DR. WALLACE: I'm a very good student. I'm in the 12th grade and I've been on the honor roll in high school. My only little weakness is math. I'm an A student in every other class, but try as I might, I'm only a B student in math. In every math class I've ever taken (algebra, geometry and trigonometry) I always wind up with a B. My parents can't understand my weakness in math because they were math geniuses when they were in school. Ever since school started this year they have been reminding me to concentrate more on calculus because they are expecting an A.

Instead of praising me for all my A's, they keep moaning about my B's in math. I guess they are disappointed that I won't be valedictorian. All of this pressure has caused me to be terribly frustrated. I've asked them to back off, but they keep pressuring me to do better in math. I feel that I'm already doing the best that I can. Please tell me how to get them off my back. — Misa, Seattle, Wash.

MISA: I'm sure your parents mean well, and are trying to motivate you to excel in math, but they are unwittingly putting unnecessary pressure on you. I'm sure they are proud of your academic achievements, but are negligent in not sharing this pride with you.

Continue to do your best not to let this pressure get to you. You know you are doing your very best in math and that is most important.

Many times parents will realize the mistake they are making when a teacher or counselor enlightens them. Talk with your counselor and ask for a parent conference to put things into perspective.

You are a terrific student. Keep up the good work!

OUR RESTROOMS ARE JAMMED WITH SMOKERS

DR. WALLACE: Everybody should know that smoking is harmful to your health. Why then do so many teens smoke? You can hardly use our restrooms between classes and during lunch break because they are jammed with smokers. — Rosa, Somewhere in Texas.

ROSA: Apparently one of the main reasons is ignorance. According to a report put out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only 49 percent of teens participating in a national survey thought smoking a pack or more of cigarettes a day would cause physical harm. In contrast, 64 percent of the general population said doing so would be harmful.

Why are so many teens so lax on this issue? I blame it on the belief that smoking brings sophistication and maturity, combined with teens' propensity to think they're invincible.

That's why tobacco companies spend millions of dollars "encouraging" teens to light up. Their campaign aimed at young adults has proven successful. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 3,000 teens light up for the first time every day.

I must add that I'm surprised your school hasn't made the restrooms smoke-free. There's no excuse for this; it can and should be done. It might be time to launch a parent-student campaign to demand that the school administrators act responsibly and eliminate smoking on your campus.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.