November 27th, 2025
Looking back at my high-school years, one of my greatest regrets is regretting. I should have done this… gosh, that was such a great opportunity! But it’s too late now… The truth is, the doors to those opportunities were always open. Whether it was joining a new club or embarking on a new project, I had the resources to make small changes to my life and surroundings. Yet being told repeatedly that ‘it doesn’t look good if you do something completely new in your junior year’, I carried on with activities I felt apathetic towards, hoping that all of those stagnant years will culminate in a strong college portfolio. But when the application season arrived, I could not write more than a few words about those marginal extracurriculars. Despite the time I poured into them, I suffocated writing my essays; I could not read without feeling that this wasn’t me. I realized that I had spent years trying to fit myself into a rigid mold which I don’t belong in. There is no ‘right’ time to start an interest. If it is something that you gravitate towards—if you can picture yourself thriving in the environment you’ve found, then it is a signal for you to capture that opportunity. If it turns out to not be the best fit for you, then you can always seek a different passion. But if you release such a fleeting spark, it may never return. The moment you become conscious of what others will think about those passions, the moment you begin striving for standards others impose, your authenticity may erode. Please do not sacrifice that irreplaceable identity of yours for artificial indicators of success. The pursuit for higher education is laudable, but do not let that path be spoiled by rumors or dictated by someone else’s fears. Be open to counsel, but be keen to distinguish between authentic guidance and anxiety-driven advice. My belief is that people shine brightest when they genuinely enjoy what they do. When you love something, you will naturally take initiative, embrace challenges, seek out people who share similar passions, and absorb what they can teach you. Progress will become a corollary of you immersing in what you truly desire, rather than something you chase out of comparison. So whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or even a senior, I suggest that you pursue what you resonate with. I encourage you to be fearless, and occasionally disobedient, if that is what helps you grow into a better version of yourself. I truly believe every person is a genius, that every person has some flourishing potential waiting to be discovered, and that you can govern that potential by listening to your instincts. If you have an idea, or something that you have always wanted to do, now is the time to act. You may be anxious that these new activities are irrelevant—that they disorganize the picture you are trying to paint in your application—but I can promise (as Steve Jobs once said) that the dots will ultimately connect.