A rigorous amount of homework awaits every student in the top ten of their class each night, but the potential rewards in the future make hard work the only plausible option.

An individual’s class rank is an accumulation of their weighted GPA from each semester and the updated numbers are released a few weeks after midterms and finals. Class rank can be a controversial conversation topic, as it sparks tension and brings out competitiveness. This encourages students to work even harder to improve their GPA, and therefore their number.

When junior Sarah Beatty was a freshman, she found her class rank in the top ten to be a confidence booster, but it ultimately created additional stress. “I don’t really think about rank that much anymore,” she said, “ as I try to focus on my personal grades this year, just because I don’t really think [class rank] it is that important.”

Colleges typically seek out well-rounded students, as they are the most likely to bring an abundance of knowledge in various categories to the school. Beatty is also involved in field hockey, track, and lacrosse. She is a member of jazz band, Leadership Academy, and helped the technical crew for the musical, “On the Town.”

Extracurriculars and athletics can help to relieve academic stress. Sophomore Wyndom Chace relies heavily on running after school at either cross country, indoor or outdoor track practice to eliminate stress from school.

Time management, however, just as the teachers, deans, and advisors suggested at every assembly, is actually the key to a successful student. Attacking school work with a plan enables Ben Sawyer, senior, to productively accomplish his work every night, along with listening to music. This year he was involved in cross country and senior jazz band.

Nevertheless, some form of procrastination is inevitable for all students in all grades, and leads to higher stress levels and late nights. Beatty “isn’t productive unless in a time crunch, which unfortunately means a lot more stress than necessary.”

Beatty is taking one AP class this year but plans on taking five next year. Despite protests from other students warning it is “crazy and too much of a workload,” she predicts that it will be manageably rigorous. “I’m very interested in the majority of the classes I’ve chosen, therefore I don’t think I’ll mind doing the work all that much – especially considering some of it will be artwork,” said Beatty. “Plus, I’m taking band again next year which is a great mental break during the school day.”

Selecting courses that appeal to one’s interests is highly suggested over enrolling in classes just to receive an AP credit to improve class rank. Sawyer strongly discourages taking classes for the sole purpose of your GPA. “I would say that it’s not entirely worth it,” he said. “I would recommend taking courses that will develop your academic interests. Don’t force yourself into a class that you’ll hate for the wrong reasons.”

Beatty also opposes choosing classes that you are not passionate about, as “it can make the work seem much harder and your grade may not be as good as usual, so the weight of the AP might cancel out with a lower grade.”

It is crucial not to let grades alone dominate your life. There are many potential categories crucial to college admissions, including SAT and ACT scores, rigor of classes, your college essay, athletics, and community service.

Sawyer applied to Dartmouth College, Northeastern University, Rice University, Georgia Tech, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of Denver. He plans on studying mechanical or computer engineering.

Neither Chace nor Beatty have specific colleges in mind yet, although their academic achievements will allow for an abundance of opportunities.

“I try not to let rank change who I am as a student,” said Chace, “although it is somewhat of a motivating factor. I make course decisions based on my interests and keep in mind that there’s more to me that colleges will see than a number.”

“I think that a higher class rank definitely won’t hurt my chances for college, but I also don’t think it will make much of a difference as they’ll probably be looking more at my grades and other activities instead. I’ve realized now that my rank is not who I am.”               – Sarah Beatty, junior