You Are Not Alone in the Race To Nowhere

AP classes, endless homework, after school sports, honors clubs, extra curricular activities, college essays…deep breath… catching up with friends, spending time with family, parties, gatherings, obligations, preparing for college…and enjoying senior year of high school?...

If the previous paragraph sounds anything like your life, you probably really did take a deep breath where it said “deep breath.” Good news: you’re not the only one that feels this way. Your senior year of high school can be a ridiculously trying time with a lot of pressure coming at you from many different directions. What is the best way to channel these pressures? Learn to talk about them, diffuse them, and take action for change NOW.

In learning to manage stress and get to the root of the problem early on in life, you’ll find that as you face challenges in years to come, they’ll get easier for you to deal with. It’s kind of like riding a bike. You learn to ride a bike when you are really young. Even if you don’t ride again for quite a while, the ride may be bumpy at first, but you will still remember how to ride the course. It’s the same with obstacles in your life. If you learn how to overcome obstacles now, later when you encounter them, the ride may be a little bumpy but you’ll know how to ride it out.

Last night I attended a screening of the documentary film, Race To Nowhere, at Ridgewood High School which included a post-film discussion with the Producer and Co-Director, Vicki Abeles. As one of the students pointed out during this discussion: overbearing course loads, upcoming tests, homework, and papers took all but 6 seniors away from the Race To Nowhere post-film discussion.

Know that the pressures you are feeling are so much bigger than just you, and what you can fit in your locker. Talk to your friends and classmates and do your part to not only discuss and de-stress with each other, but become part of the solution. Talk to your parents and get the conversation started with the administration at your high school. Don’t be afraid to ask for the support that you need. What would it take to have a homework free Spring Break? What would that bring into your life that you’re missing or needing right now? What other solutions can you brainstorm with your friends and classmates to facilitate change? Get the conversation started, and in the meantime don’t forget to take time each day to just de-stress and be you. There may be millions of high school students nationwide, but there’s only one you. Enjoy your senior year and focus on the positives. These are the times to remember- and there are plenty more awesome things in store for you, right around the corner!

Want to know more about the documentary that’s representing you? Visit: www.RaceToNowhere.com. Have a question or comment about this blog? We love hearing from you! Email us at info@oneTRUEzone.com.