Focus by Lindsey

Focus by Lindsey - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

This is the year that will begin your high school career. My advice to you? Focus. What does this mean? Well, according to Webster’s dictionary it means to direct your attention or effort at something specific. There are a lot of things that will demand your attention in high school. Many of them are quite irrelevant. There are the infamous yet superfluous high school relationships, the gossip each week of the latest “scandal”, the next biggest party, the stress of overbearing parents, the inner conflict that each student deals with, the annoying teacher who always seems to give way too much homework, the daydreams of everything in the world except for what you are supposed to be learning about- well guess what? None of that matters. Try focusing on the things that do.

That boy or girl you think is your one and only, your high school sweetheart, will most likely only last about a month. Statistics show that less than two percent of high school sweethearts actually end up getting married and not divorcing. My advice? Don’t focus on that. That seemingly harmless gossip going around about who did what, said what, heard what is most likely not true and more harmful than you think. The fourth law of Rumor Spread in psychology states that the more one hears a rumor the more likely that person is to believe it, even if it is obviously false. My advice? Don’t focus on that. That party you are thinking about attending in order to seem cool to your friends will do nothing for you in life. No one is really cool in high school. It’s all just an act to fulfill that sense of belonging each one of us secretly desires. There are easier ways to make friends than stepping out of your comfort zone to fit in with the alleged cool kids. My advice? Don’t focus on that. Parents can be overbearing and the natural response of any teen is to complain and retaliate. Just remember, your parents already went through all of this stuff. Even though they seem oblivious to today’s culture, most of the time they know what they are talking about. Striking back at your clearly ancient parents for grounding you will usually end up hurting you more than it will them. My advice? Don’t focus on that. That inner conflict constantly bugging you about the things you encounter, the choices you make, the way you want people to see you? That’s perfectly normal. There is no need to worry, you will do fine. My advice? Don’t focus on that. That annoying teacher mentioned earlier expects a lot of you. This is high school. Get used to higher expectations. It is in your best interest and will benefit you in the long run. The homework isn’t that bad once you get used to it. My advice? Don’t focus on that. Last but not least, the daydreams. Whether they are about the parties, the gossip, or your revenge plot against your parents, none of that is more important than your education. Or maybe you daydream about your future, the house you will have, the white picket fence, the career you have always pictured yourself in- none of that is attainable if you are focusing on the wrong things. My advice? Stay focused on those dreams and making them come true.

So what is that “something specific” that Webster mentions in his definition? What are the right things? What does matter? I’ll tell you. Making lifelong friendships with the people who don’t expect you to change who you are to fit in with them. Those are the relationships that last. The ones that require nothing of you, except for you to be yourself. That matters. Building up the people who are torn down by the vicious exchange of rumors. Standing up for what is right even when it is against popular trend. That matters. Spending time with your parents who love you and want the very best for you because in four short years you won’t always have them at arm’s length anymore. Enjoy the time you have while you still can. Show them how much you appreciate them. That matters. Suck it up and do your homework. It helps you do better on the test anyways. Getting your GPA up and trying your very best at everything you do. That matters. And those dreams? Fight for those dreams. Don’t waste class time just thinking about your future. Make your future a reality. Work for what you want. Don't give up. That matters. My advice to you, upcoming freshman? Stay focused on the things that matter and making those dreams come true.