YOLO or YOGO? by Sonam

YOLO or YOGO? by Sonam - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

Dear Incoming Freshman:

Philosophers have defined a good life in many ways. Socrates’ “examined life” taught the process of self-examination to enhance the quality of one’s life through the development of the mind, body, and spirit. Plato’s conception refers to eudemonia, that is human well being, as the highest aim of moral thought and conduct necessary to attain a good life. In our modern world, Drake (is he today’s modern philosopher?) defines a good life as YOLO: you only live once, usually used to persuade friends to take risks or do something they normally would not do. Well, you do really live once, and therefore only have one chance.

My grandfather has told me many stories about the hardship in his life and how that has rewarded him, and I believe in his definition as the better standard to a good life. This is the man who wore his first shoes at the age of 16; worked the fields sowing rice in ankle deep mud pools all day only to come home to gather hay for the cows. Eventually, my grandfather decided to move to Africa, for an opportunity to better his family. He travelled by a steam liner for a month across the Indian Ocean in the third class compartment. When in Africa, he worked hard for a few years and eventually started his own little grocery, which eventually grew to a full department store. After twenty years in Africa, he was able to visit India again, this time in an airplane. His lifelong dream of educating his son also came true when my dad earned his engineering degree in England.

When I think about my life, I see myself subconsciously applying many values from my grandfather’s experiences. In my own way, I have struggled in my academics and sports. In my first AP class last year, I struggled to keep up with the pace of the course, my first couple test grades were not good, and the so-called American Experiment was a book of hieroglyphics to me. However, through hard work, stubborn determination, and resourcefulness I was able to finish the class, successfully.

So is YOLO the way to go? You do not really start to recognize the importance of school and good grades until 11th grade, when you are bombarded with standardized test prep, college mailings, and AP classes. And then, you realize, what have I been doing these past two years? So, moral of the story: work hard! Do not take high school lightly. It is your key to success, and it is possible to work hard and still have fun. You only graduate once (YOGO) and if you do not do it right, you could lose that chance, and mess up your opportunity for college. College is where it is at, my friends. It is a goal to your future that MUST be attained. So we may only live once, but if we do it right, once is enough.

Sincerely,
Sonam Parag