<p>This article is about high school stress and how one program sponsored by Stanford is trying to combat it.</p>
<p>I remember feeling the same way when my kids were in high school. Football, band, student government, academic team, baseball, Latin forum, NHS, umpiring... it really became ridiculous. Older son would have had it no other way, though. He probably sacrificed a little in terms of academic standing. If we had to do it all again, I'm really not sure what I'd advise.</p>
<p>The only good thing to come out of it, was that they developed self confidence and the ability to multi-task. I wasn't worried about how they would/could handle college life.</p>
<p>I have an over-extended senior and the stress is considerable in our house but we also laugh a lot and keep reminding each other how great our state u options are.</p>
<p>I watched my older kid juggle 2 honors and 2 AP classes junior year with wrestling, track, a science fair project (requirement of one of the honors classes), and a boyfriend. She was sick a lot and always stressed out. Senior year the boyfriend dumped her and she dumped wrestling, that pretty much got rid of the germs, but I kept telling my younger kid that he wasn't going to have a junior year like his sister's. He may not get into a super-prestigious college, but he has time to play his guitar and hone his magic skills - things that he cares about waaaaaaay more than his homework. You never know when you might get hit by a truck - better enjoy the journey.</p>
<p>"Life's a journey, not a destination..." (some Aerosmith song, don't remember the name).</p>
<p>I think kids can truly enjoy high school life when high schools and colleges dump GPA and class rank.</p>
<p>I agree with you coolweather! My D, now a college sophmore, was a stressed out H.S student. Always worried about AP's, rank, GPA and everything else. She did graduate in the top 10 (not %) but top ten students. She did get accepted to every college she applied and went to her top choice. I now have a H.S. senior son who gets excellent grades and has a great GPA but is not at the tipity top as his sister. He has many hobbies and a great job. He manages to be a "happy camper" without any stress. His SAT's (taken many times) are not stellar and the saying in our house is, " It is what it is"! Soooo, he's done with his applications. Been accepted into his safety school which is starting to become his top choice. We feel he has good range schools which he may be accepted to. He couldn't be happier. We say his sister may be SMARTER, but he is definitely WISER. :)</p>
<p>He really is enjoying life's journey the way is should be.</p>