Teens in Ladera

In a world of perfectly polished applications, the majority of students have straight As, numerous AP classes, and near-perfect SAT scores. In the stressful environments created, high schoolers struggle to find what makes them unique. In addition to intense course loads, they are expected to develop a passion or area of expertise that defines and interests them. When students are surrounded by competitive peers, remaining authentic shows their true character, virtues, and identity.

Instead of presenting their authentic selves, students often feel pressured to stack their resumes. Overloading on niche internships and random nonprofits that do not align with their passions may help students appear accomplished; however, it does not show their originality. When participating in activities that do not excite them or correspond with their genuine interests, students often find the work tedious and cannot fully enjoy it. On the other hand, students who participate in what they love produce higher-quality work because their passion incorporates more thought, effort, and creativity.Investing time in fewer commitments that showcase students’ passions, rather than taking on many to appear busy, demonstrates that those students are committed to the things they want to pursue and are not just participating to boost their statistics.

Spending more time on fewer, more devoted activities allows students to make a greater impact in their communities, which is considerably more impressive than simply participating in multiple organizations. Colleges are becoming more competitive and are searching for what makes students who they are beyond grades. Rather than perfection, authenticity in applications reflects the story that students have to tell. Students who focus their energy and time on what they truly care about show their character and growth to colleges, while also finding what matters to them.