Warning! Danger Ahead! (Principal Song’s Advice To the Seniors and Their Parents)
I am sure the current 12th graders cannot wait to graduate and move on to college. Given that yearning, I’d like to provide the following warning. And, I believe they will be useful to the underclassmen as well.
First, put away the false notion that "Everything is done." Most 12th graders think submitting the college application marks the end of their high school career. However, there’s still a lot of work left to do. Most importantly, course grades and extracurricular activities in the 2nd semester should not be neglected. Competitive colleges and universities will not only consider the marks from the first semester but also weigh in the second-semester course selection and progress report grades. If the 2nd-semester course load is too light or grades are too low, well, your acceptance can be rescinded.
Years ago, a young man from NCA got into UCLA, but he slacked off in the Spring Semester. Guess what happened? His acceptance was revoked. He appealed and begged, but to no avail. That student spent almost two years at a community college before transferring to UCLA as a sophomore. He was angry at himself for having wasted so much time, but some things in life are irreversible. BTW, the culprit for his disengagement from learning was online games. Did you know that all college acceptances are conditional? That’s especially true for competitive schools. Colleges are like businesses--they have to watch out for their bottom line. So, they won't move forward with a candidate who has a high chance of quitting or dropping out (and end up not paying the tuition). Afterall, there are so many eager students on the waitlist! So, my dear seniors, be sure to complete the 2nd semester successfully and with fidelity.
Second, always give your best to the end. High school is just a chapter in your life. Graduation is, as its definition indicates, the process of moving on and taking on the next challenge. It’s certainly not the end. Plus, as much as starting well is important, finishing on a high note is perhaps even more important.
With almost anything in life, whether they’d be projects or tasks, you must resist the urge to “take it easy” when you’re near the end. Sure, we all need short breaks to refuel and recharge. But, when you give in to the desire to, say, play addictive games, you may end up paying a hefty price. I warn you thus: control your urge to play or indulge in vices, or you will have serious problems in life.
Third, while college acceptances should be celebrated, they do not entitle you to much. You don’t “deserve” a new car, or unlimited time on social media or online games, or complete freedom. I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but you’re not all “growed up.” Your success is, first and foremost, the result of many, many people investing their time and energy into your life--your parents, teachers, grandparents, siblings, pastors, etc. all contributed to your success. Plus, almost 100% of you will continue to depend on your parents for college tuition, clothes on your back, food on the table, phone bills, etc. So, be nice and respect your parents! Don’t act like an entitled whippersnapper (look that one up if you don’t know that ancient term). Parenthetically, if you do not manage your time and yourself well now, you’re setting yourself up for failures. Did you know that the #1 reason for dropping out of college is poor time management? As a freshman, you’ll live without parental guidance or teacher demands. Without such guardrails, you’ll likely end up spending most of your time playing games, socializing, exercising/playing sports, participating in extracurriculars, etc. into the wee hours of the night. That will disrupt your sleeping pattern, and you’ll end up missing lectures, classes, and discussions. That will translate into poor grades and even APs (in college, it doesn’t mean Advanced Placement; it means Academic Probation). If you don’t quickly turn the ship around, you may be forced to change majors or get kicked out. What a terrible chain-reaction that is! So, ask yourself: “Am I managing my time and priorities effectively?” I’ll tell you what: a student who does not manage his/her time wisely now will NOT automatically become a good time manager as a collegian.
Fourth, in line with what was just detailed, address your weaknesses so that you can thrive in college (and in life). If you’re on your way to the Top 50 colleges and universities in the nation, you’ll need good study habits. If you took the IB courses, you’ll appreciate the value of the program, high standards, and quality of products your teachers demanded of you. All the hard work in terms of reading, analyzing, asking TOK questions, and articulating your comprehension through writings, presentations, and verbal communications will all make sense in college. On behalf of your teachers, I’ll say here in advance, “You’re welcome.”
Thus, seniors, please do not say, “I’m done with everything.” That’s a foolish statement. “I can’t wait to go to college and do whatever I want to do” is a naive, juvenile, and even dangerous thought. And, parents, as you celebrate your child’s success and feel proud of them, please don’t take your foot off the pedal yet. Do remind and encourage your child to press on.
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