A reasoning conscience shadows behind life's journey for a high school dropout. The story seldom begins with a lackluster attitude, but often concludes with the birth of a new statistic. As this silent crisis flourishes throughout the education systems of America, judgmental thoughts continue to increasingly pierce the motives of students. With constant pressures from parents, teachers, and peers, finding a remedy for an unmotivated teenager's negativity can lead to confusing burdens and sunken spirits.
Oftentimes, teenagers live with internal oppressions that aren't exposed until the arising of consequences. What happens when their feelings aren't acknowledged, and their quiet cries fail to be heard? Does anybody acquire an ear to hear unspoken words? Statistical information suggests that students' placement on the high school social spectrum severely affects their decisions. Living a mundane life Monday through Friday can potentially cause one's mentality to dive into a lackadaisical coma. Walking through crowded marble halls while feeling neglected and rejected won't lead to positive results. The first step to changing one's situation starts with their thought process. True happiness isn't developed through exterior elements, but rather found in the inner core of oneself. Therefore, despite the adversity they may face, happiness will still be obtained because it lives within. Life's key factors revolve around reaching complete equilibrium. Having a balanced lifestyle is prime in maximizing one's potential. According to my observations, the most successful people prioritize their schedules. This is where teenagers often deviate from the path that leads to a prosperous high school career. Weekend parties, sales at local malls, and movie dates are always fun -- when your work is finished. Coming home to mountainous loads of homework equates with stress, sleep deprivation, and unsettled dispositions. A mental overload expeditiously burns the midnight oil and leaves one's motivation to drown. If we can abide by the "work hard, play hard" rule, our high school dropout rate would have a chance at being dormant. Studying an extra 15 minutes on the AP Biology quiz is better than falling asleep in class due to late nights on the town.
On the contrary, what happens when the student does study for the extra 15 minutes to no avail? What happens when their 85 percent on the test is trampled by the parents' expectations? Their happiness becomes marred, and their success rate dwindles. Oftentimes, failing to surpass the expectancy of parents leaves one's emotions in a bind laced with chains of uncertainty, diminished self-worth, and loss of pride. More than likely, a listless attitude will be adopted, all emotions will be put to rest, and beneficial rewards will not be reaped.
Society fits those who lack prosperous qualities into a generalized mold. It develops into a stagnant pool of individuals who can't pursue their goals due to the incompletion of work during the years of teenage youth. This is why completing high school needs to be strenuously embedded into the thoughts of teenagers. Although progress is being made, albeit rather slowly, the root of the problem still lies deep within the mindset of troubled teens.
Therefore, I challenge you to exude warm words of wisdom, and work to rebuild a strong foundation in which America's education system governs on. In order to save multitudes of potential dropouts, and suppress this event from occurring, we must regenerate the willpower of those who have lost hope. Uneasy hearts weigh the most, but there is nothing that good guidance can't cure. Here is where our journey begins. Decrease the rate, improve one's fate, and above all, make a change.
For further information regarding high school dropouts, please visit www.boostup.org.