| When I started high school (almost four years ago *wow*) my mom gave me really good advice...
(WARNING: CLICHÉ)
Don't do it if you don't want to do it.
I don't think many of you are HS Freshman. But I think more people should follow that ideal. If you do what you want to do, you're much better off. I didn't listen to my mom freshman year; I joined "Students serving seniors" and visited nursing homes. But then I ended up doing what I wanted to do... and It brought me so much more than sitting in retirement homes did. Btw I didn't even include that CS Club on my app.
By following what I wanted to do I ended up working with an autistic hockey team, coaching a beginner synchronized skating team, teaching foreign language to elementary schoolers, and more. And I got so much out of the experiences-
For example:
I now understand where my autistic brother is coming from, and it has made me respect him so much more.
Some days when I go to the special hockey practice, I feel awkward.. The girl in figure skates wearing a hockey helmet, etc... And there are days when CJ (my favorite new kid on the team) will play dead on the ice face down for forty minutes... But it all doesn't matter when he can finally shoot a puck into a net.
And when my brother is proud of me for coming to his practice... Or when a parent will come up to me after practice, thanking me for helping their child hold a hockey stick (and for giving them hope that there are good people in the world that will help their son when they won't be around)
(o gosh I'm crying) is the best feeling imaginable.
It's been completely worth every second.
And I guess, prolly mentioned previously here, Colleges just want to see you passionate about something. Because If you are passionate about something, then colleges can be pretty sure you can transfer your passion to other areas and be successful.
Make use of their expectations! Do what you want to do and go out and help the world! |