Compared to Japan, American children lead much more balanced lives. Or at least I hear. Japanese children are often pressured to study all the time because of difficult college exams, and thus lose out on all the other things life has to offer.Take me for example. I play sports, read, do community service, and next year, I plan to get involved in drama/theater. I used to play the ukulele and the piano. I get to hang out with my friends during school and on the weekends. I’ve had my fair share of relationships, good and bad. I’ve learned to talk to people. I believe these things are more important than sitting around in a library all day wasting away. So when I become an adult, I will be ready for the real life ahead of me.