"...Life’s a Great Balancing Act.” by Lindsey

"...Life’s a Great Balancing Act.” by Lindsey - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

High school curriculums are full of classic books written by remarkable authors, full of important books that serve great purposes. They represent pivotal points in history, explore the human psyche and religion, discuss utopias and perfect (or not-so-perfect) worlds and ultimately emphasize the importance of reading analytically and critically. But what about reading something fun and light? What about reading something inspirational without having to read chapter after chapter, highlighting and annotating along the way? What about receiving a message that inspires high school students to pursue their dreams, look forward to their future, and brave the unknown? But what about the times when the future doesn’t seem so bright, when it’s scary, when it’s hard, when others are moving forward and it feels as though they are not? With that in mind, the book that all high school students should read before they graduate is Dr. Seuss’s Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Dr. Seuss’s imaginative and creative story is uniquely written in the second-person, written as if Dr. Seuss is speaking directly to the reader and his message is especially for them. This perspective makes it personal, relatable, and enjoyable to read because somehow, someway, this mass-produced, wildly popular story is made just for them. And the message Dr. Seuss expresses is one of moving on, moving forward, and moving up in the world- literally and figuratively! But unlike many children’s books, which is what Dr. Seuss seemingly specializes in, this book is about TWO very grown-up life lessons. The first lesson is the importance to strive for great things, dream, and aspire to become one of “…the high fliers who soar to high heights.” The second lesson is not quite so enthusiastic or positive, but is equally, if not more, important for students in high school. As Dr. Seuss puts it, “I’m sorry to say so, but sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.”

Growing up and becoming an adult is not always easy, it is not always fun, and it is not always clear what to do, but as a teenager, this may not be as easy to see. Through Dr. Seuss’ whimsical word choices, this very true, very important message is easily received, without judgment, without suggesting failure. It points out to the reader that uncertainty, insecurity, and tough times will likely happen, and these moments are normal, perhaps even inevitable. Without personal experiences with “Bang-ups” or “Hang-ups” and the process one must go through to recuperate from them, these rough times can seem utterly devastating. Getting rejected from your dream college, not getting selected for the new job, or having to pay rent without the available funds in your bank account can be crippling in the moment, leaving someone to feel lost, desperate, and unable to find a solution. And while pressure from outside forces, such as parents or property managers, are hard enough, the pressure and judgment that comes from within an individual is enough to make difficulty, no matter how small, seem totally life shattering. But Oh, the Places You’ll Go! reassures the reader that despite these difficulties, they can still “…MOVE MOUNTAINS!” and accomplish great things.

This book takes the reader along a journey that brings them high with success, leading to a collapse due to these “Bang-ups”, but most importantly it follows the path right back to recuperation and success once again. And, that is the nature of life. Life is about being successful, however one chooses to define it, facing challenges, and moving forward from them. This journey is important for a high school student to be able to visualize before they begin their own journey into adulthood so they can see that hardships will happen but that it will not prevent them from being successful. It may, however, require them to be brave, make decisions, and expect the unexpected. High school graduation may be the last event for teens before a potentially scary and uncertain future, but it is also a happy and exciting time. Graduating from high school means the beginning of college, entering the work force, the mysterious future, but ultimately, just as this book reminds its readers, it is the beginning of great potential, great fun, and great excitement!

This book is a roller-coaster, with a bright, optimistic beginning, which quickly and unexpectedly turns into upsets and adversity, but that ends on a high, uplifting note- just like high school and ultimately life. This book is so important for students to read before they graduate because it is about growing up, moving forward, hitting tough times but persevering and looking forward to “…the places you’ll go!”