Stop Chasing Pavements

ELTON HO
Staff Writer

On one particularly exhausting night, a high school student pauses working to contemplate: why am I losing sleep over studying? When in my life will I need to know what I’m learning? What makes me obligated to strive for academic excellence, rather than be content with an easier life?

These questions are not always easy to answer. However, being able to say in the future that your career is meaningful, whether it is through helping others or exploring a talent that you love, is a source of pride which cannot be understated.

For teenagers already struggling with maintaining friendships, overbearing parents and crippling insecurity, school can be nothing short of an enormous pain. Yet, the oft-repeated saying really is true: education is important. Students often want to see a direct link between education and success, or else school seems like a waste of time. For now, learning can be its own reward. Students have opportunities now to enlighten themselves. They could find out what makes antibiotics work, how airplanes stay up or how to write a great novel. Later on in their life, they might not have the chance.

“But I’m hopeless as a student. I can’t become anything special,” some might say. A person does not need to be extraordinary in order to have a rewarding life. One does not have to become an astronaut, a brain surgeon or the next Steve Jobs to be considered successful. Someone is incredible as long as they strive to be the best person they can be, whether that person is a guidance counselor setting students on the right path or a t-shirt designer pleasing shoppers with adorable drawings.

Figure out what you want to do with your future. Follow your dreams, and have fun in the process. It might appear to be a long shot now, but even if it does not end up working out, you want to be able to say that you tried.