Many high school students often have a concern lingering at the back of their mind: “What am I supposed to do?” or “What is my purpose?” These questions are commonly thought about but rarely discussed. Students often feel pressured by many people, including family, teachers and society as a whole. This constant pressure can lead to stress and anxiety for teenagers who are still learning about themselves and their interests.
Do students really need to have concrete life goals while in high school? Psychologist Dr. Tamar Chansky says that while goals may motivate students, being able to work with change is also important. Typically goals change as teens grow older and learn more about themselves and experience new things. Teens and high school students should be encouraged to set wide ranging, flexible goals rather than strict, detailed plans. This would allow students more freedom to experiment and discover paths they might have never known to be accessible to them in the first place. While knowing what to do is important, high school should be a period of time where students have time to explore new hobbies and discover what truly interests them rather than following a straightforward plan.
Why do students stress out so much about their future at such a young age? Due to society pushing out unrealistic expectations, many compare themselves to others who seem to have their whole future planned out, making the stress worse and ruining their self confidence in the process.
Being able to accept the unknown can help decrease anxiety. Psychologist Carol Dweck suggests having an open mindset, which means seeing roadblocks and challenges as an opportunity to learn and become better rather than giving up at the first sign of uncertainty. Not having a detailed roadmap of your future doesn’t mean you are behind. In the end, you don’t need to have a clear plan for your future. Being optimistic and open minded to new experiences can make high school and college more enjoyable and meaningful. Remember, it’s completely normal to feel unsure or lost at times; this uncertainty helps you discover your true passions in life.
Also, not enough people talk about how tiring it is to constantly be thinking about your future when you’re barely done figuring out who you are at the moment. Teenagers are expected to make large life decisions that may shape their futures, while still being required to ask to use the bathroom during class.That amount of pressure makes it feel as if you don’t have everything figured out. Life shouldn’t be just a race to be successful or a checklist of your goals. It’s okay to slow down once in a while and try new things, make mistakes and change your opinions on various things.
Overall, high school shouldn’t just be considered a step into adulthood but rather a journey of life. Everyone is living life for the first time and we all move at different paces.
King Rivera is a senior at Washington High school. Originally from the Philippines, King moved to San Mateo at a young age, and has been living in Fremont CA since 2024. This is King’s first year on the paper. He’s interested in writing about sports and nature. His favorite ways to pass the time are reading, playing games, hanging out with friends and exploring nature. In the future he plans on joining the Air Force with the goal of flying fighter jets.