The Pressure to ‘Have It All’: What High School Doesn’t Tell You
- Shriya Sreejith
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
High school can feel like this crazy juggling act where you’re expected to be perfect at everything. Good grades, tons of clubs, sports, volunteering, leadership roles, test prep, and somehow still have a social life. It’s like everyone’s telling you to have it all.
But honestly? That pressure can get really overwhelming. Trying to do everything doesn’t make you a better student or a better person, it just makes you exhausted and stressed out. There’s so much pressure coming from all directions — parents, teachers, friends, social media — and it’s easy to start comparing yourself to everyone else’s highlight reel. But the truth is, no one can really do it all. And that’s totally okay. What schools, and sometimes even ourselves, forget is that high school is supposed to be about finding out what you care about, not just checking off a million boxes to look good on paper.
Why the Pressure Is So Dangerous
Trying to do it all usually means stretching yourself way too thin, juggling AP classes, clubs, sports, volunteering, test prep, and more. While these things can be fun and rewarding, when it feels like a never-ending list, it just turns into stress.
Passion turns into a chore. What should be a time to explore and grow ends up feeling like a race to check off boxes. This kind of pressure not only messes with your mental health but also takes away the joy from learning and growing. High school is supposed to help you discover who you are and what you love. But when everything feels like a competition, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters to you.
The Myth of ‘Doing It All’
Here’s the deal — no one can actually do it all. Behind every success story, there are hard choices and sacrifices. The perfect “well-rounded” student isn’t someone who’s involved in everything but someone who shows real commitment and growth in the areas they actually care about. Trying to do too much can even hurt your chances because it’s hard to show real impact when you’re spreading yourself thin.
How to Break Free From the Pressure
Pick What Matters to You Instead of trying every club or sport, focus on the things that genuinely interest you or mean something. It’s better to do a few things well than to do a lot without passion.
Learn to Say No It’s okay to say no to opportunities that don’t fit your goals or just add stress. Saying no isn’t failing, it’s taking care of yourself
Set Realistic Goals Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. Celebrate small wins and growth, not just the big achievements.
Talk About How You Feel You don’t have to keep all the pressure inside. Talk to friends, family, or counselors. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Make Time to Rest Rest is not a luxury, it’s necessary. Your brain and body need breaks to recharge and work their best.
Remember Your Worth Isn’t a Resume You are more than your grades or activities. Your kindness, creativity, and resilience matter just as much.
Looking Ahead
High school is only one part of your life story. The habits and balance you build now will help you long after you graduate.
So if you’re feeling like you have to ‘have it all’, remember this: it’s okay not to do everything. It’s okay to focus on what really matters to you. And it’s okay to take care of yourself first.
Resources:
National Association for College Admission Counseling. (2022). What colleges look for in applicants. https://www.nacacnet.org/research/articles/what-colleges-look-for/
Shriya Sreejith, Bentonville, AR, 11th Grade, Instagram - @_shriya_s_