On Nov. 29, students and parents came together at the Mitchell Park Community Center to discuss the academic pressure that high school students face today.

The Palo Alto Youth Council, a group of teens that represent four local high schools, hosted the seminar entitled “Under Pressure? It’s Time to Talk.” The City of Palo Alto Recreation Department and Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) helped sponsor the event.

Philippe Rey, Executive Director of ACS and keynote speaker for the event, began by giving a speech about the technological and societal factors that contribute to academic pressure. Rey attributed student stress in part to changes in family structure and recent technological advances like iPods and the Internet. These issues contribute to the psychological and physical isolation many adolescents feel, further compounding the problem.

To alleviate academic pressure Rey recommended that students and parents work together to increase communication. Rey also asked a pointed question to the parents in the audience. “Is it your need or your child’s need to be successful in everything they attempt?” Rey emphasized that parents often push their own aspirations on their children, which can cause the student undue stress. “It’s okay if your kid doesn’t go to Harvard,” he said.

Parents and counselors broke into groups and talked about how parents and students should discuss the child’s school day. “My parents always go ‘How was that test?’ but I’d rather hear ‘What did you learn today?’” junior Youth Council member Molly Kawahata said.

Pam Fortune, parent of a Paly junior, found it useful to hear the opinions of other teenagers besides her son. “I think I got some insight into what [students] are thinking: what they do and don’t want to hear,” she said. Fortune said that as a result of the seminar, she would approach her son differently when she speaks to him about his day at school.

Kim Parker, the staff advisor to the Youth Council, concluded the seminar with a brief speech. “Tonight was just meant to be the beginning of a dialogue,” she said. “Our hope is that you can go home and continue the conversation.”