{"id":147928486,"date":"2024-08-20T15:49:07","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T15:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writetosuccess.net\/on-charting-a-course\/"},"modified":"2024-08-20T15:49:07","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T15:49:07","slug":"on-charting-a-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writetosuccess.net\/de\/on-charting-a-course\/","title":{"rendered":"On Charting a Course"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why self-awareness never comes too late<\/h2>

\u201cI wish I could do it over again.\u201d<\/p>

My husband looked askance: \u201cYou wish you weren\u2019t here?\u201d<\/p>

That wasn\u2019t \u2014 isn\u2019t \u2014 what I wish at all. But helping high school students craft college application essays had me wishing that someone had challenged my 17-year-old self to think about what she wanted, and why.<\/p>

\"person<\/figure>

Self-reflection leads to self-illumination<\/h3>

Application essays or personal statements can be just another tiresome requirement. They are also an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the most important questions they will ever be asked: <\/p>

  1. Who are you? <\/p><\/li>

  2. Who do you want to be?<\/p><\/li>

  3. What do you value?<\/p><\/li>

  4. How do you want to spend your time?<\/p><\/li>

  5. Why do you care about the things you care about? <\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    It is easy to get caught up in other people\u2019s definitions of success. It is tempting to seek external approval instead of strive for internal alignment. It can be hard to hear one\u2019s inner voice through buzz of social expectations.<\/p>

    Application essays are a chance to turn down the noise and tune into one\u2019s inner self.<\/p>

    This is why I always begin the process with exercises that prompt reflection. These exercises are ageless; you can do them if you\u2019re 12, 17, 24 or 44. I suspect they more often you check in with yourself, the more useful they become.<\/p>

    The following is a modified version of a brainstorming exercise my students complete.<\/p>

    Grab a pen and notebook, take yourself somewhere quiet and give it a spin. <\/p>

    It\u2019s never too early to reflect on your values, qualities and unique characteristics; nor is it ever too late. <\/p>

    \"boy<\/figure>

    Instructions<\/h2>