This blog will be a little different. Last night while sitting around talking to several of my colleagues who are university professors we began to discuss the growing pressures placed on students by parents, community, and peers. One of the members of the group actually has research interest in this area and she posed several questions to me regarding this issue. I told her what I had witnessed from my students, but I also said I would pass along the questions to you guys and forward your responses to her. So, from a very cold downtown Denver, CO (and not much snow yet) here are your questions. Please discuss in general. I'm not asking you to pour out your problems here, but just discuss in general.
- First, do you feel any pressures to perform academically?
- What pressures have been placed upon you to perform academically and by whom?
- How do you meet your academic goals?
- What affects have these pressures had upon you?
- Have the pressures led you to cheat and take shortcuts? (you don't have to provide specific details - discuss in general).
You may also add any additional comments you wish.
Of course there is pressure to perform academically. From the time we are little we hear about how we have to go to college to be successful in life and that good grades will get us there. My mom would check grades on the internet or through the teacher to make sure that I was on the right track and if I wasn't then I would be grounded until my grades improved. As I have gotten older I am more self driven to do well because I want to go to college and have a successful career and be able to provide for my family. I try to study and prepare myself for tests. I have found certain study habits, like flash cards, that help me learn class material. Academic pressure has taught me to be a hard working student and although I have resented my mom's involvement in my education at times, I am grateful to her and I think that it has made me a more well rounded person. I think that to a certain extent academic pressure is healthy because it teaches you to work hard and to fear failure. Sometimes this fear of failure can go too far, such as leading a student to cheat. I know that I am guilty of cheating and I know that it is more rare for a student to have not cheated than to have cheated.( I hope that sentence is not too confusing). But if our parents did not teach us to be disappointed when we perform poorly or fail then we probably all would not still be in school or have ambitions in life. Academic pressure has gotten me where I am today and I am grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteI do personally feel obligated academically, at least in some cases. Generally speaking, I've been pressured throughout my life academically by my parents and my peers because of their concern for my future. It seems to be a mutual feeling for most people that to do well for yourself in life you need to have a good education, which includes doing the best that you can. I never took this kind of pressure too seriously though, because I have always felt that I have the ability to create opportunities for myself in which I will become successful no matter what the scenario. That does not mean I have no strong obligations towards academics though. Especially when I was younger, I really made a point to hold myself accountable for my own work. Doing my best and taking pride in my work was something that just came naturally due to my competitive nature and the determination to be the best that I could be in anything. It may sound cocky, but when I was really young I had the impression that if I tried hard enough I could do anything better than anyone. To put into context, I felt absolutely wretched if I, or someone else, found another person's work to be better than mine. It wasn't exactly a healthy attitude but it certainly put a productive pressure on me academically. This attitude has lessened over the years due to becoming less arrogant I suppose, but also due to the bitterly less challenging/interesting curriculum I encountered as I went from an exceptional elementary school to what I see as a terribly unbalanced middle/high school. This has affected my will to do my best academically as well as my determination to hold myself accountable since I find myself wondering why am I taking something so frivolous so seriously? At this point, sadly, my goals academically are simply to make the grade I want. Do an assignment suitable enough to get something that will help my college resume and that is it. Not going above and beyond just because I have the ability to. I have cheated to reach my academic goals before, but I try not to unless it can't be helped. Generally when I cheat I feel that the assignment is too ridiculous to do without an open resource like the internet. But I don't cheat due to the pressures put on me academically more or less, since the main pressure for me before was self imposed.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a sidenote, I'm not trying to bash on my middle school or high school, but merely trying to expound on why my attitude towards academics has changed so drastically. There were just a multitude of factors that swayed me in a less than desirable direction, and I regret it to an extent but still feel more than capable in terms of handling my future.
1. I feel some pressure to perform academically. I’ve never had any threats spelled out in front of me (ie: if you don’t ___ you get grounded…etc) and I think I would actually do worse in school if I did.
ReplyDelete2. I think I hold myself to more pressure than my parents do, and that’s why I’m thankful they never talk about my grades. To an extent, my dad, in Reno, puts a little bit of pressure on me because he thinks my half-brother needs an example.
3. I meet my academic goals by studying? I’m not sure how I meet my academic goals.
4. Stress. Especially at the end of Junior year when there were a lot of standardized tests to take.
5. Yes, taking shortcuts is really tempting because things get frustrating and sometimes I just want to get projects over with. It’s really hard to spend twice as much effort on something and still not find the answer and then watch someone else take a shortcut and get the project done in 5 minutes.
I feel a huge amount of pressure to perform academically. My parents have always stressed having good grades, but most of the pressure is self-imposed. I have always been an overachiever when it came to school and have always had an underlying pull to truly learn the material. Normally, in pursuit to actually learn the subject, the good grades come naturally. I do not have very good memorization skills, and much prefer to just intrinsically know something than to have to incorporate numerous pneumonic devices to remember it. Also, from a very young age my parents have engrained in me the importance of college and have made it very clear that good grades are the ticket.
ReplyDeleteI am a very schedule-oriented person and have approached my academics with the same strategy. I always write assignments and test dates in my calendar and throughout the week I make a lot of to-do lists so that I am always aware of things that need to get done. That structure may drive some crazy, but it relaxes me and actually gives me more time to chill out or do something outside of school. Sometimes the pressure and the schoolwork get to be too much and I freak out a little. Honestly, I rarely freak out about my grades. I mostly just freak out about getting it all done in a fashion that meets my standards while still having time to relax and sleep. Sometimes, I do take shortcuts when doing assignments, though it is normally if I do not see any inherent merit in the assignment. I have rarely cheated, and when I have, it has either been on something small or it has been to help a friend with an assignment.
1.Yes, of course I feel pressure to perform acaemically. I would be suprised if anyone in the class didn't feel even the slightest amount of pressure. As andrew stated, it has been instilled in us that in order to make something of ourselves we must get an education and perform well.
ReplyDelete2.The pressure to make all As or atleast try the best I can has come from my parents but also myself. However, only occasionally has this really felt like a burden because I know my parents understand that I am trying my hardest and thats all they expect.
3.I try to meet my academic goals by studying and staying organized.
4.As I stated before, these pressures have rarely been a burden on me,they have mostly just encouraged me to be my best.
5.I have used a shortcut or cheated before in order to get the grade I need, however if I do it's usually something small or just utilizing the internet when I can't find the answer in my material.
Yes, I do feel pressure to preform academically. I think it's more from myself than my peers or parents though. And of course I want to make my parents proud.
ReplyDeleteThe pressures to preform have been placed on me indirectly by my parents. Though they have never been hard on me, I know that they need all the help they can paying for my college and that is my responsibility.
I try to meet my academic goals by simply being a good student and doing as much as possible to get the grades I need.
The pressure really isn't a burden, but I guess I would be somewhat depressed if I failed.
Yes the pressure has led to me taking shortcuts. I don't think that it would be that tempting, but when you have a large amount of work to do, shortcuts make your life easier. Also, since our school system places so much emphasis on the grade you got and not what you learned, I think that shortcuts have been made even more tempting
@Andrew i agree with your point about cheating only becoming a problem when there is no other way to successfully accomplish your goals
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ReplyDelete1. Yes, I feel tremendous pressure to perform academically. As a Senior I feel this pressure even more! You have to make great/good grades, get good scholarships, and be successful OR make ok grades, get few (if any) scholarships, and be buried in student loans forever when you graduate!
ReplyDelete2. Most of my pressure is self imposed. I understand that I need to help my parents pay for my college tuition because of my future career goals, and it causes me to place a lot pressure on myself. If I knew that my college tuition would be paid for I would not stress half as much as I do now. Tho my parents want me to succeed, they understand I may fall short of my goals. On another note, the pressure has forced me to perform at my greatest potential and drives me to not stop till I reach my goals.
3. I do whatever I possibly can to obtain my goals. Weather it be staying home, or not getting enough sleep I do everything in my power to obtain my goals.
4. I will not lie, I have had severe anxiety and even depression behind my grades. Because I see how much I sacrifice to do assignments, it is a major disappointment when my grades don't reflect my hard work. Not only does it feel like you let yourself down but also your parents, even if they don't show it.
5. Yes, pressure has led me to cheat and take shortcuts. I mean, what are your options? Receive a zero and get a bad grade or cheat and keep a good grade. Don't get me wrong it is not that I cannot or that I am too lazy to do my work it is a severe lack of time. As, an active student in and outside of school it is hard to do four classes of work in one night. Especially if the teacher loves to give unnecessarily long problems.
@everyone who has supportive parents who understand that we do our best. I am very thankful to have a great support system. Without someone to care about what we do or how we do it would we really be determined to succeed? Would we still put fourth our best effort?
ReplyDelete1. I most definitely feel pressure to perform academically. Honestly, I believe that anybody that has hopes and dreams of becoming successful ,in what ever it is that they want to do, has some form of academic pressure.
ReplyDelete2. I think most of my pressure comes from within and slightly from my parents. We all know that chances of becoming successful without being properly educated are slim to none. I am very aware of how much college cost and how it can hurt your pocket sometimes,(parents) which is probably my main reason for putting pressure on myself. My parents don't really pressure me directly, however, they have made wonderful examples out of themselves and have been an incredible support system, which also places a little more pressure to do well like them.
3. I try to reach my academic goals by staying focused, studying, relaxing and trying to maintain a median between the three. Personally, I feel that we perform our best when we're in our comfort zone but not to deep in it. Well at least some of us do.
4.At times it can be stressful. Especially when you start taking all these exams and test that show you were you will, more than likely, end up in life and college. (ACT, SAT, PSAT,etc.) On the flip side, it is motivation, encouragement and a reminder for me to always do my best and keep striving to reach my goals.
5. Yes I have cheated and/or taken shortcuts. I mean who hasn't? I don't find the pressure to cheat very tempting often; however, when I do give into that pressure it's usually because I feel the assignment is to hard to accomplish with out other resources in the time alloted to us. Not saying I cheat every time something gets rough, just saying sometimes it allows you to breath a little easier.
@ amber I think we would still have the desire to do well it just wouldn't be as strong as it would with them caring.
ReplyDelete@ amber I couldn't agree more with you on the point about your work not reflecting your efforts and hard work. It makes you feel as if it all went in vain. VERY frustrating.
ReplyDelete1. I feel a large amount of pressure to excel academically, and i hold myself to that standard now because its simply what I know. There really isn't another option.
ReplyDelete2. Pressure to perform comes from all around, but most noticably my parents. Of course it comes from them, they instil these values in you in the beginning from birth. I want to excel mostly it seems though because of my competitive nature.
3. I obtain my grades through my natural talent I guess. I never have been much of a studier (is that a word, if not it is now), everything just kind of comes naturally. However when I know I dont know a subject, I will try to study a bit, although that is still on rare occasions.
4. Because of these pressures i'm a ballerrrrrr. I'm in the top 10 of my class, and i have maintained a 4.0 or higher through high school. My grades have been outstanding from the beginning when I started school until now, and I'm very proud of that.
5. Of course it does occasionally, but most of the time I have enough confidence in my own abilities not to have to take shortcuts.
@ Cortez: I like that you pointed out that the school system puts so much emphasis on the grades and not on what you learned. I think that a lot of times our grade we get doesn't truly reflect how hard we tried or how much we mastered the material.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel a pressure to perform academically, just because everyone is always telling us that we have to be better than the rest to have a chance. You have to get the highest test scores and a perfect GPA and do enough community service and be in these clubs and show everyone that you can be a leader and then MAYBE you’ll be ready for college. I don’t really get a lot of the pressure from my parents, they’ve always just told me to do the best I can and don’t stress about it too much. They don’t really have to bribe to get my home work done. I’m not a hard core studier, but I pay attention in class and take notes, and I make sure all my class work and homework gets done. I get stressed pretty often, especially this year. But, this doesn’t lead me to want to cheat. I’ll admit it is nice to share all my classes with Mona because we can work together on assignments if we’re having trouble understanding it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do feel pressured to perform academically. Not only by my parents, but by my teachers, myself, and my community. My parents just automatically expect good grades out of me because I've been keeping them up for so long. So there is no settling for less than the best in my household. My teachers pressure me because like my parents they expect nothing less than the best. I pressure myself mainly because of my competitive spirit and striving to keep my grades up to stay ahead of my peers is just in my nature. I am pressured by my community because we as a school are somewhat looked down upon by other schools. I, coming from a single parent home, am really above the average student in my predicament. When I hear statistics read about those who receive free lunch and how low they are, I strive to break that statistic and raise those numbers; because as one who receive free lunch, I often feel insulted and I'd rather not be judged way. I meet my academic goals by believing in myself and trying my best not to give up and remembering how much trouble I'd get in if they drop. I believe that my academic pressures have made me somewhat of a better student. By not just accepting ANYTHING, I actually can work hard and do what I need to do to keep my grades up. It has also made me a more disciplined student over the years. Unfortunately, yes, the pressure has caused me to cheat; but that comes with not wanting to disappoint those with high expectations for me including myself.
ReplyDelete@ Amber (2nd comment)
ReplyDeleteIf we didn't have someone to push us, I don't feel we'd be as productive as we are. I honestly doubt I would because I wouldn't know any better so I probably wouldn't do better.
Yes, I do feel as if I am pressured academically. I feel pressured by not only parents, but other relatives, teachers, myself and my fellow classmates. The pressure to do well in school by others is because I know they want and expect me to do well and they expect me to go to college and be successful in life. I do want to be successful and go to college, but did anyone ever ask me if I WANTED to attend college? No, they just assumed that I did. Lately, And truthfully I have not been meeting my academic goals at all. But in the past I have get a planner or to do list to meet my goals. I must be organized to do anything right. I like to have a checklist so I feel that I have accomplished things and it keeps me going on what I need to do. I think that the effects of pressure affect me in a rather weird way. I used to feel as if others expecting a lot out of me and if I did not fulfill their wants the world would end. Then I slowly stopped believing that and now I feel like I cannot make other people "satisfied" with the things that I do. I can always be better in whatever I'm doing. Yes, the pressures have lead me to cheating or what I call "teamwork". Haha. But seriously the pressures has almost like set me back to where I feel as if I can't be accomplished without cheating. I'm not sure why...
ReplyDeleteSo in closing, pressure doesn't always necessarily motivate me, it almost puts me down.
ReplyDelete1)Of course I feel pressured to perform academically. I feel more pressured to try my best. I'm capable of making grades. I want to do well.
ReplyDelete2)My parents have stressed the importance of doing well in school my entire life. I pressure myself to do well in school. I want to have goods grades. College has been talked about my entire life. Grades are important to colleges.
3) I learn. I remember. I cram right before the test. I study. My goal would be just do do my best. I want to go to college. I want to have a decent GPA for colleges to review.
4)Sometimes it gets really stressful when you make bad grades and know you need to perform well in order to make those good grades. Sometimes I feel really pressed for time.
5)I've cheated. I'm not proud of it. It never helped me learn the material.
I definitely feel that there is pressure to perform academically. We have always been told that we have to go to college in order to succeed in life, and that we have to take certain classes and make certain test scores or we won’t get where we need to be, and that is stressful because I don’t even have a clue about what I want to do when I am done with school. My parents have never pressured me about grades or anything; they just they expect me to do my best. I think most of the pressure comes from society in general. I try to work hard in my classes, because I don’t like getting bad grades, especially if I know that I am not trying. I feel stressed often and I don’t get involved in out of school activities because I don’t usually have the time. Since Lena and I share all of our classes we end up working together on assignments.
ReplyDelete1) At this point in my academic career I feel less pressure than I did when I was younger. I feel that we've reached a point as seniors that most of the pressure of high school has been alleviated and is insignificant because in a sense, it is almost too late to have much effect. I still feel pressure though because I do plan on attending college and feel pressured into that.
ReplyDelete2) The main pressure that has been placed on me is to make the best grade possible(while being realistic that perfection isn't the goal). It was primarily my parents that placed this on me, but as I matured I developed that mindset for myself and didn't need them to push me because I became self motivated.
3) I usually meet my academic goals. I try to set goals that are attainable, but not easy to reach; that way I am challenged but still am realistic.
4) The biggest affect any pressure puts on a student is stress. The more pressured you are to get the highest grade, the more stress you encounter in trying to reach that goal.
5) I have taken shortcuts but it is usually not because of pressure to perform. I have done it because I feel that the assignment, from my point of view, could not be done otherwise.
Personally, I have become extremely apathetic when it comes to academics because I feel that at this point in high school, I only have to make the grades to keep me where I'm at. Realistically it's too late to truly improve, so all I have to do is the minimum to get by.
1. Yes, I have felt alot of pressures to perform academically. But with saying that I am still able to find a way to make it through successfully.
ReplyDelete2. My father hasn't been in my life since I was born. It didn't start to bother me until I got mid ways in school, but now that I have matured more, I am getting better at accepting it and knowing that life goes on and that I have to live for myself and to strive to be the better person. Also, my mom is a chronic diabetic and suffers with nueropathy in her legs and feet. We have had many hardships with her health, which makes me worry constantly, but it has gotten better.
3. I meet my academic goals by never giving up and knowing that I have a great future ahead of me and all I have to do is manage my time, continue to reach for it, and never give up.
4. My pressures have put alot of troublesomes on me as far as: making it hard for me to concentrate, being stressing, and sometimes having the mantality to give up. But I also had people encouraging me and never giving up on me.
5. Sometimes I would be so stressed that I would fall back on some of my expectations and assignments and I would take shortcuts and cheat, but at the end of the day I would regret it, because what did it profit me? NOTHING!!! We have to realize that every decision that we make helps shape our future and you don't want it to be based on cheating and taking shortcuts. You have to earn a successful future, so that it is somewhat promised to last, because you won't always have a chance to cheat and take shortcuts. So it is better to know everything you need to know to the best of your ability.
1. Yes, I do feel pressure to perform academically. Although, it has been difficult at some times, I can't say that I'm not thankful for it.
ReplyDelete2. Throughout my academic career, probably starting with 1st grade when you start doing "real work", there was a standard to maintain and to achieve good grades. A lot of the pressure has come from my parents and family but eventually, as I got older, I find it coming from myself. After you've heard your parents say something over and over, hopefully and eventually it will stick and you'll apply it yourself.
3. There isn't really anything different I've tried doing to meet my academic goals...? I've always done what I knew I could do and did fine that way.
4. This type of pressure can be stressful. In a sense, it's nice to know that your parents or family care enough to be so concerned about your grades and how well you're doing in school, but it can become overwhelming trying to please everyone. There could be two consequences to this. This pressure could be helpful. If your grades are slipping, it might be motivation to do better. On the other hand, if you're doing the very best you can, it may become too much for you to bear.
5. Yes, this pressure has lead me to take shortcuts. It's really not all that tempting to cheat unless you feel you have no other option.
I, like the majority feel a certain amount of pressure to preform well academically. Not only by the grades I make in classes but also compared againist what other students are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe a great deal oof the pressure comes from having two very intelligent parents who didn't make it through highschool. Although they both have GEDs I've always watched the hardships not having a formal education has brought upon them. I'm not out to prove a point to my parents but just to show that the sacrifices they have made aren't in vain.
I try and meet my goals by scheduling times to accomplish certain parts. When this fails I have a good sense of getting it knocked out at the last minute.
The pressure has helped motivate me and made me strive harder to reach goals. But has also led to fights with my parents and feeling guilty when certain grades aren't made. But at the end of the day it's good.
Of course I've taken shortcuts, even though they won't always be there it's a risk. It comes down to how much it means to you.
1. Yes, I feel academic pressure. Especially if I don't feel I’m doing so well in a class than it kind of affect my being able to sleep. Than I start crunching numbers to see what I have to do to reach my academic goal.
ReplyDelete2. I place a lot of pressure on myself to perform academically. Also since this is my senior year I have some pressure from trying to keep my transcript looking good so I can get into college. Other than those two than it's my mother. Most of the time if she knows I’ve been working hard than she try to be understanding and ask me do I need help. On the other hand if she thinks I haven't been working hard and my grade doesn't look right than she's gone give me trouble.
3. The pressure that I receive help make me do better, and motivate me. On the other hand like I said earlier I have some sleep disturbance.
4. Yes, I have cheated or taken a short cut to achieve my academic goal. Not a lot, but when it couldn't be helped.
I think some pressure is good, but to much can be stressful. My mothers seem to know how to give a good amount. I'm the one who gives myself the stressful pressure. Also I like to keep this perspective of how some people look at me, and on the other hand change some of the ways people look at me.
Yes, I do feel pressured academically most certainly. The factors that have caused this pressure come from mostly parents and by my future goals that require academic excellence. I have met most of my goals at this point in my life by I strongly believe blessings from God, hard work, and sometimes just knowing the right people. the affects have really helped me in more ways than making a grade I've learned how to work through the hard times and use the things and people around me to my best benefit. These pressures early on led me to attempt to cheat but I wasn't to great at that so I stopped but nowadays though I just earn my grade for what I know and not what others know whether the grade is good or bad.
ReplyDelete@Tmeeks I agree some pressure is pretty good.
ReplyDelete1. I do feel pressures to perform academically, but I also feel that if it were not for my personal background, it would be very easy to not perform anywhere close to my maximum potential. This would mainly be due to the amount of learning time lost because of disciplinary steps that my schools have had to take, lack of adequate funding, and the history of mediocracy that Alabama schools have in comparison with many other parts of the country. I understand the importance of a solid education thanks to the amount of exposure I have had, but the "pressure" is pretty self-driven by way of parental influence.
ReplyDeleteWhat pressures have been placed upon you to perform academically and by whom?
2. I kind of answered this question in last answer, but to add on I would say that the pressures put on me were always very positive and encouraging, mainly by my parents and specific teachers, as well as other admirable figures that utilized their education to do great things.
3. I would feel confident in saying that I am fortunate in having above average intelligence, which has been the most beneficiary component of achieving my academic goals, but as far as specific actions I have taken to achieve these goal would include outlining and identifying to myself what is important about what I am learning, asking questions, and using my time wisely when working and studying.
4. The effects of having these pressures implemented upon me throughout my childhood is that it is not a conscious decision for me think critically and the ideas of education and learning seem very positive in my mind.
5. I don't think that the pressures of academic achievement have caused me to cheat or take short cuts just to get a certain grade, I feel that that purely comes from laziness, or a lack of interest in the subject matter. For me, these pressures have taught me to value learning, therefore the only reason I would need to cheat or take shortcuts is if I feel it is unnecessary to learn the information I'm cheating on, but still want to maintain a good grade.
1.Yes. Sometimes, I really feel as though I am in need of that push to keep me on the correct path to fulfill my future goals.
ReplyDelete2.Majority of the pressure has come from my mom for several years. She has always pushed me to do my best within school and to finish what I started years ago. She has told me that she wants me to achieve everything that she knows I am capable of doing (i.e. 4 year college, med-school).
3.I meet my goals by staying focused on the tasks at hand and studying to improve my grades.
4.I would have to say that the affects of academic pressures has actually gotten me very far. I would say that my grades are very reasonable when it comes to those helping me along with great encouragement(good pressure).
5.Yes. I mean hasn't everyone? Everyone has felt the need to have the "perfect" grades in school to impress their parents and also peers.
Sometimes, the pressure to perform well academically can ultimately result in a good outcome for certain students, but could also become the downfall for others. It affects everyone in different ways. So your outcome is all dependent upon how you take it.
@Jen: I agree. Pressure helps me sometimes, but not with every situation I'm in. In reality, it does make me feel a little down, so to speak when it doesn't help me.
ReplyDelete@ Andrew
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I greatly feel your pain about the transition from elementary school to middle/high, but I also am extremely grateful for my Montessori education for setting a strong foundation. I'm positive it is a large contributor to our overall attitudes about education, and have set us up for success no matter what quality of school ensued. Don't think I'm implying that you do not feel the same way, for I am sure you do, I just felt that this should be noted.
@ Jessica
You meet your academic goals because you are chinese. ^^
1&2. I've alaways felt pressures academically from my parents, they set things on me that no way in life would i succeed without preforming well in school.
ReplyDelete3. ive met my academic goals in life by applying mself as best i can in most situations.
4. The pressures have made me almost mad to a point that i want to be extremely succesful without preforming well in school things.
5. the pressure hasnt led me to cheat or take shortcuts thats not to say i havent cheated ever on anything but it wasnt because i felt so pressured to make a good grade.
1)First, do you feel any pressures to perform academically?
ReplyDelete-Yes, I feel pressures to perform academically. People expect me to be very successful in my academics. I can truly say if I work hard I can meet those standards.
2)What pressures have been placed upon you to perform academically and by whom?
-The academic pressures that have been placed upon me consist of AP classes. My mother put me in AP classes because she believes I need to chllenge myself to prepare for college.
3)How do you meet your academic goals?
-I meet my academic goals by applying myself in a way I know I can understand the material. Also, I have to stop myself from being lazy and study everyday.
4)What affects have these pressures had upon you?
-The affect that the pressures have on me are good. It stops me from being lazy, helps me to learn how I study best, and it show me how much I really want something.
5)Have the pressures led you to cheat and take shortcuts? (you don't have to provide specific details - discuss in general).
In reality there really is no way I can cheat or get around academic pressures. They are always going to be in my life, and i have learned to except that that is the only way I am going to be successful.
@John I agree with the fact that you appply yourself it helps with academic pressures.
ReplyDelete1. Yes i feel people are challenged academically. Some parents pressure their children to make good grades in schools. Student look at other students grades and pressure themselves to do better. Even as far as looking into their future, the know what they have to do to get where they wanna be so that would pressure them
ReplyDelete2. As far as this year my biggest pressures would be maintaing a good grade in my AP class, scoring high on the ACT and meeting all the requirements for the college i want to attend.
3. I would consider myself a big procrastinator, so i try to do stuff on time, and make sure i do what needs to be done. As far as my grades, whatever is given i do it and also i put forth effort into everything i do to get a decent grade.
4. My affects would be if i dont study more than likely i want do good, an also another one would be if i wait more than likely it want get done,and i might be up all night trying to do something i should have been doing, so i try to stay on task with everything. Excluding today i think i have done a good job with staying on task with things.
5. Yes some of my pressures has caused me to cheat, cause if i/ we know we havent studied then we wouldnt do as good so to avoid doing very badly i have cheated before, but no i dont do it often.
Just adding this note:
ReplyDeleteI think for the majority of us here the pressure to succeed is there, but I think we accept it readily and that it has produced satisfactory results. It's become instilled in us to apply the pressure to ourselves so that we do make the grades and apply ourselves. I am thankful for the pressures and am glad that as a kid my parents forced me to study and do my best when it came to academics.
@Madison: I know how it is to have a parent who didn't complete school. My mother never did and I see how hard it is for her to be successful. My dad on the other hand did graduate from AUM and doesn't even use his degree and hasn't for about 15 years or so.
ReplyDeletedo you feel any pressures to perform academically?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do feel like we are pressured academically. Personally, I do feel pressured from my parents and others. My family just expects me to do good in school and take my education serious.
What pressures have been placed upon you to perform academically and by whom?
My grandmother pressures me the most. She wants for me to do so good and really succeed in all that I do. She is always telling me to be better than my parents and others who were not "successful" in her opinion.
How do you meet your academic goals?
I meet my academic goals just by studying, sometimes, and really working hard. Education is a big thing to me because I know I need it to get anywhere in the world.
What affects have these pressures had upon you?
Honestly, I don't really pay attention to the pressures. Sometimes when I see others making A's and Im still making B's, I pressure myself to do better. But other than that, I just do the best I can and if Im not happy with it I do better.
Have the pressures led you to cheat and take shortcuts? (you don't have to provide specific details - discuss in general).
I do think pressures have lead me to take shortcuts. It's like with most people I feel like being pressured too much may cause you to do things you wouldn't normally do.
@Everyone: I really do feel that most of the younger people today are facing the most pressure from their parents...so I think, for the most part we all agree on that much. So, is this a good or bad thing for the parents to do?...In other words do you think it affects us in a positive or negative way?
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to add in one of the immense pressures I've experienced concerning academic excellence. Being asian. Especially as a Korean, since we kick serious butt even for asian people. As a South Korean, I know I am genetically gifted with the ability to excel far beyond the stature of the frequent Caucasian American. This gift is a curse, since it pushes the expectations of my mathematical and science marks to ridiculous levels. I've considered extensive facial and bodily surgery to have my skin color changed and some rather common asian characteristics altered to that of a normal Anglo-Saxon person. You people just don't understand.
ReplyDelete@ Jessica: Just to inform you of the obvious. As a person who has taken the easy route out as opposed to working hard for their assignments, I feel less than them in a shameful way for not doing the best that I can like they have. I really envy their identity as a hard working intelligent student, since I see how those attributes are always found in people I find successful. And although it is cliche, it probably does help people out in the long run when they simply put forth the effort they know should go in instead of taking a shortcut.
@ everyone
ReplyDeleteI did not take the time to read everybodys response to find out but I think that everyone is guilty of cheating at this point in time. Cheating means giving people answers, using the internet or your phone to get answers. (many other methods apply as well.) Cheating is a real problem in schools today and I would go as far as to say that some people would have graduated or be where they are today without it.
@Diamond. I really like what you said in #3. I hate feeling too much pressure because I can't think very well.
ReplyDelete@Andrew. Actually, that wasn't very obvious, so thanks for commenting that.
ReplyDelete@Jessica, I agree with your statement about taking shortcuts, it all typically boils down to peer pressure. Are you going to watch someone else easily complete an assignment because they used a shortcut while you're struggling and not be tempted?
ReplyDelete@ Jennifer, yes people really never ask what would you like to do they would always assume, and i like that you stated that and most people feel pressured because they feel people are expecting them to do something.
ReplyDelete@amber-I agree that as a senior the pressure we feel does increase. There is the added pressure of having a good gpa and ACT for scholarships, especially if someone is wait-listed the pressure multiplies.Without these crucial scholarships we will probably be in debt for years,given that tuition goes up every year.
ReplyDelete@ Amber: I can totally relate to your #4 statement, especially in math. I've just learned that if I tried my hardest, that's about all I can do and I shouldn't stress about it because it only makes it worse if you obsess over it.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I feel the same way about too much pressure. It gets to the point where I lose the drive to work hard. However I do think that a little pressure is a good motivation tool.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for being open and honest. It's very insightful sometimes just to sit back and listen to what you have to say. I plan on sharing your comments with my friend at the University with which I had the conversation last week. The one response that kind of bit for me (Cortez) was a grade just for the sake of a grade. I truly wish there were alternative measures beyond testing and grading. I would love to see all the testing and grades go out the window for more brain-based learning. However, until I win the battle for that I'll keep plugging up the hill. :)
ReplyDelete