Is all the work in high school worth it?

ucbalumnus
Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:52:15 +0000

However, the point some have made is to use one’s time and effort effectively.

Putting time and effort into getting top end grades, top end test scores, and an extracurricular that results in a high level of recognized achievement is generally considered worthwhile, as long as the student is not overwhelmed.

But some other uses of time and effort can be of dubious value (unless the student actually enjoys them a lot), or negative value if they reduce the time available for more worthwhile things, or things that the student would just rather do. For example:


Extracurriculars where one does not have much chance of a high level of recognized achievement (e.g. third-string bench player on a high school sports team that is the local league doormat).
Self-studying “AP lite” tests that are unlikely to give useful subject credit or placement in college.
Joining a lot of clubs that do not really do much.