Parker is known for being a school that stands out from the crowd of Chicago schools, for its mission statement or its newly upgraded library. dnainfo.com wrote an article on the new library’s many features it contained. But there is one aspect of Parker that, according to my experiences, seems to be especially prevalent in the freshmen class: our stress level.

I’ve heard freshmen all over my grade become stressed over a simple quiz that counts for a tiny percentage of their grade and could easily be made up if necessary. I’ve seen these kids talk endlessly about how this quiz is stressing them out, how the only thing on their mind seems to be that quiz, how it will totally impact their college applications, and how they absolutely NEED to get a ___ on this quiz.

Take the English quiz in early April on some vocabulary words we were told to study, like “juxtaposition” and “rectitude.” From the minute it was announced, at least 5 people immediately started asking questions. Up until the day of the quiz, for about a week, they would constantly talk of it outside of class.

I won’t lie: I have also fallen victim to this kind of thinking, and I have also become that person that I described above. For specific tests in December before winter break, like in science and math, I found myself the entire week leading up to the test thinking about how much this would affect me when it came to college. Not an exaggeration.

For freshmen specifically, when thinking about a quiz or test, we should just do whatever makes us calm. Listen to music, watch TV — you do you. Just remember that there’s a very good chance this quiz won’t make or break your GPA. But here’s the main question I’ve asked myself recently: What is the cause?

Here’s one: Too much and too early college focus. I myself have noticed that I’m thinking about college a lot more, whether it be getting a grade back on a test or pondering which of my school activities stand out. I don’t quite know how upperclassmen thought about college when they were in my shoes, but I can say that over the years, the demand for more individuality amongst students has certainly gotten to lots of my grade’s heads.

Colleges are demanding more and more from applicants, due to the fact that spaces are increasingly limited. Students need to stand out, which causes them to start to juggle all sorts of activities, from maintaining stellar grades to doing dozens of extracurriculars, and getting involved with the community.

Students become more and more pressured to get amazing grades, especially at Parker, resulting in excessive amounts of stress. And just to be clear, the fact that kids have some stress is not bad. In fact, having smaller levels of stress is actually good for us.

In addition, Parker, according to Niche.com, an online reviewing website, is ranked at number 5 for best private schools in Chicago and Illinois.We have a serious reputation. And to be honest? I don’t know if this rating affects our stress levels. It might for some kids, and it might not for others. And yet our culture is full of kids who panic at the smallest examination.

The amounts of stress that Parker students seem to be under shouldn’t exist in our atmosphere. And I think (and hope) that most students would agree with me.

I think that the Parker faculty and staff help perpetuate the stress levels, which then causes students to become more stressed. They make simple quizzes and tests seem very important towards our GPA’s, without telling students (freshmen in particular) that it won’t dramatically impact us in the big picture. The freshmen teachers and faculty and staff need to stop perpetuating these stress levels, because if we stress about everything in 9th grade, it will continue on throughout our high school lives.

Parker is a place of learning, but if the stress levels continue to remain at the point they are at, that just won’t be good for anybody.