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September 20, 2005
Conforming Not Always Good
In my recent conversations with college counselors I've found that this generation is quick to conform to authority, succumbs to peer pressure in regards to the college search, is overworked, and tends to take on activities that they feel college admission offices find attractive. Well I'd like to tell you that these are for the most part, not attractive things.
Be who you are and honest with yourself. I want to recruit individuals to Albright that want to be part of a community. A community is made up of people with different beliefs, ideals, morals, and interests. A community also needs leaders who are willing to speak their mind and express a point of view that may not be the most popular. And by doing so the leader may educate the group.
Be who you are and honest with yourself. Don't get involved in an activity because you think it is what colleges and universities want to see. Participate because you enjoy and are passionate about an activity. Ungenuine dedication to an activity is not very attractive and will only take you away from the things you enjoy.
Be who you are and honest with yourself. Find the college or university that is right for you despite what your classmates think. You are the one that has to be comfortable with your college choice. You have to take the classes, eat the food, live in the residence halls, make relationships, go to concerts, support your fellow students, discuss topics of the day with professors and graduate, not your classmates who may unintentionally pressure you in a direction you aren't comfortable with.
Be who you are and honest with yourself. Don't be afraid to question the norm and authority. This is how change is created. Please remember that there is a right and a wrong way of questioning authority, but if done correctly great things can occur. If you do not agree with someone, question them, create dialogue and learn from each other.
As for being overworked? That is a tough one. I'm going to have to put some more time into that.
Posted by Chris Boehm at September 20, 2005 1:41 PM