Now that it’s almost February, if you are like most college-bound seniors, you are probably winding down your apps and essays, and feeling a little impatient about getting your college notification letters. Perhaps you find yourself going a bit stir crazy at the mere thought of waiting for another month until you find out your college fate, your final answer, or if your dreams will come true…!
You have worked so hard, put your whole heart into these applications and you just want to know already…especially if the news is good news. If this sounds like you, here are a few of Jenny’s tips to help refocus your energy over the next eight weeks. Pry yourself away from the mailbox, and try one or two of them. You may be surprised by what you learn about yourself.
1. Read Books
It is always disappointing, given our busy schedules – homework, family obligations, holidays, and extracurricular commitments – how little time we make for reading books. Frankly, reading anything in its entirety can sometimes be hard in this fast-paced, electronic world. Whether it’s newspaper articles, magazines, non-fiction or fiction, classics, plays, poetry, or essays, taking the time to read something you always wanted to, may just be the distraction you need from waiting by the mailbox. After all, you did apply to be a scholar right?
2. Be of Service
As we approach the MLK holiday, Dr. King’s words continue to remind me of the value of service regardless of which colleges admit us.
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Don’t ever stop looking for more ways you can give. If you are like most, you may just find your service work gives you so much more than you ever imagined. Trust me, time flies when you are giving your whole self to something incredible.
3. Try Something New
Get out of the monotony of your daily life as you know it, and use your extra time to try something you have never tried before. Have you always wanted to go backpacking with your buddies? Have you dreamed of off-road biking or rock climbing? Or maybe you are the kind of person who likes to stay indoors and always wanted to learn how to sew or knit, or paint. Whatever your preference, why not use this time to try something you have never done before?
4. Travel
Taking advantage of your time to travel and see things you have only read about in books just may be the adventure you need at this point. Planning your spring break now to get away and enjoy a little time off or even getting away for a fun weekend with friends or family may prove to be the best use of your time. You don’t need a lot of money to travel either. Make your own budget and see if a little travel excursion is viable. Have fun!
5. Write or Journal
What you think, what you do, and who you are matters. Your thoughts are invaluable, your creativity is one-of-a-kind, and your voice is just beginning to clarify itself. Perhaps you are already a blogger or someone who writes their thoughts down in a daily journal. If so, keep doing it. There is no better way to develop yourself into the kind of person you really want to become (in college and beyond) unless you write.
