Ambition will be the end of me. Or at least my GPA.
Throughout the past three months, I have been reading articles in news sources applauding the accomplishments of exemplary college students, those who challenge the status quo and are truly walking models of community leaders. One in particular struck a cord because she is from Maryland (Montgomery Blair High School in Bethesda to be exact). Her name is Melis Anahtar, and she just graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA from MIT, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Biomedical Engineering, as well as completing the national pre-medicine requirements (she hopes to receive an MD/PhD). She was a member of AXO (Alpha Chi Omega, a social sorority), BioMatrix (MIT's tutoring program geared toward students studying life sciences), UROP (some MITesqe way of saying that she did science research, for which she won numerous awards), and numerous other activities. As if the recognition of being named first in class at MIT wasn't prestigious enough, she is a Rhodes Scholar (for which she will be in Oxford for the next 1-2 years earning a Masters degree in Immunology), one of Glamor Magazine's Top 10 College Women, and in the first team of Newsweek Magazine's College All-Stars. I had the pleasure of meeting her this summer at a get-together hosted by one of our common friends, and she is a normal human being, completely down-to-earth and sociable.
What does this have to do with me?
After the horror that was last semester's GPA (fuck CLAS170 and SPAN207 up the ass, for serious), I believe the summer has allowed me to recollect myself and regroup my thoughts. I am all for new beginnings, and this year will be no different. I want to be a Melis Anahtarish figure. What does that mean? I want to be heavily involved in extracurriculars and balance that with a heavy courseload. Specifically, I want to successfully (success = 4.0 GPA) complete 21 credits, be involved in SEE (Student Entertainment Events, the source of all the big concerts and shows that the university puts on, an organization for which I work on the website and listserv), take part in the business school's finance committee, be a member of the Union Advisory Board (a group that oversees all on-campus activity), and pledge a fraternity (this last one is tentative, due to the time and commitment involved). At the same time, I don't want to lose my social life; I still plan to take part in thirsty Thursdays, go to parties on the weekends, and maintain social bonds I have built up last year. How do I plan to do this? Let's just say sleep will have to take the high road... often.
Why do I plan to do this? I think it gives me a balance between academics, a social atmosphere, and campus involvement. If Melis Anahtar can do it at MIT, I should not complain about doing it at Maryland, considering my work probably pales in difficulty when juxtaposed with hers.
I did not write in this journal anywhere near as often as I had hoped to this summer. I apologize. Contrary to belief, I enjoy writing on this. It provides me with an outlet for the mental roller coasters I endure sometimes (which is my way of saying that my mind wanders, not that I'm crazy).
I am moving in tomorrow morning (in a little less than 9 hours, to be exact), and I could not be more excited for what the future has in store for me.
Cheers. Hope to run into you again, journal. Sometime soon would be preferable.
What does this have to do with me?
After the horror that was last semester's GPA (fuck CLAS170 and SPAN207 up the ass, for serious), I believe the summer has allowed me to recollect myself and regroup my thoughts. I am all for new beginnings, and this year will be no different. I want to be a Melis Anahtarish figure. What does that mean? I want to be heavily involved in extracurriculars and balance that with a heavy courseload. Specifically, I want to successfully (success = 4.0 GPA) complete 21 credits, be involved in SEE (Student Entertainment Events, the source of all the big concerts and shows that the university puts on, an organization for which I work on the website and listserv), take part in the business school's finance committee, be a member of the Union Advisory Board (a group that oversees all on-campus activity), and pledge a fraternity (this last one is tentative, due to the time and commitment involved). At the same time, I don't want to lose my social life; I still plan to take part in thirsty Thursdays, go to parties on the weekends, and maintain social bonds I have built up last year. How do I plan to do this? Let's just say sleep will have to take the high road... often.
Why do I plan to do this? I think it gives me a balance between academics, a social atmosphere, and campus involvement. If Melis Anahtar can do it at MIT, I should not complain about doing it at Maryland, considering my work probably pales in difficulty when juxtaposed with hers.
I did not write in this journal anywhere near as often as I had hoped to this summer. I apologize. Contrary to belief, I enjoy writing on this. It provides me with an outlet for the mental roller coasters I endure sometimes (which is my way of saying that my mind wanders, not that I'm crazy).
I am moving in tomorrow morning (in a little less than 9 hours, to be exact), and I could not be more excited for what the future has in store for me.
Cheers. Hope to run into you again, journal. Sometime soon would be preferable.