Comments on: Teens Doing Too Much? http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/ Dr. John Grohol's daily update on all things in psychology and mental health. Since 1999. Sat, 26 May 2012 02:27:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: Brittany http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-729473 Brittany Wed, 09 May 2012 13:05:24 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-729473 For me I have actually experienced both sides of this. I used to play sports all year my first 2 years of high school and i feel like my grades were alot better then. Now that I dont play sports all year I think that it has caused me to have too much free time and my grades to slip. I do however believe that it depends on the person that you are dealing with. For me I have actually experienced both sides of this. I used to play sports all year my first 2 years of high school and i feel like my grades were alot better then. Now that I dont play sports all year I think that it has caused me to have too much free time and my grades to slip. I do however believe that it depends on the person that you are dealing with.

]]> By: Alexandra http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-725522 Alexandra Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:21:18 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-725522 Avoiding stress definitely makes everything much easier. Stress is like a demon trying to destroy you! Seriously, nothing good comes out of it. Avoiding stress definitely makes everything much easier. Stress is like a demon trying to destroy you! Seriously, nothing good comes out of it.

]]> By: Alexandra http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-725521 Alexandra Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:18:48 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-725521 I agree, I think parents should let their child do whatever they love and want to do. I agree, I think parents should let their child do whatever they love and want to do.

]]> By: Alexandra http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-725520 Alexandra Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:15:30 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-725520 I don't think that parents should ever pressure their kids, but they do want the absolute best for them. They want their kids to be the best they can be. I'm a senior I wake up at 7:30 school starts at 8:20 and it ends at 3:20. Then, I usually go home and clean or do things that need to be done and working on what I am going to do with my future. Then later on in the day I head to the YMCA to workout and release some tension. So I don't have a very busy work scheduled like some people who cheer lead for 3 hours after school then go to softball practice for 2 hours then they have a school play practice or something, but I do have a busy head, and a lot of things I think and worry about. Like how I'm going to get a job, where I'm going to college, what do i wanna do in life, friends, my parents, all kinds of things, it's tough being a teen and yes it defiantly is stressful but it's okay, it will get better and better and better. I try not to let stress get to me because if I do I blow up and I do not like that person, so i don't let it harm me. God has plans for all of us and I have faith. I don’t think that parents should ever pressure their kids, but they do want the absolute best for them. They want their kids to be the best they can be. I’m a senior I wake up at 7:30 school starts at 8:20 and it ends at 3:20. Then, I usually go home and clean or do things that need to be done and working on what I am going to do with my future. Then later on in the day I head to the YMCA to workout and release some tension. So I don’t have a very busy work scheduled like some people who cheer lead for 3 hours after school then go to softball practice for 2 hours then they have a school play practice or something, but I do have a busy head, and a lot of things I think and worry about. Like how I’m going to get a job, where I’m going to college, what do i wanna do in life, friends, my parents, all kinds of things, it’s tough being a teen and yes it defiantly is stressful but it’s okay, it will get better and better and better. I try not to let stress get to me because if I do I blow up and I do not like that person, so i don’t let it harm me. God has plans for all of us and I have faith.

]]> By: Alex http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-721603 Alex Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:11:34 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-721603 Thanks, it really heplped me with my school project in psycologie :) Thanks, it really heplped me with my school project in psycologie :)

]]> By: Katie http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-713149 Katie Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:47:44 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-713149 I am sixteen years old and I am involved in up to 25 hours of musical commitment a week. I agree that children shouldn't be pushed into many activities at a young age but I think they should be encouraged by their parents to take up an instrument - I started music at age twelve so I'm very far behind my peers and I know my greatest regret will always be not starting sooner. If only my parents had pushed me that little bit further with music, I could have done so much better in life... I am sixteen years old and I am involved in up to 25 hours of musical commitment a week. I agree that children shouldn’t be pushed into many activities at a young age but I think they should be encouraged by their parents to take up an instrument – I started music at age twelve so I’m very far behind my peers and I know my greatest regret will always be not starting sooner. If only my parents had pushed me that little bit further with music, I could have done so much better in life…

]]> By: Emily http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-711241 Emily Sat, 21 May 2011 20:10:39 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-711241 Maintaing a 4.9 GPA, playing varsity lacrosse, being top 7 in both track and cross country, maintaining a part time job, 1st in my class, french club(president), art club(VP), HOSA(VP), National Honors Society(President)is difficult to maintain but I am proud to say that I do it to please myself, not anyone around me. I do all these things to see what I can achieve, to see what I am capable in doing. I am happy with everything that I am doing and would nto trade it for anything. Maintaing a 4.9 GPA, playing varsity lacrosse, being top 7 in both track and cross country, maintaining a part time job, 1st in my class, french club(president), art club(VP), HOSA(VP), National Honors Society(President)is difficult to maintain but I am proud to say that I do it to please myself, not anyone around me. I do all these things to see what I can achieve, to see what I am capable in doing. I am happy with everything that I am doing and would nto trade it for anything.

]]> By: Keisha http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-710513 Keisha Fri, 13 May 2011 21:57:25 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-710513 Yes!! I feel teenagers today are doing way to much to either impress their parents or impress society. My GPA as a senior in high school is over a 4.4 and yes i worked hard doing just about everything to get into college. This includes sports, clubs, community service, and late nights of overachieving homework. I don't think I did it to impress my parents, more like society who demands the most intellectual and smartest individuals. Hard work does pay off though but I still believe some parents show back off on scheduling events for their children. I have seen and observed many kids, who were those that competed with me for awards and honors stress out over the fact of disappointing their parents. It shouldn't be like that...The teen should be a teen and learn how to be successful on their own..much like I did Yes!! I feel teenagers today are doing way to much to either impress their parents or impress society. My GPA as a senior in high school is over a 4.4 and yes i worked hard doing just about everything to get into college. This includes sports, clubs, community service, and late nights of overachieving homework. I don’t think I did it to impress my parents, more like society who demands the most intellectual and smartest individuals. Hard work does pay off though but I still believe some parents show back off on scheduling events for their children. I have seen and observed many kids, who were those that competed with me for awards and honors stress out over the fact of disappointing their parents. It shouldn’t be like that…The teen should be a teen and learn how to be successful on their own..much like I did

]]> By: Leigh http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-710430 Leigh Thu, 12 May 2011 21:02:43 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-710430 I'm a teen as well and I have a very busy schedule. I have honors classes, a fifth block, soccer, yearbook (editor), HOSA (vice president), chorus, and not to mention trying to keep up with friends and family. My GPA is a 4.14. I’m a teen as well and I have a very busy schedule. I have honors classes, a fifth block, soccer, yearbook (editor), HOSA (vice president), chorus, and not to mention trying to keep up with friends and family. My GPA is a 4.14.

]]> By: Ellie http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-666707 Ellie Sun, 08 Aug 2010 03:26:23 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-666707 I'm a rising senior in high school. Largely I agree with this article, but it is those of us who like me are in the top of their class who suffer the most. I was smart. I knew my 3 AP classes this past year would take up inordinate amounts of my time, so I didn't sign up for very many extracurriculars. I volunteered at the local library to fulfill hours for school, was active in my school's German club (I designed the t-shirt, for one thing), and joined the art honor society. I also was a marshal in this year's graduation, making for hours of practices near the end of the school year, luckily after AP testing was over. However, just the amount of work I was getting from my classes was taking up inordinate amounts of time every night, with extensive "reading logs" for 30-some page chapters in US History, essays, online Latin homework, German translations and essays, research papers (yes, plural - there were two. I checked out 5 books from the library for the first one and 8 for the second one. Both of them were longer than 10 pages.), other reading assignments, Precalculus homework (usually 15-20 problems a night, but I don't think our teacher realized how time consuming some of the problems were...and I'm good at math!), and periodic major projects for AP Environmental Science. So just because a kid isn't involved in that many different things doesn't mean they didn't over-schedule themselves, especially if they're trying to overcome the usual social issues of high school: relationships, lost friendships, and family matters. I’m a rising senior in high school. Largely I agree with this article, but it is those of us who like me are in the top of their class who suffer the most. I was smart. I knew my 3 AP classes this past year would take up inordinate amounts of my time, so I didn’t sign up for very many extracurriculars. I volunteered at the local library to fulfill hours for school, was active in my school’s German club (I designed the t-shirt, for one thing), and joined the art honor society. I also was a marshal in this year’s graduation, making for hours of practices near the end of the school year, luckily after AP testing was over. However, just the amount of work I was getting from my classes was taking up inordinate amounts of time every night, with extensive “reading logs” for 30-some page chapters in US History, essays, online Latin homework, German translations and essays, research papers (yes, plural – there were two. I checked out 5 books from the library for the first one and 8 for the second one. Both of them were longer than 10 pages.), other reading assignments, Precalculus homework (usually 15-20 problems a night, but I don’t think our teacher realized how time consuming some of the problems were…and I’m good at math!), and periodic major projects for AP Environmental Science. So just because a kid isn’t involved in that many different things doesn’t mean they didn’t over-schedule themselves, especially if they’re trying to overcome the usual social issues of high school: relationships, lost friendships, and family matters.

]]> By: Irene http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-666034 Irene Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:28:38 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-666034 I'm a rising senior in high school ready to apply for colleges... talk about stress. The thing is, even if we or our parents don't want to do so much and over-load, it's hard not too. Because everyone else is going above and beyond, doing everything, and excelling in everything, in order to be able to compete with them to get into a somewhat decent college, you have to cram yourself and work hard as well.... Of course you can chose not to do that much, but seeing everyone else work hard towards their goals and busying themselves day and night, you feel bad, and think "everyone else can work that hard, why can't I?" ...and by "you" I mean "I". I’m a rising senior in high school ready to apply for colleges… talk about stress.
The thing is, even if we or our parents don’t want to do so much and over-load, it’s hard not too. Because everyone else is going above and beyond, doing everything, and excelling in everything, in order to be able to compete with them to get into a somewhat decent college, you have to cram yourself and work hard as well….
Of course you can chose not to do that much, but seeing everyone else work hard towards their goals and busying themselves day and night, you feel bad, and think “everyone else can work that hard, why can’t I?”

…and by “you” I mean “I”.

]]> By: Sam http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-658729 Sam Tue, 25 May 2010 18:49:58 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-658729 Clearly, I agree that parents should not put pressure on their children to do as many activities as they possibly can. I, myself persue the subjects I have interest in simply because I want to, I would hate it if my parents had to tell me what to do and that I had no choice in the matter. Looking forward to doing things is what makes people happy and being told by your parents to do activites would not produce that reaction. Also, I understand that these parents want the best for their children and want them to explore all opportunities they missed in their childhood, but it is causing their children to feel stressed. Clearly, I agree that parents should not put pressure on their children to do as many activities as they possibly can. I, myself persue the subjects I have interest in simply because I want to, I would hate it if my parents had to tell me what to do and that I had no choice in the matter. Looking forward to doing things is what makes people happy and being told by your parents to do activites would not produce that reaction. Also, I understand that these parents want the best for their children and want them to explore all opportunities they missed in their childhood, but it is causing their children to feel stressed.

]]> By: Sam http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-658726 Sam Tue, 25 May 2010 18:40:34 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-658726 Dear Brittanie and Maegan!, the author of this article is aware that teens are capable of doing all of these activities; the question, however, is if you are happy or not. I can't imagine that always having to be somewhere or be doing something can relax someone. Both of your schedules sound extremely stressful. Dear Brittanie and Maegan!, the author of this article is aware that teens are capable of doing all of these activities; the question, however, is if you are happy or not. I can’t imagine that always having to be somewhere or be doing something can relax someone. Both of your schedules sound extremely stressful.

]]> By: stephanie nicole http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-658413 stephanie nicole Sun, 23 May 2010 21:57:56 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-658413 i agree that parents shouldn't pressure thier kids in doing so many extracarricular activities. Let them do what they enjoy, whether its one hobby or 5, they will be able to manage thier time because they enjoy doing it. Organizing time is something very important in order to avoid stress. I know from experience that it is wise to manage time to make things easier. i agree that parents shouldn’t pressure thier kids in doing so many extracarricular activities. Let them do what they enjoy, whether its one hobby or 5, they will be able to manage thier time because they enjoy doing it. Organizing time is something very important in order to avoid stress. I know from experience that it is wise to manage time to make things easier.

]]> By: Tara http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/07/18/teens-doing-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-658216 Tara Sun, 23 May 2010 04:05:02 +0000 http://psychcentral.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-658216 I do believe that you shouldn’t pressure you child to do anything. Yet, if they want to do a lot, let them. It is not undoable to do many activities and actually it can end up being beneficial. It is a lot better than your child staying at home bored all the time. When they are a part of something it makes them feel better about themselves even if they don’t excel at it. I do believe that you shouldn’t pressure you child to do anything. Yet, if they want to do a lot, let them. It is not undoable to do many activities and actually it can end up being beneficial. It is a lot better than your child staying at home bored all the time. When they are a part of something it makes them feel better about themselves even if they don’t excel at it.

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