Summer reading
Some high schools have summer reading lists. If you're school does this, remember they're telling you what to read, but now where to read it; Jane Austen at the beach, a couple of Emily Dickinson poems at the ballpark, and reading Thoreau's Walden in a hammock? Dude!
I would (of course) recommend another reading of "College Is Yours," and a thoughtful consideration of these questions underneath a big tree on a blue sky day:
What am I giving and receiving as a member of my school community? If your homework load, spring sports, and prom prep are freaking you out right now, July might be a good time to think about what happened this year, to make sure it doesn't happen next year (even if that next year is at college). Ask yourself--what's at school that stokes you? If nothing- or too much-- comes to mind, sort this out over summer-and remember, the answer has to come from something you're willing to do differently, not what you want others to change for you.
>> PAST COLUMNS: Don't name that college
>> PAST COLUMNS: The best high school you can go to
>> PAST COLUMNS: There is a bigger picture to consider
>> PAST COLUMNS: Back to our regularly scheduled schedule
What am I giving and receiving as a member of my classroom community? You may love school because of the dances, the robotics competitions, or the smell in the cafeteria on Taco Friday. Cool-but what about when the bell rings? Many of us are right there when a friend pours out their heart in the hallway -- do we listen when someone (student or teacher) pours out their academic joys, insights, or challenges in English or History? Are we as thoughtful, prepared, respectful and focused in a classroom as we are about the play, the team, the dance, or the friends ?
And what about your classmates-- do you see them as strangers, the enemy, or people with viewpoints you need to hear? Do you spend more class time focused what you'll say to your peeps at lunch than on the people right in front of you? Grandma said you have two ears and one mouth 'cause you're supposed to listen twice as much as talk. Give that a try next time the teacher calls for small group discussion about the writings of Garrison Keillor, and you'll discover listening, like ketchup, has natural mellowing agents.
What parts of school am I applying outside of school? The motto of my favorite high school was "Enter to learn; go forth to serve." How are you doing with that? Do you walk on the lawns of your school's neighbors on the way home? Do you walk on the mental lawns of your neighbors or loved ones at home?
Students who wear different clothes get our
respect, or at least a pass -- what does Uncle Bob get from you when he comes for Thanksgiving dinner, hopelessly devoted to the fashions
of the '70s? What comes to mind when a rusted pickup truck pulls up at a traffic light? What do we do when an earthquake hits
In the midst of the march towards the awesome skydive that's the end of school, it's easy to say "I'm glad that's done." I get that-but if you take some time this summer to think about all school did for you, not to you, you might find yourself as psyched about jumping into September as you are about jumping into the pool.
And what does all of this have to do with college? Whoa -- another summer question to ponder!
About Patrick O'Connor
Patrick O'Connor is the Director of College Counseling at The Roeper School in Birmingham and the author of "College Is Yours in 600 Words or Less." You can contact him through his web site at www.collegeisyours.com.
