Chan Woong Won
Don’t
ask the seniors where they are applying for university. Don’t ask them what
work they want to do in the future, either. Most likely, they won’t know the
answer to either question; I don’t, at least.
The
good years of high school have passed, and now the forty-seven members of
Dalat’s Class of 2018 are furiously squeezing their brains to polish their
college applications--or so hopes Mr. Dobson.
In
starting their application process, the seniors are queried on their career of
interest and the highest degree they intend to earn; it is a mandatory section,
and the choice “undecided” is at the bottom of a long list.
For
many in high school, “what do you want to do in college?” is an unexpected
question. Freshmen, like Sumin Lim (9), who have all the time and leisure in
the world, can easily say, “no idea fam.”
Sophomores
think similarly; Joseph Chandra (10)
comments on the same query, “I don’t know, but I don’t care.”
Clearly,
this lack of seriousness is carried onto the junior year, for Amanda Low (11)
answers without much hesitation, “go party!”
On
the other hand, there are others who have it figured out. When asked about his
passion, Daniel Go (12), who owns $4,000 worth of bitcoin, identified it as “cryptocurrency” and
zealously continued, calling it the “beginning of a new era.”
Likewise, Maverick Kirby (12), an ex-Dalat
student who recently started his own clothing line hER, called it a “joy” to
“see people rep out the gang” and to “be able to deliver his unique personality
to the world.”
If
I could choose, I would be the latter; but unfortunately, I am the former. As a
result, I am paying the price for it. I spend my time worrying, what if I don’t like what I choose to study?
What if I never find the job I want?
Nevertheless,
it is comforting to know that Dalat sends out this message: that there is a
purpose for everyone, a unique future designed and destined by the ultimate
tailor. Maybe we shouldn’t worry too much; after all, we don’t have a
choice--it’s just part of the once-in-a-lifetime senior experience.
As
Peter Kim (12) puts it, “...[the whole process of college applications] is in
one way suffocating but necessary - it's just a part of life that we have to go
through and realize that it's the truth.”
So
I take this opportunity to wish the Class of 2018 good luck. Good luck with
juggling school work, grades, activities, college essays, sports, social life,
and just about everything else you do, and most importantly, good luck with
discovering your passion. We are all in this together. Juniors, you are next.
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