College: Undecided
Major: Undecided
Dear Freshmen,
I was in your shoes just recently. Three more years of high school stretched out before me, a mountain of activities to try and no idea where to start. Now that you have a year of high school under your belt, you’re probably wondering about your next steps. Do you start a club, play a new sport or join theatre? Or, like many Kirkwood students, maybe all three while also taking the highest level courses available.
High school constantly and consistently pushes the narrative that we should invest in our future by pursuing specific measurable goals and outcomes to ensure success. Chasing the validation of top grades, 5’s on AP tests, gold medals and searching for external evidence to prove the worth of your hard work is a common theme among many students at our high school. I’m here to say instead of spending your four years resume-building, please invest in yourself by choosing activities you enjoy purely because you enjoy them.
Don’t be afraid to drop that activity you’ve poured years into if it no longer brings you happiness. Use that time instead to take a class that sounds interesting or fun. Instead of packing your schedule with all AP classes, leave some space for cadeting for a teacher whose class you loved or who you’d like to get to know better. Join a sport you’ve always wanted to play in your second semester of senior year, even if it doesn’t add to your college application. Join a club with your friends just because. Not everything has to be about climbing the ladder.
If you’re worried about how schools will perceive this, don’t be!! The majority of colleges are looking for well-rounded students; those who are pursuing their true passions and interests, not those who are building impressive looking activity lists. Don’t blindly follow a scripted path, but instead take the time to truly discover yourself. While having diverse experiences and accomplishments are important, don’t forget to embrace the little things. You’ll have more fun this way, anyway.
