So I’ve just graduated middle school, and as I was sitting on my couch flipping through TV channels it finally hit me that high school is starting. That means that I’m going to have to start giving my all in everything academically related (something I definetly haven’t been doing.). Of course, what’s thinking about high school without thinking about college? I have big dreams. I want to attend an Ivy League or some prestigious school. These types of dreams are virtually un-heard of in my very small town. I then did some more research into the whole admissions process (as if I hadn’t done enough already!), and saw that most people who get in seem to build villages in Southern Africa for recently orphaned children. I can’t help but feel extremely worthless, seeing as the greatest accomplishment of mine is winning at a state competition. So, my question is: How can I find something I’m truly good at and love that will make me stand out? I don’t really want to do things just to get into college. As of now it seems to be Speech Broadcasting (where I placed at state). I’m not really good at sports, and I don’t really like volunteering that much. I’m also my freshman class Vice President, so that’s a start. Again, I’m from a small town, so things like research and the like wouldn’t be available. The only things that I can think of that will help me in the whole admissions process is having a single mother as my parent who did not attend college, low income, and being from an under-represented regional area in admissions.
“and saw that most people who get in seem to build villages in Southern Africa for recently orphaned children”
Nope. Better get back to the research.
“I can’t help but feel extremely worthless, seeing as the greatest accomplishment of mine is winning at a state competition.”
Umm…
“can I find something I’m truly good at and love that will make me stand out?”
Now, you are more on track…
“The only things that I can think of that will help me in the whole admissions process…”
Very bad idea to enumerate these kinds of things as your top strengths. I liked the winning at Speech and leadership much more.
Went in with the same thought in HS. Put too much on my plate & at the end it all came crashing down & I ended up f*cking everything up, freshman year. It’s easy to say al of that, but it’s hard to actually do it, man. I’m a procastinator… I have these big aims, and horrible planning. I waste away, i’m lazy, but I have so much I want to do. Try try try your best & pace yourself though. Don’t overwhelm yourself & think too much. Good luck.
“I have big dreams. I want to attend an Ivy League or some prestigious school. These types of dreams are virtually un-heard of in my very small town.”
A lot of people have these dreams. I’m going to talk “real talk” with you:
You’re really not alone. Just because you are from a small town, doesn’t mean there aren’t hundreds of thousands of others applying to the same prestigious school you are applying to. They won’t care very much that you’re from a small town. The only thing that gets their damn attention is grades, GPA, ECs, and of course classes taken. You will not be alone when applying, and you are not the only one who has a goal like this.
It’s good that you finally realized High School is starting soon, despite what everyone says about it sucking, it will determine parts of your future. Do NOT screw up each year.
Freshman year was such a great year for me, I was involved, and I had great grades. Sophomore year I basically screwed up. Now, I’m trying to get a redo for my Junior and Senior year.
Do not screw anything up. Plan meticulously. Plan ahead. Be forward thinking.
“Be forward thinking” is the best advice I can give you, especially since you’re going into freshman year. No one in this world is forward thinking, literally no one. That’s why I decided to be. If you can distinguish yourself from the thousands of people that are applying, you’re golden. How do you do that? Be forward thinking. Always think of the future. That’s my best advice. Also, plan meticulously.
I know I repeat myself, but it’s only because I’m trying to drill into your head the reality. Thousands of people will be applying, make sure YOU can distinguish yourself from the thousands of grey sheep out there. Just because you have that dream, doesn’t mean you will achieve it. Make sure YOU achieve it. Don’t say what you’re going to do, just DO it.
I love dreams, but it’s time to put the gears into action, and start being forward thinking. It’s time for a dose of reality. Plan everything. You must have safeties, matches, and yes, even reach schools.
Take whatever you must to distinguish yourself.
Now before I start repeating myself a lot like a broken record, I will stop writing now. Take what I say into account, and always remember:
Be forward thinking.
