As a student in my final year at Jackson-Reed, I have witnessed the impacts of hustle culture firsthand. It factors into every area of our education, from what classes we take to what we plan to do after graduation. Furthermore, the presence of a class rank reinforces the idea that all students must be the best and take the most APs in order to be successful. Many students fall victim to it, including myself. What I wish someone told me my freshman year is that high school hustle culture is a load of crap.
Let’s be clear on one thing: I am in no way saying that challenging yourself academically is a bad thing. It is important to be academically challenged, and each high school student should feel that way at some point. We are lucky to even go to a school where we have the opportunity to grow as students in advanced courses (for free, I might add). However, what I am against is students using one another as a measure of how far they are pushing themselves. By the time I graduate high school, I will have taken 12 AP classes. While this was my decision at the end of the day, I would be lying if I said that other’s perceptions of me didn’t play a factor in that decision.
It is very easy to get wrapped up in pressure from both peers and parents. “You’re selling yourself short” and “You could do more” are both phrases I heard in the past four years, which just led to me having too much on my plate. It is genuinely not worth it to sacrifice your mental health just to have a more impressive schedule. Yes, colleges do like it when a student is involved, but they also like it when you have a life beyond the classroom. We all need a balance of school and personal life, so be involved in what you love! It doesn’t have to be academic.
Many people also have a habit of comparing their grades and test scores. We believe these numbers define us because we are told they do if you want to get into college. Again, this is something we need to deprogram from our brains! Everyone has different strengths, and we don’t need to constantly remind others what ours are. So, as you go through high school, PLEASE do not make discouraging comments on other people’s choices. Worry about yourself!
Applying to college is arguably one of the most mentally draining processes in a person’s life. Many students apply to the best schools in the country and believe if they do not get in or go anywhere “less impressive,” that they have failed. Let’s be clear: getting into and attending any post-secondary academic institution is impressive within itself. A four-year college or university is great for many, but not for everyone. Don’t judge another person’s path because, frankly, it’s insensitive. Though getting into an Ivy League school is a fabulous accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated, it does not mean that person is smarter and deserves it more than someone else.
Learning not to care about the judgment of others is ultimately one of the best skills that a young adult can develop. I myself am still working on it, but I have realized that hustle culture has harmed me more than it has helped me. Here are the questions students should really be asking themselves: How am I going to be happy in life? What can I do to get there? That is what matters. High school is only four years. You will learn a lot, but the judgments of people here will genuinely not matter once you get your diploma. So, take whatever classes you want. Do whatever extracurriculars interest you. Once you graduate, take the path that is the best for YOU and no one else. The only person’s happiness you can control is your own. •
