“Scoff” “you’re only taking one AP junior year…” Now this would be the first of many judgemental comments I would receive after choosing to take one AP class. 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “That’ll look so good on your college application.” Why does everything have to be about college? I’m not saying that I don’t think education is important, but the first thing that comes to mind when someone is passionate about an activity is to put on a piece of paper. Have we lost touch with reality? 

Let’s be real here (no pun intended,) college has become more than a goal, it's become people’s only source of self esteem and unhealthy competition.

Obviously you’re competing with thousands of other students for a spot at a school. It’s gone way past that. People need to know what everyone else is doing so they can make sure to take harder classes to compete with you when applying to college. People brag about the fact that they take all AP classes and cry themselves to sleep at night. I think that’s a huge accomplishment, but taking hard classes is not an excuse to belittle someone else. 

People can be smart in all different ways. You could be an incredible public speaker or talented singer. Just because you don’t have a 4.0 GPA does not mean you don’t have value.

I want to leave with one piece of advice. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Focus on what’s best for YOU and what YOU’RE passionate about. College does not define success. YOU get to decide what you get to decide what you want your future to look like and how you get there.