As I finish my last year of high school, I realize there are so many expectations put on us throughout our time here.
From getting your license as soon as possible to planning out the rest of your life, teens are stuck in a strict timeline, feeling like if they don’t have everything done “in time,” they’re falling behind.
While these guidelines can be helpful, they should only be seen as that, not strict boundaries to abide by.
Every individual is different. We all have different circumstances, and our minds work in different ways. Therefore, time is relative, and everyone shouldn’t be expected to do exactly what everyone their age is doing.
Of course, it is beneficial to have certain things planned out, or at least a vague idea of what the future can hold, but these ideas are made out to be concrete when really they should be seen as flexible.
I, for one, was so positive I would be attending IU Indianapolis in August. This was my plan throughout my entire high school career until I decided a few months ago that I wanted
to live
on a college campus and get the full college experience. This is when I decided Ball State was the better option for me.
Deciding what college to attend isn’t the only thing people expected of early on. Many kids our age are pushed to meet various milestones, but often they aren’t possible for many teens.
Many people have the experience of being asked, “when are you going to get a job?” or, “why don’t you have your license yet?”, but there are so many variables that could lead to the decision to take it slow.
We are expected to do so much, but financial barriers or stress factors are just a couple of reasons why teens may “fall short” compared to their peers.
Not only this, but the constant pressure to do everything at once can cause many people to burn out and no longer have the drive to be all they’re expected of.
I have the privilege to drive, suddenly decide to change which college I plan on attending and even major in something I’m passionate about, all things that not everyone is able to do.
While I may be biting at the bit to start college, others may be anxious, taking a gap year or even not going at all, and that doesn’t make me better than anyone else only because I’m taking the path expected of me.
This applies to so many other things, not just accomplishment-wise, but also relationship-wise or maturity-wise.
The point is, everyone is different, and everyone is on their own journey. We shouldn’t all be expected to have the same priorities as those around us, no matter someone’s age. You aren’t a late bloomer, you’re just living at your own pace.
