By Sequoia Gregorich, Co-Content Editor
Spring is the time of year that I start to lose my motivation and interest. The gloomy clouds that hang over Vashon all year finally disperse, replaced by a hopeful blue sky and sun. But still we remain in limbo between childhood and adulthood.
We are all beginning to discover our passions and curiosities.
However, many of us are unable to pursue them as, almost robotically, we spend our time accumulating credits. Drained of the grit we once had, we are left defeated.
I cannot handle this life focused solely on the purpose of getting A’s.
It might shock you to find out, but the topic of this article was actually derived during one of the most inspirational weeks of my life.
A few weeks ago, 12 other students and I from both the Riptide and the Yearbook attended journalism classes at Columbia University in New York. We stayed in New York for a total of six days, three of which were spent attending lectures at this Ivy League institution.
I had the freedom to develop my expertise on topics I loved and to explore new topics that intrigued me. To my surprise, I had no trouble focusing. Better yet, I prayed the classes would never end.
Then I was chewed up and spit back out into the world.
My re-entry was the most painful and heartbreaking experience of my education. I had gained a new perspective on my life, but the trip had also opened my eyes to the how limited I am at high school.
I realized how complacent I had been with my drab daily routine. Now, I sit in class feeling frustrated, but anxious. I cannot ignore the subtle reminders that there is more out there for me.
The purpose of school is to educate students and lift them up in a way that helps them discover their passions. It is pointless to spend four years of your life doing something other than what you vehemently love!
Your teenage years are a unique part of your life, and missing out on its best parts in order to get a perfect grade is not worth it.
Grades are important. I am not telling you to disregard them completely. But your future doesn’t hang in the balance if you get an A-minus.
So please, please, please do what you love.
And take a breath because finding fulfillment is worth 100 percent more than any of the assignments you are working on.