In 2006, Alexandra Robbins’ book, "The Overachievers," explored the intense pressures faced by high school students during the competitive college admissions process. Set against the backdrop of changing educational policies, such as the No Child Left Behind Act, it highlighted the mental health struggles of students at Walt Whitman High School, revealing the detrimental effects of excessive ambition and societal expectations. Robbins noted that over 50% of teenagers reported feeling stressed, underlining the rising anxiety surrounding admissions to elite schools during that era.
"The obsession over name-brand schools is the most frenzied it has ever been," Robbins wrote, citing a survey where over half of American teens felt constantly stressed.
In an affluent D.C. suburb like Bethesda, the pressure to excel in academics was not only common but also a source of pride, contributing to significant stress.
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