Blue Valley is well known for its academics — we’re one of the best schools in Kansas and nationally ranked. Every year, we score high on state assessments and send hundreds of kids off to college. We have national merit and AP scholars. Our school has won countless awards from the National Blue Ribbon in 2012 to Presidential School Award every year since 2000.

As you walk into the school these achievements are displayed for everyone to see.

With all these accomplishments, there’s a lot of pressure on students to do well. Students feel they need to live up the reputation that this school has created leaving many stressed under the pressure. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve heard someone be disappointed about finishing the semester with a B in a class, or that they missed two questions on a test when they should have missed none.

Students fill their schedule with AP classes leaving them with no time during the week for anything but homework. Even with tiger paws, there isn’t always available time for work since it’s also used for clubs, leaving not everyone with time to get ahead on their homework.

The day before tests, students stay up until midnight studying for a good score.  

School shouldn’t consume your whole life. You don’t have to be working on schoolwork the minute you get home till the minute you go to sleep. Your schedule doesn’t always need to be filled with challenging classes.

It’s OK to not have straight A’s.

It’s OK to not fill your schedule with all advanced classes.

And it’s OK to not get accepted into the school with an 18% acceptance rate.

These four years should be a time you enjoy without the constant stress. BV offers so many courses from philosophy to beginning acting. Take a class you’re unsure about — you may end up loving it and it’ll break up your day.

With that, there’s a time to challenge yourself. If you love science, take an AP science class. If you love reading there’s AP literature.

Especially with finals coming up, self-care is important. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I promise, getting a C won’t kill you. There should be a balance between getting your work done and enjoying high school. High school sucks sometimes, but it’s up to you to make the most of it. It doesn’t have to involve all the stress.

Plus, college is expensive anyway.