Assignment 24: Joshua Pe

Three years ago I was naïve, and I still am. I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future, but with junior year only a few days to closing, I think I’ve at least narrowed the focus on what I’d like to do. Finding some direction is at least some progress, and that’s a success considering all my failures. Some other successes are that I passed my driving test first try and I haven’t gotten into a crash yet. I’ve had small successes here and there but nothing too noteworthy, rather just little developments.

I’ve had many failures. I failed my New Year’s Resolution, although I expected that to happen. I failed keeping snapchat streaks. I failed being more outgoing. I failed my goal of not procrastinating. Many, many things I’ve failed.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to plan ahead. Planning ahead is what kept our ancestors alive and it’s what keeps civilization moving. I did not realize the importance of planning until time and time again I either got crunched on time or things fell through.

The greatest risks I’ve taken are applying myself. I’ve been rejected a lot of times, and I’ve still yet to get over the fear. I applied myself to numerous positions and programs. Almost all of them did not select me. At least I tried though. I’ve had more rejections than acceptances, but they are all growing moments. I’m recognizing how to be better.

The largest mistakes I made were not planning ahead. I ran out of time and could not apply to some summer programs. I did not plan ahead how I would drive home after late nights out. I did not plan whom I’d go to prom with. All of these things demonstrated that planning is key.

This summer, I’m going to be learning. I don’t have a summer program or anything. I did not apply to GSP or any camps or anything. I tried applying for a few positions but they all found someone better than me. I’m beaten up but still positive for this summer. I’d like to explore different things that I did not have time for these past semesters. I hope to do more cooking. I hope to start on my mentoring project. I hope to take a road trip around and explore outside of Lexington.

Senior year I’m not taking any breaks. I’m planning it to be much like junior year academically, which is why I’m taking this summer to get most of my college applications sorted. I’m planning to take 6 classes (5 APs and Spanish 4), mentoring, two independent studies. It’ll be hell but I need to learn more.