The Dangers of University Applications and Not Knowing Where You’re Going In Life: The ‘Oh No!’ Edition

29 November 2014Kimmi G, Hope ’15; Photos by: Kimmi G, Hope ‘15

Senior year is exactly like the movies. There is heartbreak, confusion, stress, breakdowns, and, of course, fear of the impending decision concerning what everyone wants to do for the remainder of their lives. Certain individuals feel an ambitious drive for a specific goal; others are still trying to lackadaisically swim through high school without making any major commitments (pun intended). Both sentiments are perfectly acceptable, or at least they were, until October rolled around. Up until then, students would teeter-totter between Pre-Calculus and anything but Pre-Calculus saying, “Do what makes you happy, you might not live to see tomorrow,” Cristina T, Hope ’15. The only problem is that if, on the off chance, tomorrow doesn’t bring Armageddon, people would prefer to have a nice view—it may have to consistent of trigonometric diagrams, but I digress. “Dark times lie ahead of us, and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right” observed J.K. Rowling. Therefore, the last few months have been full of kids squirming in their white dress shirts, loosening the noose of a tie as they try to maintain high enough grades to earn enrolment in their dream school. Yale, Harvard, UBC, the Brentwood favourite, Queens, and so many more schools are lined up with only an application’s distance between student and acceptance, but even that is sneaking up. UBC’s cut-off date for application submission with major scholarship consideration is on December 10th while other scholarships are on the horizon or in the rear-view mirror: the final SAT before Common Applications are due is in less than 2 weeks—stress. Lace up those Nike Frees, because this year’s educational marathon is just shooting off. Wait, wait, wait, what am I going to do with my life? “It’s an unreasonable burden to have to decide on a single dream,” said Brian G, ’77, so here’s the enlightening bit: just decide what you want to do for the next 5 years, 10 years, 20 years; the choices you make won’t etch your goals on an un-malleable surface, you can do whatever you want. As motivational as a halftime pump-up speech in a game against the #1 provincial team, this knowledge still can leave seniors stagnant; which is why Mr. Rodrigues, Mrs. Coull, and Mr. Pennells 2.0, our University Counsellors, have been so eagerly pushing for our attendance at their offices. They can help. Deadlines approaching, irresolution regarding your life direction, and the process of applying to universities, can all be discussed with these experienced individuals. Senior year is just like the movies, i.e. 300, The Breakfast Club, The First Time, Rebel Without A Cause, Raid Redemption, and the sort, so good luck to you all in your causes. I, Kimmi G, Hope ’15, believe in you.

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