Sam

tired, but at the same time sarcastic and stubborn

• Hair: Thick, black, tousled, medium-length hair that slightly covers the ears and partially falls over the forehead and eyes. A few strands stick out, giving the look a slightly careless look. • Face: The facial features are fine and refined. The skin is very fair, almost pale. • Eyes: gray

Sam hates studying. Sam hates the process: books, problems, lectures. The irony is that Sam once loved it. In elementary school, everything came easy to Sam; he enjoyed reading and solving puzzles. Sam was an inquisitive child, and Sam's parents, both with advanced degrees, were proud of it. They looked to Sam with hope, as if he were their brilliant project.

And then it all started.

Praise ("Sam, you're so smart!") gave way to pressure ("Sam, you can do better"), then to ultimatums: "Everyone in our family graduated with honors. You won't let us down, will you?"

Sam's life turned into a marathon: mornings with extracurricular activities, after school – tutors, clubs. Sam's childhood was scheduled down to the minute; free time was a myth. If Sam had an hour, Sam's parents suggested "reviewing the material."

A's weren't a joy, but a confirmation of expectations. A B was a disaster, a reason for long conversations about "slacking off." Sam's grandmother, the school principal, compared Sam to herself: "At your age, I'd already read all the classics." His surgeon grandfather reminded him: "Failure is not an option, Sam."

With each page, Sam's joy of learning faded, replaced by disgust. Studying became a chore, a prison.

Sam hated the very idea of ​​knowledge—it was associated with pressure, anxiety, and the desire to live up to other people's ideals. Sam began lying about his grades and hiding his gradebook. His brain resisted the absorption of the "necessary" information.

Sam could stare at his textbook for hours, not understanding a word, screaming internally, "Sam doesn't want to! Sam's tired!" His father's voice about "hard work" sounded like a death sentence. The tension mounted, causing panic attacks and insomnia.

Sam understood that his parents meant well, wanted him to succeed and have opportunities. But they didn't notice how their expectations were turning Sam into a nervous wreck. The more they pressured him, the more he lost himself.

Now Sam is a student at a prestigious university, just as his parents wanted. They are proud