February 24, 2026 (Tuesday) – Kaylyn Tu
As the last few weeks of summer break came to an end, my family and I decided to reunite on my dad's side of the family in Taiwan. As I stood up for a second serving during dinner, my grandma asked in the most casual tone, "Ling, have you decided on what you want to be in the future?”
A seemingly straightforward dinner-talk question was a common topic anyone could bring up during family reunions, but it was one that stuck with me since the arrival of this school year. It took me way too long to think of an answer before realizing the conversation had moved on without me. “What do I want to be when I grow up?" It really doesn't help that the older you get, the more inevitable the question seems to become. Especially as a transitioning student into high school, expectations skyrocket with parents whispering about Ivy League dreams, teachers piling on AP classes, and friends swapping stories of summer internships that sound way too grown-up. Then, before you know it, you’re already worrying about your CV, your extracurricular choices, and how they might raise your chances of getting into the best colleges.
Which raises another question: “Is it too soon to be finalizing a decision?”
Despite cultural differences, the pressure to define our future is a universal dilemma, and schools and families urge students to choose their career paths early, yet many of us are just not quite sure.
A survey showed that 90% of adults in the UK regret having rushed their career choices. The survey ranged in age from 21 to 65, polling over two thousand people. That's 9 of 10 people unhappy with their current situation. The survey connects the link between a rushed decision and the desirability of the outcome, highlighting the urge to sensitize the public’s mindset on this issue to prevent such regrets among teenagers now.
Separate studies reveal that a parent's income and education levels directly predict their children's career trajectories, with parents influencing their children to pursue fields with high financial outcomes. Parents’ guidance is a must, but cases of overboard interference show undesirable results in the long term. 87% of students reported experiencing high perceived parental pressure, while another systematic review of 52 studies found overwhelming evidence linking this pressure to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Students who experience academic burnout also face emotional exhaustion, detachment from learning, and increased dropout risk. They lose confidence in their ability to make their own decisions. And here lies the cruel irony: the more pressure parents apply, the worse the outcomes become.
Beneath South Korea’s “pride” in having one of the highest rates of successful grades in the world—with over 95% of students achieving high school graduation and top PISA scores in reading, math, and science—there’s a tragic facade that the nation tends to overlook.
A poll conducted amongst South Korean youth earlier this year revealed that more than 40 percent of respondents cited that the pressures of school and future uncertainty fuelled depression and suicidal thoughts. At the same time, the latest deaths represent a much bigger problem in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, which has, for the last eight years, held high rates in the world for suicides. Records show that in 2011, the suicide rate for people between the ages of 15 and 24 hit 13 deaths per 100,000, far exceeding the Netherlands' rate of around 3 per 100,000 for that age group.
Tragically, because of societal pressure— pressure of your potential and what you could do to be better than everyone else, to choose it over what you truly want in your life. Imagine ending it all just because you couldn't handle the expectations of the people you loved.
“But at what cost?”
Now, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel. You might be thinking, “If neither my parents nor society is choosing my path, do I have to?” And that’s the funny thing, because sometimes when you’re suddenly given all this freedom after years of guidance, you end up wondering whether your choices are valid.
Fortunately, Cal Newport tackles this question in his book, "So Good They Can’t Ignore You." He asks his readers one simple question: “In choosing a career path, what do you see yourself doing every day?” The book points out the aspect in one’s potential pursuits that most overlook. Because we focus on labels and what looks good, we tend to forget the day-to-day tasks that come with it, highlighting the stark contrast between status and personal interests. Overall, Newport brings out an important clarity that every human in pursuit should reflect upon at least once in their lifetime.
On a final note, despite the pressure behind every guardian, it’s ultimately fear and indescribable love that hold a child back. Despite the need for a degree of discipline, it should be known that once a boundary is repeatedly crossed, there’s a cost to pay.
This article here is to reassure any teenager out there—feeling helpless and guilty that they haven't made a choice—that despite a society’s inclination to tell them to be successful in life, everyone defines success differently. So be encouraged to paint your own path; the world’s your canvas.
Kaylyn Tu
