by Chris Loo
Beginnings are always exciting… but they can provoke a lot of anxiety. There’s something to be said about being able to start a new year. The slate wipes clean. So, what will you write on your slate this year? I’d like to make a few suggestions:
I will be a learner. If you’re already a learner, continue to love learning. If you haven’t been excited about what you’ve been learning in class, make the decision that you’ll make a greater effort to apply yourself, participate in class, and become a learner.
I will be intentional. Socrates once said that an unexamined life is not a life worth living. Take a look at your life and decide what you will do. Invest in relationships. Get to know someone new and deepen relationships you already have. Try new things. Take risks.
I will be mindful. Live in the present and appreciate each moment that you have. Realize that each day will never come again. I’d like to suggest this particularly to our seniors this year. The application process can become all-consuming, even overwhelming. Remember that the the application process is a journey, not a race. It should be a wonderful time for each of you to understand your strengths, gifts and passions and help colleges understand what is uniquely you. This will allow you to find the best fit college.
Remember that you are more than a GPA and a test score. You are so much more. This article from the College Board shares some insight into what colleges are looking for. It aligns itself with our school motto: Character Before Career. I’d like to tweak that just a little: Character Before College and Career. Your character matters to colleges.
Enjoy this process. It won’t always be easy, but nothing really worthwhile ever is. It will be so worth it when you are done. You’ll feel that you have accomplished something you never thought you could: you didn’t just finish your applications, but you’ve celebrated the gift of you along the way. Enjoy the journey!
_____________________________________________________________
One Chapman 