My resumes and applications look pretty dang good. Contributing writer to Syracuse's major newspaper. Vice President of Student Government. Participant in musicals, vocal ensembles, science clubs. 300+ hours of community service. Solid course schedule with plenty of AP and Honors. Active member and volunteer at my church. Held a job working anywhere from 10-65 hours per week since June 2006. Great, not exceptional, SAT's and GPA.
But at what cost? How many nights did I stay up until 3a.m. putting the finishing touches on my poster for Psych? Why did I tell my sister I didn't have time because I had to go work a can and bottle drive? And how many Saturdays did I stay home all day to study and organize my folders? How many meaningful conversations were delayed or deleted for the sake of next day's research paper? Too many.
Most of my friends have given up a lot of living for the sole purpose of looking good to get into college. And, yes, it would have been incredibly foolish for me to not work hard at all and to scrape by. I'd probably be listing up for the marines right now had that been the case.
But why can't there be some balance in high school students' lives? I wish I had spent more time with the people in my life who I probably won't see, except for the occasional wave in Wal-Mart over Christmas break, for the rest of my life. I intend to go to Chicago, and while I must say that I'm exhilarated to start the next chapter of my life, I'm truly not happy with how I've lived these last ones.
Not happy? Well that might be a little harsh. I have had some great experiences. I traveled to Louisiana last June to continue the work being done in a small town called Phoenix outside of New Orleans. It was an incredible experience, for sure. But perhaps if I had approached it as an opportunity for fellowship and community with some people who need a hand, rather than a chance to rack up 45 community service hours in six days, it would have really changed my life.
And God. Why why why have I approached my life as a schedule, penciling in my savior when it's convenient for me? He's always there for me, shouldn't I try to do the same for him? I'm tired of saying I've given my life to Christ, when all I've really given him is enough time for a ten minute devotional and a quick word of thanks before I eat.
So here's the thing, it's probably a little much to say that I regret the way I lived, but it's certainly not the way I want to live for the next years of my life. Balance, that's the key. And not that "stay well rounded in high school" b.s.
What I'm talking about is taking a raw look at priorities. Yes, academics are/were my job in high school. And I'll admit that I've gone through times where I wasted hours upon hours away with truly pointless IMing conversations. But when a friend's in need, who's really going to say that logging community service hours or surfing for scholarships is more important?
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That's surely the key word. I was an overachiever in school too and tried desperately to balance everything. I only really got 7 hours of sleep most nights. I don't regret what I sacrificed, but I've definitely learned not to load my schedule up now. There must be time for rest and time with friends and family.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
The funny thing is that it never ends. To move up that corporate ladder you need to give 12+ hours a day. Those who don't put in the extra time don't seem to get noticed and move up. In my last job I participated in volunteer efforts in the name of the company, worked 7 days a week, ever weekends and holidays when I needed to finish up a project. I sacrificed lots of relationships to remain an asset to the company. I then injured my back and had to take some time off, as a reward for my injury, the company eliminated my position.
With the lack of companies who are loyal to their employees, it really doesn't seem worth it to work so hard. Family and friends are very important. School is a different story since you reap the rewards for your hard work, but in a company setting the company reaps the rewards. Set aside one day out of the week and devote it to family and friends. I wish I would have sooner.