The majority of teenagers, whether in high school or even younger, are always looking for entertainment, excitement and fun. In other words, they long to be whimsical, carefree and free from pressures from others around them. However, one issue that kids have had since elementary is still prominent: they are required to go to school.
There is a general consensus among students that school is not a place for fun. It is an environment that most kids dread being in due to the constant expectations from teachers, the workload they are required to complete and the overall dull interactions amongst peers. The repeated cycle of doing assignments in class, having to listen to teachers drone on in lectures, discussion questions with kids with whom you are barely acquainted and more. Beyond that, piles of work await at home that you have to finish or upcoming tests that need to be studied for.
This routine can begin to resemble a factory system, where a child is programmed to constantly work rather than have that playful and gentle spirit. FHS junior Celesti Macaraeg shared her thoughts on how academic pressure affects her ability to participate in certain creative activities.
“A lot of work or assignments are weighed very heavily, and maybe one misstep can mess up your grade,” Macaraeg said. “So people are always stuck in this cycle of studying constantly. You’re not allowed to do a lot of whimsical stuff or things that you want to do when you’re free.”
As these students grow older, they are often pushed away from embracing their natural childlike curiosity and sense of whimsy. There is an expectation that they should focus on more mature and serious topics, leaving little room to be carefree. School does not help with this, as it constrains students, urging them to prioritize productivity over creativity and play.
English literature is considered the most whimsical class out of the core subjects, because it allows for interpretation, creativity and personal expression. FHS junior Naomi Crespo Castruita shared her feelings on how engaging her classes are.
“This year, I feel like I have had a lot more freedom,” Castruita said. “[In] AmLit (American Literature) Honors from Ms. Fujii, she gives a lot of attention to our own individual thoughts and what we want to do by ourselves. But even last year, I felt like we never had any creative projects or creative writing. Especially as you go to AP [classes] and honors and higher levels, there’s less freedom and you just have to do one specific thing.”
Teachers should incorporate more autonomy and creative freedom into their curriculum in order not to take the joy away from learning and to keep children whimsical as they grow up. Additionally, students should not feel afraid to express themselves in ways that might be childish in fear of judgment from others. They should preserve the happiness and the curiosity people are all born with, whether it be through the activities we do, the clothes we wear or the words we speak. After all, many people still remain children at heart.
“Whimsy to me, the word sounds magical,” Castruita said. “It’s like something out of the normal, stepping out of those expectations.”
