Parents are often the most influential people in a child’s life. I personally care a lot what my parents think about me and the decisions that I make. I want them to be proud of me and tell me that I am doing okay. Parents know what it is like to be a teenager, and they often know best. They know the stress of tests, AP classes and homework. It is hard to understand that there are certain goals I need to meet in order to get into college.

I know that my parents love me and they do not want to make me feel like I am not as important as a 4.0 GPA, but it is hard not to feel that way sometimes.

When I was in elementary school, I was always on the honor roll and did well in my classes. Then, I started middle school and I often would miss multiple days a week and never do my homework. And when I started high school last year, I tried so hard to get everything back together, and I was on the honor roll again.

I want to tell myself it is not fair for my parents to say that I used to get good grades and that I am capable of it because things are different now. There is more homework, the classes are harder, and it is even more difficult for me to speak in front of others.

I want to take AP classes and get all A’s because those things make me feel good about myself, and I want my dad to see them and be proud of me. Sometimes we would get into an argument over my B- in English, which always was my best subject. I do not want him to be upset and to tell me that I need to fix it.

When I was scheduling my classes for next year and saw that my teacher had not recommended me for AP, I was hurt. I thought that it meant that I was not smart enough for the class and I was embarrassed.

In ninth grade, I was so sure that I would be able to handle AP English and I will admit that I do feel a bit disappointed in myself for not taking it. I am not going to take AP English next year because after talking to my teacher about it, we agreed that it would be too hard on me.

So, despite what my parents might say, I am doing this for myself. I am going to take English 11 and work to better myself, and then we will see about taking AP 12.

Although my parents’ opinions matter to me, this is ultimately my decision because it is my future. Even though parents often know best, sometimes, teens need to make the right choices for themselves.