The Overachiever Post #2

My opinion of my book at this point is that the book is interesting. The book tracks a few students in high school and a college freshman. As the reader, I receive a summary of their day to day lives in segments. The book clearly exceeds my expectations. When I chose this book, I expected the typical non-fiction book with basically a list of facts. By this book tracking these students, it provides alternate as well as realistic views to supported the presented facts. I agree with the authors reasoning. The author claims that overachieving isn't necessary and can have negative effects on a persons health. This is the point that lead me to agree with the author. It can even be seen at Cherry Hill East, students will work themselves up over projects and tests. I can personally say this happens because everybody is their own worst enemy. I have become sick due to stressing out over schoolwork.
I am unable to see flaws in the authors strategy because with the factual evidence, the reader receives real life examples through the students the author followed.

I have learned how cutthroat the process by which some places in America and all over the world, specifically Asia, that if children don't display certain abilities (instrumental, etc.) by a certain age, they may not be admitted into a pre-school. In Japan, a mother strangled her neighbor's 2 year old daughter who had beat her own child out for a spot in a prestigious pre-school. These events also occur in America. This quote takes place at an admissions session for a pre-school in New York. "(p.168)the real danger is a perfectly wonderful child will not be accepted to any schools. ..." This shows that there are only so many independent schools that in the number of students that apply, some of the brightest may not make the cut. If and admission's officer has to pick between the extremely bright child or the child of an alumni, then the bright child will not win the spot due to the support the school receives.

"It's one thing for a child to be what's called a 'normal perfectionist,' someone who strives to excel but accepts personal limitations. When children are routinely judged by their achievements, however, they can become 'neurotic perfectionists.' These are the perfectionists who chastise themselves over mistakes, who obsess over the lone A-minus on an otherwise straight-A report card, who come to adopt the attitude that if they aren't perfect then they are below average. ..."(p.264)
This passage is very interesting it is true. There are students such as many of the students followed in this book, who will work themselves into a hysterical frenzy over assignments and grades. They will feel dejected and act as if the world is ending if they get one bad grade, treating it as an "eyesore" among high marks. The normal perfectionist is just a person who wants to do their best, and is able to realize when they have to walk away from a task. I believe that there is no need to work yourself up over assignments, sometimes there are limits you are unable to surpass. When that point is reached, you must accept that your have reached the zenith of your potential.

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http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/extracurriculars/150225.html