Living The Harvard Life

MILTON, CONNECTICUT, is a town with a super achieving high school, academically. Many of the graduates head off to higher education at elite institutions, places like Harvard, Duke, U Conn. The problem is, the stress level among the student body is thirty percent, instead of the seven percent national average. A definite indication of success, achievement, and the good old fashioned American work ethic run amok, with a healthy does of social status and competition thrown in. Everybody in the building is aware of the stress problem; its the topic of much discussion. everybody agrees taht something should be done. The question is: what? The kids love to learn. they love to achieve, and compete. Maybe a quick reminder or two would help. The first reminder is to not obsess about, and indeed to not evern care about money. The money will be there, in due time. Focus on valuable, memorable experiences, and relationships, and learning. Learning is fun, forst and foremost, and having knowledge enriches one's thoughts and perceptions. Grades and awards are not to be worried about. All that will come with effort, which is its own reward. Milton High School does not need to start from scratch, and do everything differently. A few minor adjustments will do, designed to reduce stress, and enhance fun. At Harvard, they limit the number of semester hours a student can take, and they require all students to try a little bit of everything, to be well rounded, even in areas where oen 's talents do not lie, including athletics and art. There is more to education than success. There is fulfillment. At Harvard, they tell you to party some, and they tell you how to do it intelligently, so that it enhances, rather than hinders, one's advancement. The successful Harvard lifestyle means love of learning, love of life, and service to others. What more could anyone possibly need for stress free happiness?