BE MINE. LOVE YOU. YOUDA BEST.

Those are some of the most popular sayings on Spangler Conversation Hearts, those chalky (rather tasteless) confections that faithfully appear in stores every February to remind us it’s time to give attention to the people we love.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t the only thing that happens in February. It’s also typically when area middle schools require 8th graders to turn in their freshman-year course selections, which can set the trajectory for how they will spend their time both inside and outside the classroom throughout high school and ultimately impact what goes on their college applications. 

Such a “lovely” thought, right? In light of that, I think it appropriate to not only think about who you love but also what you love this month. (Or what your child loves, if you’re a parent). In a high school students’ quest for admission to the “right” college and a subsequent fruitful career, sometimes this consideration gets shoved behind priorities like achieving to the highest extent, grinding through the pain, and even straining to align coursework and extracurricular activities with what they perceive to be the perfect major or job (or to impress what they perceive to be the perfect college). 

While reaching educational and eventual career goals isn’t always going to be easy and sometimes pain is part of the process, it doesn’t have to be miserable. There should be pleasure in spending time on pursuits we’re passionate about. (I say “we” because this is principle that everyone should carry through life, not just high school students). Furthermore, the more a person enjoys what they do, the more successful and involved they typically will be in it. (And college admission officers will appreciate a student who passionately participates in anything more than a student who passively participates in the “right” thing).

High school is a time of exploration and development of the whole self. That is why I encourage students to first think about what they enjoy doing before they make decisions about what courses to take in high school, what majors to eventually pursue in college and what extracurricular and summer activities to participate in. I have had a many a student choose high school electives in the fine arts or sports who then went on to STEM majors at very selective colleges. This may sound counter to advice I have previously given to align activities with potential majors to demonstrate one’s fit for their intended major. But it doesn’t have to be “either, or.” An aspiring engineer can participate in choir AND attend a summer camp in engineering. Likewise, an aspiring computer scientist can be in band AND on the UIL computer science team. Students do not need to be one-trick ponies. Furthermore, a college that requires prospective students to demonstrate fit for a particular major isn’t right for every student. There are plenty of colleges that don’t do that. 

DO WHAT YOU LOVE.

If I could give you a conversation heart, that’s what it would it would say.

With love,
Neisha