As the senior class enters their final year, some students are feeling high pressure to perform well academically. Some of it comes from their parents, some from themselves. Here’s the story of four scholars.
While in school, she focuses on being the best. Senior Lauren Davis holds a 4.144 cumulative GPA and is ranked number 8 out of 252 students.
Outside of school Davis struggles with anxiety. Not only from school work but also the pressure of being a failure to herself.
“I try and balance work, school, and family life while trying to maintain a perfect GPA,” Davis said.
Davis describes putting all of the pressure on herself, even as an elementary student she’s tried to keep up with her friends in class. If one of her friends got a good grade, then she attempted to top it.
“Throughout my life all of my friends have been high academic achievers. So I want to be on the same level as them,” Davis said.
She struggles with trying to fulfill this perfect image day to day. When she took an A.P. Calculus test she describes her grade as a disappointment.
“I got an A- on the test and was very shocked because I felt it was an easy test,” Davis said.
Although Davis has had many struggles throughout her high school career, she has a very bright future ahead of her.
“I’m going to attend Alabama University and study hospitality management,” Davis said.
Senior Jacob Stegman’s story is the complete opposite. Stegman takes five A.P. classes and holds a 4.16 GPA.
“I set a baseline for certain classes and I also have a schedule so it helps me keep up with everything,” Stegman said.
Rather than being stressed, Stegman is excited for his future. He’s been playing tennis since freshman year and intends to continue throughout college.
“I definitely want to go to Cornerstone University to play tennis and study mathematics,” Stegman said.
Stegman uses time management to the keep the stress at bay.
Senior Isabella Payne is finding herself in high stress with high school coming to an end.
“I take three A.P. classes, and I do competitive dance five days a week,” Payne said.
Payne describes the workload of the classes being toughest part.
“Just managing my time is very tough. I find myself trying to prioritize to the best of my ability,” Payne said.
The biggest stress load comes from hoping to attend her dream university.
“I want to go to U of M. My family has a long tradition within the university. I would like to continue that,” Payne said.
When it comes to the anxiety of school and simply life, Payne has identified that at this time it’s just life. She’s extremely excited for her future although at times it seems to be dark.
Senior Haley Denton finds that by budgeting time she has a low stress level for her senior year.
“Having an independent study has helped me manage my school work and sports,” Denton said.
Denton plans on going to Michigan State University to study mechanical engineering. While there she intends to apply for ROTC program with The Air Force.
“I love this field choice for myself because the job is constantly changing,” Denton said.
Although these four students all have different futures and different stress levels there’s one message to be spread: as high school is coming to an end it seems to be the hardest time of our lives thus far, always remember that there’s a light at the end of tunnel. Just go into each week, and make that day your best.
