Hello! This is in its very early stages. I'd appreciate any suggestions on the topic, organization, word choice, etc. (:
Thanks!
CHARACTER COUNT: 2051
*I do need to cut this down by 51 characters at the very least...
---------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying what I do. That's what matters to me most.
Growing up among driven, ambitious peers, the race to put another high-powered internship or leadership position on the resume was fierce. I watched my friends complain about their hectic schedules, filled with volunteer positions at the local hospital and local tutoring gigs and hotshot internships. Much of what they were complaining about had little to do with their lack of time as it did with their unhappiness and annoyance of the whole affair. Yet, when asked why they were in it in the first place, it wasn't all too surprising to hear the answer, "Because it looks good for colleges."
In an age when getting into college has become increasingly competitive, I, too, got caught up in the hype of adding another extracurricular activity in an effort to 'impress' admission committees. I found little happiness in what I was doing, but I went along with it anyway. "It's for college," was the mantra that kept me going. But after three months, I felt a disconnection to the activities I had involved myself in. It had become mindless labor, done in the hopes of impressing someone whose connection to me would be a piece of paper with a laundry list of activities.
That was when I decided to simply get involved in the activities that I truly enjoyed and was interested in. I committed myself to a few activities in areas that I actually enjoyed, working with kids and community service. Although I would have fewer activities to show compared to some of my other peers, I enjoyed what I was doing. I put serious dedication and commitment into the few activities I did have, rather than half-heartedly applying myself into several different areas.
It's true, I might not be able to fill out all the extracurricular slots on the application. But of the slots that are filled, I can proudly say the memories and experiences I have gained from each those activities are well worth leaving slots blank.
I enjoy what I do. That's what matters to me. I could not ask for anything more.
Thanks!
CHARACTER COUNT: 2051
*I do need to cut this down by 51 characters at the very least...
---------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying what I do. That's what matters to me most.
Growing up among driven, ambitious peers, the race to put another high-powered internship or leadership position on the resume was fierce. I watched my friends complain about their hectic schedules, filled with volunteer positions at the local hospital and local tutoring gigs and hotshot internships. Much of what they were complaining about had little to do with their lack of time as it did with their unhappiness and annoyance of the whole affair. Yet, when asked why they were in it in the first place, it wasn't all too surprising to hear the answer, "Because it looks good for colleges."
In an age when getting into college has become increasingly competitive, I, too, got caught up in the hype of adding another extracurricular activity in an effort to 'impress' admission committees. I found little happiness in what I was doing, but I went along with it anyway. "It's for college," was the mantra that kept me going. But after three months, I felt a disconnection to the activities I had involved myself in. It had become mindless labor, done in the hopes of impressing someone whose connection to me would be a piece of paper with a laundry list of activities.
That was when I decided to simply get involved in the activities that I truly enjoyed and was interested in. I committed myself to a few activities in areas that I actually enjoyed, working with kids and community service. Although I would have fewer activities to show compared to some of my other peers, I enjoyed what I was doing. I put serious dedication and commitment into the few activities I did have, rather than half-heartedly applying myself into several different areas.
It's true, I might not be able to fill out all the extracurricular slots on the application. But of the slots that are filled, I can proudly say the memories and experiences I have gained from each those activities are well worth leaving slots blank.
I enjoy what I do. That's what matters to me. I could not ask for anything more.