Academic validation could be defined as a form of acceptance that is brought on by a good grade, or a well done assignment. But, what does it look like at NPHS? More importantly, how is a student’s day affected by this sense of validation?

Eva Kratheim, a freshman at New Providence High School, agrees that she seeks this acceptance through academics. For her, this means that people expect her to achieve certain standards with her grades.

Kratheim talked about how there might be a sense of anxiety, or guilt that comes along when she does not meet her parents’ expectations:  “Then you feel like you let them down and depending, on how they make you feel about it, it can make you feel even worse.”

 Some people lose much needed sleep over projects, or assigned work. Kratheim made it clear that she is one of those people as well.

She explained what that looks like during the school week, especially with many things causing stress:  “I will not get much sleep because I’m thinking about [a grade or a test] during the night, and I’m worried if I studied enough.”

Ultimately, it is apparent that some students who seek academic validation are being affected not only by a lack of sleep, but sometimes they are being plagued by a diminished sense of self worth.