Q    What does it feel like to be President?

THE PRESIDENT:  What does it feel like to be the President? You know, some days -- some days you're burdened by some really tough decisions.  Some of you may have family members who are in Afghanistan, for example.  And I'm the Commander-in-Chief, and so I'm responsible for sending those young men and women over, who are doing an amazing job.  Some of them get hurt.  Some of them get killed.  And so you feel a responsibility that is profound¹ about making that decision.  Even though you think it’s the best thing to do for the country, it’s one that carries an unbelievable cost.

There are days where you feel really excited because something that you got done you know is helping² somebody.  So when we passed the health care bill that we passed -- and it was controversial（有争议的） .  It was a lot of work.  It was -- and some people still don't like it.  But I would get letters from people who said, my kid couldn't get insurance before and now I feel secure because they’re able to get health insurance so that when they get sick they’re able to get health care.  So that makes you feel good.

Every day I feel proud and privileged to have the chance to work in this office.  But I'll be honest with you.  There are certain parts of the job that are kind of tough, like I'm kind of in this bubble.  I can't go anywhere, I can't just -- if I want to just go to the corner drugstore and buy some shaving cream or something -- (laughter) -- or if I just feel like taking a walk with Bo -- like I can't do anything spontaneous³.  And that kind of gets on your nerves.

And the other thing is people know who you are everywhere -- obviously.  (Laughter.)  So you have to -- you always have to like shave and comb your hair and -- (laughter) -- you can't just roll out of bed and be out there.  (Laughter.)  So that kind of stuff can be a little tough.

Young lady right here. 

Q    Is there a lot of stress in --

THE PRESIDENT:  Stand up, I'm sorry.  What’s your name?

Q    Brianna --

THE PRESIDENT:  Brianna.  So what were you saying?

Q    Is there like a lot of stress when you --

THE PRESIDENT:  Like when I'm working on the economy or something?

Q    -- when you're working on the economy --

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, look, there’s stress involved.  But let me tell you something.  I promise you there’s stress involved being the principal of a middle school.  There’s stress involved being a teacher.

One of the things that I want everybody here to understand is, is that whatever profession you choose, whether it’s being president, being an engineer, being the principal of a school, being a teacher, there are going to be some stresses involved.  There aren't that many jobs out there that you just kind of sit back（休息） and have fun all the time.  But that's part of growing up, and that's part of being successful, is managing that stress.

The one thing that I think helps me handle the stress is if I feel like, at the end of the day, I've done the best possible job I can do, even if not everything has worked out exactly the way I planned it, then I feel okay.  What bothers me is if I feel like, gosh, I could have done -- I could have done better on that.

So you guys should take the same attitude with respect to school.  I mean, look, I know 7th and 8th graders, you guys have got your own little stresses.  And growing up is stressful, and taking tests are stressful, and getting that paper in on time is stressful.  The key is just making sure that you’re hungry for knowledge, you're working hard, you're getting better all the time.  If you do that, then you can look yourself in the mirror and say, I'm doing my best.

And if everybody here is doing their best, I'm confident you guys are going to succeed and thrive.

All right?  Well, I'm very proud of you guys.  Thank you, everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you.