The label far more coveted by teenagers than any nutrition facts on a cereal box or soup label on a soup can is the label “cool.” Now, what is this alleged “cool” that these teens yearn to have stamped on their varsity jackets?
“cool; informal- fashionably attractive or impressive. “I always wore sunglasses to look cool”
synonyms: fashionable, stylish, chic, up-to-the-minute, sophisticated.”
Though the actual definition of “cool” means something along the lines of impressing others, what will impress others if they don’t know what “cool” is themselves? It’s like a vicious cycle, and students have this idea implanted into their brains at a young age. Everyone wants to be “cool,” but how do they do it? In this day and age, kids have the wrong idea. Amongst the common fear of losing their “coolness” factor, students often times lose themselves.
Studies show that teenagers follow each other and the “social norm” not because they can’t think for themselves, but because their adolescent brains crave social acceptance in any way they can get it. It’s an addiction, and kids just keep feeding it. How do they feed it? By avoiding things considered “uncool” by their peers to try and fit in. Things such as school plays, Chess Club, Yearbook Club, getting good grades; anything not sports-related is widely considered “uncool”. Why? There really is no real reason, it is just a common opinion that has been around since our parents and grandparents were in high school, and quite frankly it is absurd. It’s not “uncool” if you are doing something you love, and it is NEVER “uncool” to want to be successful and do well in school. Who decided that it was??
It isn’t right for students, or anyone really, to not pursue something that they love to achieve something so ridiculous as being thought of as “cool” by other classmates, co-workers, etc. Nobody should feel that they have to live up to that expectation. Giving up or missing out on something that would be a fantastic opportunity because it seems “uncool” is “uncool” in itself. You want to join Chess Club? Join it! School play? No one is stopping you! Want to work hard to get good grades? Go for it! Although it may seem like it’s a huge deal to fit in, it is still “cool” if you have a lead in the school play, or are Chess Club team captain, or made Honor Roll every marking period.
It’s plain and simple. Although the proven definition of “cool” goes along with the idea of being fashionably attractive and impressive, what’s really “cool” is doing what you love and being yourself.
