benjones's "50 Things"

Parents Forum
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<p>Even though my son is now entering his second year at MIT, I still follow the admissions blog of Ben Jones<a href="who%20posts%20on%20CC%20as%20benjones">/url</a>. Today he posted a farewell of sorts to the MIT Class of '10, as he begins to focus on the upcoming applications from the Class of '11. He has posted a poignant and awesome [url=ben.mitblogs.com/archives/2006/08/50_things.html]"50 Things" list, things he wants incoming students to think about and take to heart. I recommend everyone take a few moments to go read them. They are reminders of things that are important, some of which regularly go unsaid.</p>

<p>Some of my favorites:
[quote]
Your friends will change a lot over the next four years. Let them.</p>

<p>Welcome failure into your lives. It's how we grow. What matters is not that you failed, but that you recovered.</p>

<p>It's important to think about the future, but it's more important to be present in the now. You won't get the most out of college if you think of it as a stepping stone.</p>

<p>Every once in awhile, there will come an especially powerful moment when you can actually feel that an experience has changed who you are. Embrace these, even if they are painful.</p>

<p>Don't always lead. It's good to follow sometimes.

[/quote]
Heck, there are too many gems, I don't want to keep quoting and spoiling the flow! Read it yourselves and ponder. And smile.</p>

<p>Thank you again, Ben, for being so awesome and for knowing what's important.</p>

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<p>^Ben's great, I really like his posts they're really so helpful (and this is coming from a guy Ben rejected!)</p>

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<p>Matt McGann's blog (<a href="http://matt.mitblogs.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://matt.mitblogs.com/&lt;/a&gt;) was one of the things that helped keep me sane when S1 was applying to schools (also Class of '09). I've emailed links to it to many parents whose kids are applying to elite schools.</p>

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<p>This is a great list!</p>

<p>I just printed it for my daughter who leaves in 10 days. We laughed at a bunch (like the tattoo one she's discussed) but there's some great advice in there.</p>

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<p>Another Ben Jones classic. Already copied it and sent it to my daughter. Thanks, Mootmom.</p>

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<p>Thanks mootmom. Some fun thoughts to share with our children. Plan to send it to our son after he's at school a few weeks.</p>

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<p>Thank you for posting this! I've sent it off to my son already!</p>

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<p>My favorites (incoming freshman perspective):</p>

<p>
[quote]
In ten years very few of you will look as good as you do right now, so secretly revel in how hot you are before it's too late.</p>

<p>Make a complete ass of yourself at least once, preferably more. It builds character.</p>

<p>Wednesday is the middle of the week; therefore on wednesday night the week is more than half over. You should celebrate accordingly.</p>

<h1>Tattoos are permanent. Be very certain.</h1>

<h1>Don't make fun of prefrosh. That was you like 2 hours ago.</h1>

<h1>Enjoy every second of the next four years. It is impossible to describe how quickly they pass.</h1>

<h1>This is the only time in your lives when your only real responsibility is to learn. Try to remember how lucky you are every day.

[/quote]
</h1>

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<p>Thanks mootmom. As always, Ben writes eloquently and from the heart. Those blogs helped so much as we went through the process last year. I think I will print it out for DD . </p>

<p>I especially like the one where he mentions burning a CD from time to time for journalling purposes. I remember making cassettes of my favorite songs. When I hear these "oldies" (who says Barbara Streisand and James Taylor are old?!!) it brings back fond memories.</p>

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<p>Thank you for posting that mootmom!!
VERY inspirational, much needed words of encouragement and advice!! I saved the site and will show it to my daughter who heads to college in about 20-days!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the post. If only my son would read it all....</p>

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<p>Thanks for the post. Last night I put my D on a plane to Boston and Tufts. I sent this email to her. I also sent it to all the parents I know who have freshmen...........</p>