November begins the official college application season. But for students, this race started long ago.
Many of today’s kids have lived their entire lives, from sunup until midnight, in a fierce tournament with their peers. (I was one of them. A decade after graduation, I still can’t think of a period when I’ve worked harder than in high school.) From kindergarten to 12th grade, schools brag about how “competitive” they are. That means it’s not enough for students to do their best. Whether in the classroom, on the athletic field or at home on the computer, they must always be better. Youth has become a debilitating endurance test.
This sounds terrible, but I honestly have no problem with the competition itself. It's how the world works- it makes sense to train children from an early age.
This sounds terrible, but I honestly have no problem with the competition itself. It's how the world works- it makes sense to train children from an early age.
I agree. I think that the Gifted and talented program implemented in most elementary schools is problematic because it establishes the idea of a social hierarchy based on students' grades, making some students feel superior while the rest are told that they're inferior. This prevents actual improvement in what the students are learning, and forces them to focus on what their numeric grades are.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. Having high school level classes during middle school is another example of this. Before high school even starts students believe that they aren't prepared or smart enough.
ReplyDeleteThey should start these programs later on when kids finally have a sense of themselves and don’t solely view it on a competition level.
ReplyDeleteI feel like everyone at our school experiences this, but on a more intense level, for we are in the arts. It sucks, but it makes us feel even better when we have successes.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Unfortunately, this has made school less about learning and more about making the best grade that you can. This really sucks, because this eliminates the true purpose of school!
ReplyDeletemargot tortolani
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I think a lot of times we can put too big of a load on ourselves. If we are constantly working and stressing ourselves out, we never get to be kids, and we won't be as equipped in the future because studies show our mental state is in a frenzy of anxiety. It's super important to push yourself, but it's also very important to have a break and enjoy the little things like being a kid. We can also get so caught up in the work and in the grades that we begin to feel inferior to others who handle things differently.
Hell yeah I feel besides myself after I saw the city results. I worked hard to be prepared for the city auditions and spent many hours at home and at school practicing those etudes.As musicians its a brutal world in the music industry. You have to always be better than your opponent. This is a rule even as a middle schooler stepping into those music doors and beginning their music career. You must always practice and be better than everybody you see as competition.
ReplyDeleteMaria gonzalez
ReplyDeletewe experience this every day at school and it saddens me because sometimes we confuse the purpose of why we do the things we love. Competition can also end friendships.
Selah Hunter
ReplyDeleteSo I think a competitive high school isn’t to bad. It gets you ready for college and life which is competitive. But besides that it is still just a high school and kids should be able to be a kid for as long as they can while continue learning how to grow up not to easily. It’s good for kids to go through some hard times. Ik I sound like a an old man.
I agree with the fact that growing up in a competition isn't necessary or healthy for kids and students, however, we can't ignore the fact that this society has very few people in power to disagree with the system. If kids want to "succeed" in today's world the only option is by being competitive.
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