<p>^I don’t think I could be happy with 40k a year. Besides that, everyone compares themselves to those around them. It’s human nature, encourages ambition, and allows for proper development. Being completely unconcerned with how you match up with your peers is unhealthy. And “being true to yourself” is not antithetical to “comparing your success to everyone else’s.”</p>
<p>If I was alone living on 40k, I’d hate my life.
My parents make twice as much retired… probably more.</p>
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<p>That’s how I feel too. If you don’t give yourself a break every once in a while, you never have the time to let the “big ideas” in your classes or ECs percolate. I gave myself the weekend off last week to chill, and it was the best decision I’ve made all year. I realized how much stuff overlaps between my US History, Euro, Psych, and English classes, which means way less time analyzing my notes in a vacuum. I’ve also had time to read and chill with friends and my boyfriend, and my life is healthier and more balanced because of it. When you have things to focus on outside of school, it motivates you to get your work done faster and more intelligently.</p>
<p>And I think it’s more realistic to say you’d be perfectly happy with 200k a year instead of 999k, but 40k will require some pretty tight purse strings, especially if you have kids.</p>
<p>I’m not the typical CC smart, but I’m super nerdy.</p>
<p>it’s not possible to do all that and have a normal social life. i know because the val at my school is godlike and does less than some kids and never ever does anything. she doesnt get distracted ever. shes insane.
im pretty high up there too. i have somewhat of a social life, but its not really “normal” for a high school kid. schools been so busy lately, i havent had time to go out with friends (not counting study sessions) in the past few weekends.</p>