Young, Successful, and Worry Free

"Try-hard". "Teacher's pet". "Honor's student". These labels are given to the kids who put forth an effort in school. But never once is the label "cool" used. And why's that? It's because getting good grades isn't always perceived as a "cool" thing by our peers. Some would say high school is the time to have fun before the "real world", so teens drink 'til they pass out and smoke 'til they're high... because that's what's cool. Some have defended their life style with the honorable lyrics of WIZ KHALIFA: "So what we get drunk, so what we smoke weed. We're just having fun, we don't care who sees. So what we go out, that's how it's supposed to be. Living young and wild and free." Sounds like loads of fun. NOT. Teenagers look to these celebrities as their role models... maybe if good grades were as glorified as partying is, being a "try-hard" would be something to strive for. But what if the lyrics read, "So what we get As, so what we try hard. We're just preparing ourselves, we care what colleges see. So what we do homework, that's how it's supposed to be. Living young, successful and worry free"? Is that enough to consider getting good grades cool?

Some consider it cool to be prepared for college. Our high school years are the building blocks for our transition into college. Some kids party every weekend in an effort to equip themselves for the college experience they dream of. In reality, they will never make it through their freshman year of college that way. So why not take a few advanced classes or even few college credit courses in high school? Teens that put forth effort in high school are far more likely to succeed in college. On top of that, think of the scholarships available for high grades? Colleges reward effort... they want students who will represent their school in the best way possible. Show the college of your dreams that you're hard work is worth a scholarship because just like high school, college is the final block before the rest of your life. Maybe being a "try-hard" isn't such a bad thing when it'll only improve life later on.

Some consider it cool to challenge their selves. Sure, senior year would be wonderful if it's packed full of blow-off classes, but what's the point if there is no learning? Yet everyday people challenge themselves to be the best looking, to have the coolest items, to be the prized MVP. Yet, where's the big competition for grades? See, our society is all about winning. Life is a game; everyone is striving to be the best. Think about the last time you "won" something you worked so hard for... remember the feeling of pure happiness you received? Now apply that to school. Challenge yourself to make the best grades possible, but do it for yourself. Don't hold back success because it's not "cool" because most likely, people will notice. They will look up to you because you prevailed, you WON.

Some consider it cool to be rewarded for doing a great job. Rewards aren't always gifts though, they can also be a feeling of pride or accomplishment. Just imagine the joy of walking across the stage wearing a medal or being a part of the highly honored, Cum Laude system. PURE BLISS. Start simple, turn in missing assignments or study longer for test... in the end, your grades will improve. When the next report card is sent home, make a deal. Find a "prize" for each A received or just do it because of how good success feels. Success isn't a set list of achievements, so make your own and start working. That new report card will not only provide a sense of accomplishment, but it could also lower car insurance prices. Some insurance companies discount around 20% for good grades! Call that an incentive. With all of that money saved, it can be put away for college or fund a fabulous shopping spree. In a way, it's almost like being paid for getting that awesome report card. By the end of high school, after the caps are tossed into the air... think about the gifts waiting. Some families often reward hard work in high school with a new car, a computer, or a handful of cash. Use these incentives to push past the limits that society has set; make it "cool" to get good grades.

So what do you consider "cool"? Remember that making good grades in school is admirable and will open up so many opportunities in life. "So what we get As, so what we try hard. We're just preparing ourselves, we care what colleges see. So what we do homework, that's how it's supposed to be. Living young, successful and worry free." Remember these lyrics, live by them. Hopefully one day, we'll all be singing them... because trying hard in school is COOL.