At Wilsonville High School, many students feel the pressure to keep up perfect grades. Whether it’s trying to get a 4.0 GPA, getting into a good college, or meeting family expectations, this pressure can affect students in both good and bad ways.

On the bright side, working hard to get good grades can teach important skills like time management and responsibility. A lot of students feel motivated to reach their goals and feel proud of their achievements. Getting good grades can lead to scholarships and open up future opportunities, which is exciting for many.

But the stress of always trying to get top grades can also be tough. Some students struggle with anxiety, burnout, and not getting enough sleep because of the pressure. “I feel like I get stressed out when I have bad grades, and then like especially when I can’t fix them on time,” Grace Alameda, a Sophomore explains. It can be hard to balance schoolwork with personal time, and students might end up sacrificing their well-being just to keep their grades up.

The struggle gets even harder when you add extracurriculars into the mix. Many students are involved in sports, clubs, or other activities after school. Balancing all of that with homework can be overwhelming.

“My sport can cause me to miss tests due to practice days, or if we get home late, or on weekends if we don’t come home early enough I struggle with getting homework done,” Andrew Herrera, a Junior shares.

It’s important for students to find a balance and for the school to support each other. Teachers, counselors, and friends help create an environment where the focus is on learning and growing, not just getting perfect grades.