{"id":24335,"date":"2019-05-31T22:39:02","date_gmt":"2019-06-01T03:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.imsa.edu\/acronym\/?p=24335"},"modified":"2019-05-31T22:39:02","modified_gmt":"2019-06-01T03:39:02","slug":"seniors-speak-things-i-wish-i-knew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.imsa.edu\/acronym\/2019\/05\/31\/seniors-speak-things-i-wish-i-knew\/","title":{"rendered":"Seniors Speak: Things I Wish I Knew"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the sections included in the annual Senior Edition is a series of essays titled Seniors Speak. These works are written and submitted to <\/em>The Acronym by members of the graduating class, allowing them to reflect on their experiences, share advice, and advocate for change. The writer of this piece is Charlotte Giff (SLU ’23<\/em>), who lived in 1502A wing during her senior year. She was actively involved in Cross Country and Track, and was a co-president of ISP.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I tell people about my IMSA experience, I often get asked, \u201cIf you could go back, would you do it again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve thought a lot about that question. Perhaps I could\u2019ve gone to a public high school in Chicago, received a completely different education, made different friends, and participated in different extracurriculars. Maybe I never would\u2019ve participated in the activities I feel define my IMSA career: running and photography.  The idea of living a completely different life has intrigued me at times, but as a senior with two months left, the notion of not attending IMSA terrifies me. It would mean leaving behind the closest friendships I\u2019ve ever made, leaving the dorm room where I spent hours working on homework and clash movies, talking and laughing with friends, crying, and everything in between. It means leaving my cross country team and leaving the studio where I discovered my passion for photography. It means leaving the community of people I\u2019ve found solace in. <\/span><\/p>\n

So I always respond \u201cYes. I would absolutely do it again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, I can\u2019t help but feel that, if I had the power to go back, I\u2019d change some things. I\u2019d give my past self advice and learn how to maneuver situations I could\u2019ve never envisioned as a naive sophomore who barely understood herself, much less those around her. I realize now, that this advice is not simply applicable to my IMSA experience, but in many ways, to all IMSA students that want to understand what IMSA is really like. So, here are my top five bits of advice. <\/span><\/p>\n

1.) Take time to get to know the people around you. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sophomore year, I remember how dramatic every friend group seemed. People gossiped about who broke up with who, when, why and how. It seemed like people cared about anything but themselves, and I couldn\u2019t help but be a bystander and participant in the endless judgement that circulated campus.  I avoided people I\u2019d heard things about out of fear of being judged myself. And yet, the very people I avoided ended up becoming my closest friends junior and senior year. I\u2019ve realized that word of mouth is anything but accurate or justifiable. <\/span><\/p>\n

2.) Take time for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the flurry of work, extracurricular activities, SIR, college applications, and relationships that is the IMSA experience, there seems to be little time to take care of yourself. Throughout my time at IMSA, I found myself being a sort of therapist. I\u2019d listen to each of my friends as they told me their problems, cried to me about their stressors. My friendships became emotionally draining rather than fulfilling, and eventually, I withdrew myself from my community of friends. IMSA has a huge mental health problem, and the negativity that swirls around campus can seem stifling, which is why I realized how important it was to dedicate time to myself. Surround yourself with people that stimulate you, not people that drag you down. <\/span><\/p>\n

3.) Figure out your work\/life balance.<\/span><\/p>\n

This one\u2019s a bit more technical but definitely just as important as the first two. I remember during sophomore year, I spent hours working on homework and accomplishing less than I do now in shorter quantities of time. I hadn\u2019t figured out what worked for me, so I was working inefficiently. I didn\u2019t write down my assignments in a planner, so I\u2019d ask other people when I forgot, or try to remember everything (which never worked). I didn\u2019t keep myself accountable for my work, and no one else cared enough to help. The truth is, most people won\u2019t care enough to help you figure things out. It\u2019s your responsibility to reach out to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.) Don\u2019t compare yourself to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

This goes hand in hand with number 3. It\u2019s easy to think that someone else\u2019s study habits work for you. Some people finish all of their homework during their free mods, or right before ten and then go to sleep, while some people prefer working on it early in the morning or late into the night.  Try out different things and see what works for you! Having had a sibling at IMSA who aced every class, I felt embarrassed to admit that it was harder for me. I never even asked her for advice because I felt that she\u2019d judge me for not knowing it myself. My parents often compared us and our academic performances, and I overlooked my strengths because I only saw hers. Whether you\u2019re at IMSA or in the real world, there will always be someone smarter, stronger, faster, who\u2019s done more research for longer, had more experience, etc. The only way to be happy with yourself is to find your passions, and that\u2019s something I can truly say I\u2019ve done now. <\/span><\/p>\n

5.) Peer pressure is real — don\u2019t give in<\/span><\/p>\n

At IMSA, I\u2019ve experienced a fair amount of peer pressure. From the unconscious collective mindset that getting less sleep is indicative of strength, to peers coping with mental illness through substance abuse, I\u2019ve often felt encouraged to do things that I recognized weren\u2019t good for me. At times, it will become hard to distinguish whether you are doing things because they\u2019ve been deemed socially acceptable versus their relevance and necessity in your life. Stay true to yourself, because ultimately no one can define you if you define yourself first.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, however, remember to have fun! IMSA will go by insanely fast, so by the time you\u2019re a second semester senior like me, make sure you\u2019ve done something to be proud of. Spend time getting to know yourself and others, and enjoy IMSA, because while it may certainly be the most stressful three years of your life, it\u2019ll also be the most transformative and memorable experience you\u2019ve ever had. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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