The Overachiever

The noise level in the room was deafening. It seemed like everyone in this sea of upperclassmen was talking instead of learning. Only one student seemed to be working. Her pencil moved in time with her thoughts. She seemed oblivious to the chaos around her. Papers flew as assignments were finished, only a small demonstration of junior Bryce O’Tierney’s drive for academic success.

Such educational performances have been noticed by fellow juniors. “People consider me an overachiever,” O’Tierney said. No hint of shame or embarrassment plagued her statement. She was indifferent to the name.

Most students only dream of having such a title bestowed on them. It came naturally to O’Tierney. “I guess I’m just personally really motivated. I want to excel at all that I do. I couldn’t put myself to a lower standard,” she said.

Stress levels and work loads aren’t a problem. “I don’t think I’m a very stressed out person. I only do homework for about an hour and a half. I usually get a lot of it done at school.” A strong support system backs O’Tierney if she’s worried. “I have a twin, Maris. I talk to her [about problems].”

O’Tierney focuses on more than school. “I play violin. I’m in the Youth Symphony doing All-State. Violin is my main activity. I’m really passionate about it. I have symphony on Monday which is four hours and a lesson later in the week. It’s a lot of time for music, but it’s what I like to do.”

It may be hard to understand how O’Tierney does it all, but for her, it’s hard to understand why people don’t. “I don’t understand how people who aren’t doing any other activities wouldn’t do their homework if they have seven hours [of free time] when they get home. I have to maximize every portion of my day to fit everything in.”

Maybe living the overachiever life is easier than most people think. O’Tierney achieves high grades without breaking a sweat. Hard work, someone to talk to, and drive are key elements to her success.