I write this reflection in the way that I do most of my writing: in bed, late at night, while listening to music. I’ll be the first to say that this probably isn’t the best way of doing this, but here we are.
I spent a good amount of time (that is to say, more than a couple minutes) thinking about what I should write in this reflection. How personal should it be? How funny? How much does my advice just sound like the things that have been repeated time and again? How much will anything I have to say be relatable? Does anyone actually read these reflections? And so, rather than spending 425 words chasing my own metaphorical tail, I’ll try to give a few pointers, both for the readers that remain at Algonquin and for those who are leaving.
DISCLAIMER: This advice should be taken with a grain of salt, as all advice should be taken.
Item 1: Try stuff out. Whether that means trying out for a sport, joining an interesting club, auditioning for a show or taking that elective you’ve been looking at, it is always worth giving something a go before deciding whether or not to do it. One of my biggest regrets is getting involved in so many things I was committed to that I never had the chance to try new things.
Item 2: Find things you love doing. I found that I love jazz, theater and robotics. I know people whose main passion is sports. I know others where that thing is natural sciences. All it takes is one thing, and you’ll always have something you enjoy doing, which can be a bright spot during a bad day.
Item 3: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is pretty friendly when it comes down to it. Teachers want you to learn, and friends are generally available, both for academic help and other advice. A big part of that is always being willing to help when someone asks.
Item 4: Try not to worry so much. Some things deserve worrying, sure, but a fumbled assignment here and there shouldn’t cause all that much stress. This could just be senioritis talking, but you’ll be happier for it.
Item 5: Don’t be stupid. Bad decisions have a tendency to stick with you.
That’s everything. I hope this didn’t come off as saccharine, and that someone reads this and finds some of it helpful. If for some reason anyone wants more advice, my email is [email protected].
Ben Kahn, signing off.
