The Advent

Young, entitled, uncaring even

Strong, an idol, you must believe in

You’re, puerile, helplessly naive

Take ease, unclench, it's all up my sleeve

Child do you not know nothing is promised?

Extinguish the comfort and the calmness

The future is near in fact right before us

I can touch the tassel, I can smell August

They don't want the books, the voiceless

36, 4.0, 1600, all that is pointless

Without passion you are nothing but the others

Books have no worth, no girth, without colors

These pages you've been writing will remain blank

Until you learn that there are others who are of rank

Darling your mind is bright but your heart isn't

What a shame it is, to rise you should be driven

They tell you not to stress,

Don’t work in excess

You are still young

There’s still time to stand out from the throng

Your grades, your scores, that’s what matters

When in fact there’s more to look at, all that is smatter

You’re uninvolved, lethargic, way too comfortable

Your lack of prudence would leave you vulnerable

What’s a 4.0 or 36

When there are others with bags of tricks

You need to find yourself, stand out

Not just today, or tomorrow but throughout

Unearth where you want to go, what you want to be

It is only then that your mind would be free

Your goals and deadlines, make sure you arrange

You have a year ahead of you, there’s time to change

This epiphany must stick with you dear self,

Prove why the medals should be on your shelf

All I ask is that you don’t be discouraged

Our future is bright, it just needs to be foraged

This year I got a reality check about college admissions. In the 10th grade I was sure that all I needed was valedictorian status, high test scores, and a 4.0 GPA to get into any school I want. However, after a college portfolio assignment, I had an epiphany. I finally realized that all I needed was to pursue and have passion for something. I didn’t need to join all the clubs, but just specialize in a few. I realized that I couldn’t get a scholarship just for having straight A’s. I realized that I’ve been too comfortable, and now that I would be applying to a college for early action in the fall, I would need to focus on the things I love doing, make sure I’m using all my time efficiently, and make sure I’m giving back to my community while doing so. Looking at different college essays, deadlines, and applicants advanced the person I was, and helped me buckle down in order to make myself and transcript appealing to all my top schools. This poem is in sorts a letter to the person I was one year ago, advising on the mindset I should have for the awaiting college applications I would be completing in a few months.