Students, I urge you to develop a balance of both passion and, well, balance. That is to say, there should be one or two things you truly feel passionate about, something you put maximum effort into. At the same time, balance yourself and ground yourself well. Take care of your health, spend time doing whatever you need in order to refresh your spirit, and be diligent about studying and doing well in school.
Passion
Is there something that you feel a true calling in your heart for? Something that energizes you with purpose and prompts you to get up in the morning without need for an alarm clock? Embrace it fully! Not only for the sake of enriching yourself as a whole person, but also because that is one of the key things that colleges and universities look for in potential students. They want someone who shows the passion to excel in a specific field of study, not someone who tries to take every AP class and join every club just for the sake of looking well-rounded to impress and admissions officer. I recall reading a book about lasers as a kid. There was a line that a 5 watt light bulb would barely provide enough light to read that book, but a 5 watt laser could burn a hole through the page. A light bulb provides scattered, diffuse light. A laser provides focused light.
Balance
At the same time, you should work on proper balance in your life. I recall attending my sister’s graduation from a certain US Air Force class for officers, and during the ceremony a general spoke of the warrior triad. He emphasized the importance of developing strength in mind, body, and spirit. While you may never serve in the military, this ideal of balanced development is certainly something worth striving for, it will serve you well throughout your life.
Taking care of yourself enables you to give the world the best of yourself – the main entree of steak and lobster rather than scraps of stale bread, to use a food analogy. Exercise, eat healthy, sleep well. If you don’t consciously make time for your health, your body will do it for you, and it will not occur at a convenient time. Read and study to sharpen your mind. Ask questions and search for deeper answers. Read Scripture, pray, meditate, sit quietly in the woods or a beautiful garden, or whatever is appropriate for your religious beliefs to refresh your spirit. I personally enjoy reading tales of warriors past to inspire me to face the challenges of life with honor and courage.
Excellence, Not Perfection
I recall in school, feeling a great deal of pressure to consistently get straight A’s in my classes. Recently I served on a committee interviewing high school seniors for some scholarships. One applicant, among the mix of mostly A’s and B’s, had three classes where the grade was a C. I suggested that we ask her what was challenging about those courses, what lessons she learned from the experience, and how those lessons would enable her to succeed in her desired career path. I also emphasized that we should not necessarily hold those low grades against her, but rather seek insight into what she learned from the experience. When a person can learn honestly from their mistakes and failures, that provides valuable insight into their character.
I mention this story to hopefully alleviate the stress you may feel about the need to have perfect grades. Would having a perfect string of straight A’s be nice? Would it help make you a more competitive applicant for wherever you want to go next? Probably. Is that perfect record one hundred percent required to achieve some level of success in your academic and professional career? No. If you run yourself into the ground striving for perfect academic grades, but neglect your health, or you never develop a true passion for anything in life, I would not bet on living a life that is satisfying and deeply fulfilling.
What do you think? Please leave a comment.