications, robotics, film, computer science, or other programs, students are working on projects that take real effort and time. The problem is that sometimes they feel the need to do everything at once to prove they are successful.
Many students feel this pressure personally. “When it comes to academics, I always try my hardest and give it my all, although at times I feel stressed and pressured. I find it most important to value mental health first,” senior Liliana Zaroukian said. This type of pressure isn’t rare; it shows how easily students can connect achievement with exhaustion.
(Creative Commons)
There is a difference between working hard and overworking oneself. Working hard means putting effort into your classes, showing up for responsibilities, and caring about goals. With that being said, overworking means staying up late every night, skipping meals, feeling guilty for taking breaks, and thinking that a bad grade will make or break the future. Too many students are now acting as if exhaustion is something to brag about. In reality, this is a warning sign.
The major reason exhaustion caused by overwork happens is tied directly to students comparing themselves with each other. At Clark, it feels like everyone else in our surroundings is taking harder classes, joining more clubs, or already has their future planned out. Even though no one directly says it, students can feel pressure to keep up. Another student’s schedule can make one’s personal efforts feel smaller than they actually are. But this doesn’t mean students should stop challenging themselves. The strong academics and opportunities at Clark make the school stand out, so students should find balance, instead of considering it laziness. Taking a break doesn’t mean one is falling behind, while saying no to more responsibilities doesn’t mean one isn’t ambitious. This is a way to understand personal limits.
It’s important for the Clark community to speak about success in a healthier way, instead of only praising perfect grades and impressive schedules. Students who manage their time, ask for help, and value their well-being should also be recognized. Clark is known for achievement, but it should also be a place that supports students as people. Being a successful school isn’t just a place where students complete impressive tasks or earn awards. It is one where students are able to learn how to work hard without losing themselves in the process.
