In an environment where girls put labels on the clothes they wear and boys put labels on the cars they drive, we have all started to uniformly label one thing—college. Being able to wear a sweatshirt with your Ivy League school name on it has become the thing to do.
Four years ago when I entered CHS, it seemed unheard of to take more than one AP course during freshman and sophomore year. Now, I see freshman taking APUSH and sophomores clearing their schedules to take a double period of AP Biology. As I approach the end of my high school career, I have one piece of advice for all of you underclassman. Chill out! There is no need to load yourselves up with APs when you should be enjoying the first two years of a stress-free underclassman experience. Trust me, all the stress will come junior year, there is no need to start it early.
Although we like to believe we are in these hard classes for the “joy of learning,” we all know that the real reason we put ourselves through this hardship is to one day be able to set our Facebook statuses as UNIVERSITY OF [INSERT TOP SCHOOL HERE] CLASS OF 2014. Although we hate to admit it, we love seeing 20 notifications of “Likes” and “Congratulations” under this newly set status.
The weeks of December 14 and April 1—when early and regular decisions come out—consist of everyone constantly checking Facebook to see who got into which school. Especially for early decisions, when we all know who applied where, we can check Facebook pages to see if anyone has written on their wall to congratulate them; and if not, it can be assumed they either got waitlisted or rejected.
Along with updating our Facebook pages, we all love buying all the apparel for that school and wearing it on a weekly basis. There is nothing wrong with getting into a good school and being happy about it, but there is no need to use your acceptance as a bragging right.
What I am trying to say is, do what feels right for you. Do not get caught up in all the college drama and do not simply go to a school just for its reputation and name. There are many people who had a tough choice to make between a top-notch school and a full or almost full ride to a good school. It’s okay to turn down a higher ranked school for a lower ranked one. Many people do this for a number of reasons whether that be financial or academic. It’s also okay to attend a less expensive undergraduate school if you have aspirations of attending a better graduate school.
CHS is a very competitive school and there is no need to put extra stress on yourself by comparing yourself to those around you. Take a course schedule that you are able to handle, and do not try to take more APs than your friends. Apply to schools that feel right, not just schools with the best name. And with that being said, good luck Class of 2011, you’re going to need it.
