Students today are confronted with an incredible variety of demands and expectations. It can almost be paralyzing. In many ways, in fact, I think high school is fundamentally unfair. And simultaneously we expect students to pursue community service, to plan for alternative educational experience through travel or independent study, to be part of athletic teams, to partake in the arts, and to plan for college. The pressure can be immense.
Few adults face such diverse expectations.
Yet this is precisely the point. Through challenge and exploration, adolescents discover their talents, interests and potential. To undertake risk and challenge is the only way to ascertain what you are capable of accomplishing. You will fail from time to time, you will come up short in some areas, and you will make mistakes. Perfection is impossible, and the human condition is to err.