As a high school student, every day there is an added-on weight to the hassle of reaching the finish line and walking across that graduation stage. Recently, the credit requirements for RichCentralHigh School was changed.

The previous graduation required that students achieve 23 total credits. The 2013-2014 school year, though, has seen the credit requirement dip to 22 credits.

These credits are the keys to students’ lives in college. However, is the requirement too much pressure on the students or just a way to breeze by?

Briana Holden, a senior, says of the new policy, “It’s decent. I have all the credits I need.”

Holden goes on to speculate, “I think that by the time first and second semester is over I will have all my credits.”

Holden points out, too, that students need to maintain their focus on graduation even from their first years: “If you couldn’t get your act together by freshman year, then you’re screwed.”

Some students participate in acts like skipping classes and not doing required coursework, and they should recognize that these choices may result in the loss of credits that could get them to where they need to be school wise.

However, not all students are making stupid mistakes which could ruin their high school career.

Junior Morghann Hughes is not one of those students. She points out, “I still have more credits to go, but as far as I know I’m on track to graduate with the needed credits”

Hughes continues by acknowledging about the credit requirement system, “I’d say that it’s pretty reasonable.”

However, she would not mind seeing it changed again. “I say they should decrease to about 18,” she states. “If the credit requirement was 18 I think it would be much more reasonable.”

If students keep their priorities straight, there should be nothing to worry about. Those students who don’t take care of their business will stay behind the competition and risk not reaching the credit requirement by their senior year.