Due Wednesday, 27. February 2013
Okay, I tried this a few weeks ago and got different answers than I intended. Good feedback for me: bad prompt, try again with different words; see if they understand what you mean. So here goes. My question is this: You are all planning to attend college or university next year. Most universities offer an amazing number of activities for you to become involved with in addition to your classes and studies. They encourage you to "try something new, something you have never considered before."
Last time I asked this, most of you wrote about secret passions that you already have experience in. This time take a quick look at the student life or student activities section on one of your uni choice websites. Or even read the list of majors/departments. What one thing that you've never thought about before jumps out at you and makes you think "hmm. That sounds interesting, maybe I'll try it."
I looked at my undergraduate university and found these things in a cursory perusal: Redlands Investment Fund (club of students interested in learning about stocks and other investments), African Drumming Ensemble, Camping SoCal ( camping trips run through the student activities office - all equipment provided), study abroad program in Australia or England (I'd like to be able to enjoy everything about the country, so English is a bonus), taking a class in life drawing, cleaning the R on the mountain (a trip to literally clean up the Ron the mountain - pulling weeds, etc. so it show up more.) Choose ONE idea from one of your schools and briefly explain why it appeals to you.
Most people know me as the type of person who likes be in control. At least, that’s what I think. Personally, when something isn’t going my way, I stress, I panic, and I think that nothing will work out. I know, I know, it’s one of those characteristics about myself that I am not too proud about, but hey, it’s me! At American University, the Student Government attracted my eye. Their goals are to integrate different communities at the university, address campus life issues, as well as organize events for the school. I can honestly say that throughout my entire high school career, that is exactly what I have been doing and it surely isn’t something that I would like to stop anytime soon. Taking part in the student council starting from my freshman year until my senior year has really shaped me into influencing my preferences as a leader.
ReplyDeleteJust think about it! Their student government, I am guessing, is completely different from TASOK’s student council. First of all, TASOK’s high school is composed of about 400 students, 17 of which are part of the student council. Imagine the size of the student government committee at American University where there is an undergraduate population of about 5,000. When they say that they want to integrate different communities at the university, they don’t mean trying to integrate the small cliques at TASOK composed of 3-5 people but instead integrating more than 4,000 individuals. The beauty of working together as a leadership committee in order to strengthen relationships between individuals really makes it all the more interesting. With my diverse background, experience, and ability to communicate efficiently, I believe that this goal, to join the Student Government committee, will be achieved.
FYI, TASOK's high school only has about 100 students. We have less than 400 k - 12.
DeleteI like the way you explained how this would be something new for you. While you are correct, it will be different from TASOK's StuCo group, it is student governance and you have been involved in student government for the last four years. Isn't there anything at any of these schools that is completely foreign to you that you would like to try? SCUBA training? Being part of the farming community? Habitat for Humanity? Golf, water ballet, electric car? i'm trying to think of things you might not have done in the past, but anything new would do. Perhaps something where you are specifically a follower. I love sitting #3 in an outrigger canoe specifically because all I do there is paddle and count. I am not the steersman, not the stroker - just someone who follows the leader.
ReplyDelete“This group is for those interested and related to those on the continent of African and their descendents. We share music, language, dance, and all aspects of culture with members. All are welcome.” A club that I found very appealing while surfing through Bowdoin University’s website is African Studies. I know for a fact that nostalgia’s going to hit me hard for the first few weeks in university. So, it would be a healthy choice to be a part of this club, which is probably the closest I can be to home.
ReplyDeleteI picture a group of white American students sitting in a circle with a complete misconception of Africa and stating absurd comments such as “Do you ride elephants?” “I picture huts” “Is there Internet?” “Do you use phones?” But in a way, that’s what would make me a great candidate for this club. I’ll teach them a little something new. Give them an image of Africa that they would have never imagined. I’ll give them a taste of My Africa. What it is like being an expat in the DRC. Being raised in the heart of Africa, I know I would be an ideal student for the African Studies club with my ethnically/culturally diverse background.
People generally judge this continent based on what they see on the news, which is not necessarily accurate. I’m excited to share my crazy stories with everyone and give them a different outlook towards this amazing continent, share my traumatizing and uplifting experiences with them. This would add a spark to the African Studies club at Bowdoin University!
While not completely new to you, at least you do show evidence of looking at the school closely. What if you go there, join the club and they are all Africans? Or Expats?
DeleteAlthough there is no doubt that I would join my undergraduate university’s Student Government, I would also love to try some sort of new dance such as belly or ballroom dancing. I mean, some of us have only seen these types of dance on TV, while others have gotten the chance to watch them LIVE in other countries. Truth is, I’ve only seen these types of dance on TV and whenever I did, my mouth would drop down in awe. “How do they shake their hips like that? How do they move so swiftly on heels?” I would always ask those watching with me. It all seemed so difficult. When I saw these activities listed on Boston University’s website, I knew immediately it was time for me to answer my own questions, to try something new.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always felt that by living in Kinshasa, we have been deprived of the countless number of opportunities that would be available to us if we lived in countries such as the U.S, Canada, or any other well-developed country. When we go off to university in 4 months, our minds will get the chance to explore and discover new interests and activities that we would have never imagined doing, and with those interests, we will discover our inner selves and who we really are.
Hopefully, once I begin to enjoy these types of dance, continue to attend classes, and manage to shake my hips and glide swiftly with my heels on, I assure you that the next time I watch ballroom or belly dancing, I’ll smile at the thought of having challenged myself at something new and achiev
Belly dancing, hunh? Hmmm. Ballroom, too. Pretty diverse. Do you do any Indian dance?
DeleteWell, South African universities are very different to the colleges in the United States with the fact that there not a lot of extracurricular activities. One extracurricular activity offered in the University of Pretoria that catches my eye each time is the women’s rugby team, I know, sounds crazy, Noni on a rugby team!? I don’t think so! However, it seems cool, it is a sport that is typically expected to be played by men because girls just can’t get rough, I beg to differ. Women believe and have the ability to do all that men can do, so I believe that joining the team will prove that point. I am a strong believer of woman empowerment, and would do anything to prove not only to the stereotypes, that woman cannot do what men can do, but also to all women that we can.
ReplyDeletePeople close to me will know that I am gentle and dislike rough textures; me playing rugby would be a surprise to most. I am scared of the thought of playing it but I think in the long run it will make me tougher, not just physically but also emotionally. I am a very emotional being, I easily get emotionally attached to people and things and my emotions change instantaneously, so playing a rough sport such as rugby will most definitely make me tougher and in the process I will be trying something I never thought I ever would. Trying something new in a new environment and lifestyle will be great; it will be like starting a new life with new challenges and goals to be achieved. Rugby will bring scars and bruises but those will be like monuments of memories so I can tell my children one day about the good old days when I used to play Rugby.
I don't really know exactly what this entails, but I have a girlfriend who played in college and she still has fond memories of it. I can see you knocking people about.
DeleteI have always had the idea of standing on a big platform and having people to look at me then at the end just end up clapping; this is why in college I am planning on doing drama as an activity. I know that it may sound sort of weird but I use to do drama back in grade 9, 8,7 and the main reason why I have told myself that I was never going to be up on a stage again was because I remember in grade when with the drama class in south Africa when were asked to performing the scene of apartheid in South Africa, I was a Zulu man that was protesting against apartheid in South Africa and we were performing I a big stage in front of the entire school and other guest. People knew that I was one of the best actor so most of my friends and family members came t o seat in front where they could have a clear view of the play and everything is going fine until when I stepped forward to talk, I don’t know how I ended up falling off a big stage in front of so many people , and when I got up every one was laughing at me and from that day I told myself that I was never ever again act in my entire life. Now in college I am ready to overcome that stage fear that I have had for the past 3 years and I know that acting is one of the things that I’m best good at so why wouldn’t I give it another try again in my life.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It is scary to risk it all - especially in a second (or third or forth) language, but when it goes well, it's soooo worth it. And I agree, you do have excellent stage presence.
ReplyDeleteThe college that I am going to attend to is mainly for Interior Designing, so I am not open to any sort of activity, club, or programs, unlike my fellow classmates that will have tons of different activities provided for them to choose. My college is simply for Interior Design hence, it only provides courses related to this subject. However am not disappointed at all because, the fact itself that am going to an Interior Designing school is new to me. I have not had any sort of prior training or taken course that are associated to this subject so, it is a completely novel piece for me. Moreover, the other reason that am not disappointed is because, I will be living in India, I could do any other activity that I find interesting. However, there would be courses that I have to take such as 3-D computer aided drawing, furniture designing, and lighting designing which are completely new for me and, I am not aware of anything in this section. So, it’s already too many new things going around that, I do not regret on not having any sort of activity or club provided by my college.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have at least an idea of the things you will be doing & that you plan to enjoy all of them. Go Karima!
ReplyDeleteCollege, as a whole, has been the most stressing subject of my 2012-2013 year. It is already half way through March, and I still have not heard from one of my top choices. My dad, having spent his college years at Boston University, has actually inspired me to follow the same path. When I see how much he has done for himself and our family, I come to my senses and realize that I too want to do the same and be as supportive as he is. I obviously always wanted to be greater than my dad, and till today I set goals larger than he ever did. But after being rejected from my top choice, Babson College, I was slightly demoralized. Reading the rejection letter made me think differently, as I came to understand that being great would not come from beating my father, but in fact leveling up to him does the job for me.
ReplyDeleteWhy do things look as they do? This question has always been in my mind, and the answer lies in those psychology books that I never imagine myself picking up. Without knowing anything about perception and behavior of a human, I have a feeling studying psychology at Boston University will have an impact of me. I always imagined the Brain to be ambiguous in its functions, but in high school I was introduced to “psychology” the study of the human mind and its functions. It is not that I have never considered studying psychology, it’s that I never realized this subject answered a lot of questions I still have in mind. Psychology, from what I’ve heard and read, is a subject that requires less analyzing and that has more definitions and theories. After writing this blog, I going to try and make sure that I take this course.
I could actually see you falling in love with it an changing your whole course of life: somehow tying psyc and golf together.
DeleteI am quite sure ‘www.tasokseniorenglish.blogspot.com’ has had enough of my stories with science. I really want to go to The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). AIIMS though has a special program in sports. Physical Education has not been a part of my life ever since tenth grade neither did I want it to be in my life. However, now it seems like I am gaining weight logistically. Last year I was 50Kg and now I weigh 58 Kg. That is so abnormal for me; it is sad how much fat I have on my body. It is about time that I became a little active. Therefore, I have promised myself as well as my dad that I will surely take a course in physical education, where not only will I learn about the human body but also have the incentive to work out.
ReplyDeleteI always have my dad telling me every day how lazy I am and how ironic it is that I want to be a doctor, yet I have the unhealthiest lifestyle. It should be noted that the only reason I want to take P.E. in college is that I do not want to be fat. It is not something that I really look forward to but I will finally be all sporty after a long time.
sounds fun. find something you love and maybe it will become a lifelong passion.
DeleteThere is a degree at Bethel called Sacred Music, and it sounds very interesting to me. From the description it sounds very worthwhile and enjoyable. It is basically a branch of music that focuses more on the performance and study of hymns and worship music. This degree is mostly for people who will lead worship in churches. But I suppose it could also be taken my people who are interested in writing and producing that type of music.
ReplyDeleteGod made everything including sound, which includes music, so I see no better use of people’s musical skills than to write and perform music that praises Him. In that sense, this musical degree is pretty much a more focused musical degree: focused on the true purpose of music. That is why i think that it would be a very interesting and good to major in. I know I am going to be doing things with music in my life, and I also know that God will be the center of everything I do, including making music, so this would be a great thing for me to learn about.
Even though this is still music it is totally different from the other music majors that I have looked at before. So it would be trying something new. It is more than just learning about the characteristics of music and how to write it, it’s about the characteristics of sacred music and how to write and appreciate that type of music. Once again, I think I would enjoy it.
hmm. I wonder if this could somehow tie into your computer science? I have a friend who writes electronic music for a living. computer generated scared music? or somehow using the technology to share this music with the world....
Deleteat any rate, enjoy.
Like Esperance I want to try acting in College. Last year I was in drama and I participated to a few plays and went on stage several times in my life. Unfortunately this year I could not take drama class because of AP calculus but I really want to join a play next year just for fun. I really like being on stage because it gets me sensations I do not have anywhere else; in real life I may sometimes be shy or interact differently with people but on stage I feel almost at a ninety percent myself. At first it makes me nervous and I imagine all sorts of ways I could fail, but then I feel that I have everything under control and that I am just having a lot of fun. I even forget about the audience. I think that being in a play can help me getting a lot of confidence and focusing for college. To me theater can help me much for the kind of studies I want to do next year; movie producing. In the cinema production acting may help understanding the actors; it’ll help me understanding their roles and what they are going through during shootings.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the complete focus it requires. Like surfing, you must be completely engrossed in the here and now or you will get in trouble. We don't have many places left in our 21st century lives that commands this - or even allows it.
ReplyDeleteI have not even started applying for my Korean colleges but I know what I want to try. One of the activities that I passionately wanted to do was, as I said before, lead singing in a rock band. If you ask me to choose another activity, I would say… Musical! (I am surprised how bad I want to sing in University). I realize that I have never taken drama class and I am a horrible actress but I believe I CAN SING – What could be more beneficial to a musical actress than great singing ability? Sometimes, I even think and write down my ideas and try to come up with a written play. May be instead of acting, I should try directing the actors… By writing music, choreographing steps and directing the stage, I cannot be more creative than that! According to some information I have heard, there are musical performance teams in some Korean Universities and they perform for the children in orphanages. What could be more exciting than singing and enjoying with kids who feels that they are abandoned from the society? I believe this activity will bring me a very important message that will help and aid my life and also bring the kids an enjoyment that cannot be felt often too.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot more activities I want to join – Environment Protecting Circle, Student Government, Musical, Choir, etc. Musical would be my top choice from this list of things I want to try. I am a bit afraid but I will either learn how to act or how to direct and manage to participate in University Musical Performance Team. Exciting!
You have the formal music background so you will be able to navigate your way through the musical system well. Also, the whole idea of directing parallels your desire to work in communications. Have a blast. Sing your heart out. "A life without music is not worth living." F.N..
ReplyDeleteI am a pretty reserved person like many people have figured out so far, and I have a hard time putting myself under the spotlight in front of many people or just people I do not know, who are complete strangers to me. One of the reasons I am looking forward to college is to try new things. I am not sure of what group I will join but I’m decided to do something I haven’t done yet and which really brings me out of my comfort zone. I want to see how far I can push my limits to, trying something and extreme.
ReplyDeleteI am planning to join some type of activity or group that involves a lot of presenting. Something that involves putting yourself forward and going out their presenting or giving speeches. I am going to be frightened by the prospect of it but I know after time I will get used to it. I guess the only way to fight your fear is to face it. With the maturity I will acquire of college I think involving myself in an activity like such will be a little easier. But I really want to try some activity close to that, because it will be very different, a surge of excitement, thrill and fear. A group that has nothing to do with who I am, what I have done, or what I am good at. I will probably try joining the debate group or something.
I love it! You are very natural in front of an audience and I'm sure you will have a great time!
ReplyDeleteI took a look at some of the activities they offer at the college I will be attending, and most of them I was pretty queen on trying seeing that the campus is so close to the water. One activity I hadn’t thought about taking up though is horseback riding. I had tried it once when I was younger, but haven’t been on a horse in years.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to stay in one place for several years, will allow me to try things such as horseback riding. I don’t know if I’ll like it, but I definitely see the benefit in knowing how to ride a horse. Especially since, I quiet like horses, and though most of our society no longer uses horses as a means of transport. I feel it’s a skill I’ll be glad to have acquired. Though I must say, I do not look forward to falling off, but like a bicycle I will just have to learn to get back up and try again.
I took riding as an adult. Generally, they take it very slow. They won't have you falling off.
DeleteOMG guys it is the end. It is the end. This is our last week guys, all the stress accumulated through out the year, with college applications, AP classes, regular classes. And now we have only one week, just one week to survive. Then we are heading far from here. We are bout to leave everything we have known like Doris said for a new experience and world. I see this departure as an opportunity to try something, I promised myself to be spontaneous and join the first group or activity that gives me a tract or pamphlet.
ReplyDeleteCollege will be happening during my young years which I plan to live to the fullest, because I want to keep fond memories of these upcoming 4years.Trying something new is all I’m looking forward to when I go to college. I want to be able to say that my life was directed through impulse, pure impulse. Whatever it is I decide to do I hope it will be outdoors and extreme because It is not my genre and I have no knowledge or skills in extreme sports and outdoor activities, like hiking, sky diving, motor cross, kayaking, I could go on forever, the list is long so I will stop here. Kumu you have my word that whatever I will do in college or partake in will be something unexpected and so different from my personality and abilities. You will hear stories of them.