As a high school student, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is just how much stress we go through, especially from school. If you care a lot about your future, it can be hard to step back and focus on the bigger picture.

People are talking about reaching higher goals everywhere you turn. You see advertisements on YouTube or TikTok about getting into UC or Ivy League universities. If things aren’t always flawless, it’s easy to feel like you’re lagging behind, even though those goals are definitely important, at least in my opinion. It can be challenging to deal with the constant stress. But the reality is that perfection is not vital. Even if the outcome isn’t exactly what you were hoping for, it’s important to do your hardest and sometimes you simply have to give yourself some credit for making the attempt.

I’ve come to the conclusion that taking care of your mental health actually gives you more energy for the things that are truly important to you. No matter how hard you try, it won’t feel like enough if you’re constantly stressed. Mental health is important because while it is about feeling better you can see the difference in your actions and will help you do better. 

I’ve also seen that we frequently measure ourselves against others. It’s easy to compare ourselves with others because of their accomplishments, grades, or level of “natural talent.”  But you can get messed up by this type of thinking. It is unlikely that you can’t achieve the same success as someone else. Concentrate on yourself and ask these questions instead of comparing yourself to others. 

What are my strengths?

What can I work on?

What truly brings me joy?

By considering these questions, you can avoid chasing other people’s definitions of success and instead discover what is truly important to you. We can become so caught up in everyday challenges that we forget to pause and think about what is truly important to us.  What would you like to spend time on? What truly brings you fulfillment and happiness? Students are not the only ones who have to do this; any person of any profession should try to start thinking like this. 

At the end of the day, life is all about balance. Yes, school is important. Yes, working hard is how you reach your goals. But your mental health and happiness matter just as much, maybe even more. When you take care of yourself, you don’t just feel better, you actually do better too.

So let’s remind ourselves to slow down, breathe, and focus on what really matters. Success isn’t just about the results. It’s also about how you feel while getting there.