Under Pressure

I have been thinking about my past a lot. Specifically my transition from high school student to 4 year university student.

There is a very good reason for this. Robbie is finishing his 11th grade year of high school and is in fast forward mode for college admissions.

I don't know if the game has changed as significantly as it appears to have, but I am amazed (and saddened) by the massive pressure applied to the top percent of students. The below is Robbie's actual schedule for his 11th grade year and Robbie was actually 'light' compared to some of his peers in extracurriculars:

First Semester:

Robbie's coursework included: AP Art History (Advanced Placement courses are college level courses that have a test at the end of the year that, if passed, give him credit for college courses)., AP Composition, AP Calculus, AP US History, AP/IB Chemistry (IB stands for International Baccalaureate and allows Robbie a separate diploma at Graduation if he passes all tests and other requirements), and French 3. Robbie also participated in Academic Decathlon (Junior class president), had two speaking roles in the fall play and took the SAT's and PSAT's as well.

Second Semester: Robbie continued in his course work from first semester, completed Academic Decathlon and re-took the SAT's. He is also taking AP exams for all 5 classes, SAT II Subject tests for Calculus, Chemistry and History and he is taking an IB Chem exam as well. He will be completing his testing with the ACT at the end of the school year.

All of this is occurring while he is working to keep grades up, researching colleges, trying to do community service and applying for summer jobs.

When, in the real world are we subjected to this kind of pressure? When, even in college are we subjected to this kind of pressure?

A 4 year degree represents a lot of things...education and training for a particular vocation, broad skills and knowledge imparted from people who have been formally trained and most important, as far as I am concerned, the bridge between young adulthood and full adulthood (and with it the responsibilities of life).

My only hope is that once Robbie finds his way through the stress and pressure of too many tests and too many hoops to jump through that he will embrace the important portion of the experience and adventure he is about to embark on, which is the sheltered freedom of a campus environment, the forced camaraderie of a dorm and the semi hand held transition to full fledged adult, along with the fun and excitement of university living and life.

After all, these should be the best years of his life.