Let me clear up right now that being a high school student is not hard at all. The media combined with our ignorant young minds teach it to be that way.

People say, “high school is the best time of your life.” Teens stress about school-related issues, but we have no idea how little those issues in our lives now matter. Once we’re older and have jobs and actual responsibilities, we will realize how easy this all was.

Almost every day a friend comes to me and complains about their most recent infatuation falling through. Although it is sad, contrary to popular belief, it is not the end of your world as you know it. Sure these relationships are important to find your identity and learn about yourself, but bad T.V. and lovey-dovey books have taught our innocent, impressionable minds that it is important to be totally and completely in love with the your current partner.

It is unfortunate the extent of emotional damage that occurs due to breakups, but relationships are only one of the many dumb reasons teens are too stressed. The issue of grades, homework, little money, and the need to have a perfect body and perfect looks are always on the mind of the average teen.

It would not be difficult to maintain your grades and keep the homework sweats at bay if you went out of your way to do it.

If you would get a job, you would have a reasonable amount of money to spend. This would also provide a learning experience on how to be more responsible and independent.

The worst thing that media has ever done is brainwash young women into believing that they aren’t perfect the way they are. No girl needs to be a Barbie to be attractive. All women are attractive and beautiful in very different and distinct ways, so I don’t know why they are trying to look more like other beautiful women.

We need to take a chill pill and enjoy these times that we’re going to miss when we’re older…once we have actual responsibilities and problems that matter.