Business Manager and Variety Editor Isaac Ramirez, a senior, is illustrated speaking at the upcoming Clarke Central High School Class of 2022 graduation ceremony. Illustration by Eleanor Robinson
As he progresses through the college application process, Business Manager and Variety Editor Isaac Ramirez, a senior, shares some words of wisdom with the Class of 2025.
Dear Class of 2025,
As I write this letter, I am well underway in my college application process. I’m set on which classes I will be taking and have begun applying to different colleges and universities.
After attending a visit by Melinda DeMaria, Associate Director of Admissions for Marketing and Recruitment at the University of Georgia, on Sept. 28 in room 231 at Clarke Central High School, I have a much better understanding of what college admissions officers pay attention to in each of the applications they review.
My biggest takeaway from her visit is that admissions officers will look at many different aspects of your entire high school year, not just your junior and senior years, the traditional time when most people say you should start thinking about action steps past high school.
With that in mind, the biggest piece of advice I have for those who are just starting high school is to stay on top of schoolwork.
As a freshman, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting your high school experience. When I was in ninth grade at CCHS, I let this anticipation distract me from my schoolwork, leading to me not putting in as much effort as I should have.
In simple terms, your actions have consequences.
Although I was frustrated with the grades that this work ethic produced, this taught me that my performance as a freshman would later impact me as a senior.
One thing to take away from this letter is that when applying to colleges and universities, the grades you make during your freshman year will affect you well after your freshman year is over. I learned this lesson long after my opportunities to make up those grades had gone.
In simple terms, your actions have consequences.
It’s important for you all to keep up with schoolwork. I can guarantee that your older self will be thankful for it. Still, it is also important not to get too hard on yourself when it comes to school. I learned that engaging in your hobbies, such as participating in clubs or sports you’re passionate about can help lighten your workload a little as well.
In short, while it may be easy to lose sight of the future because of the excitement of a new journey, you should work to make things easier for your future self. There are plenty of opportunities for you to be successful, so take the initiative and set yourself up for success down the road.
