<p>I'm really glad that my post sparked so much discussion; and to those of you who mentioned it, I am in no way suggesting that a good social life must include getting drunk. It's fun for me and my friends, but if you choose not to drink, right on.</p>
<p>I'm really glad to see that there are a lot of other kids like me who think that a social life is important; if anyone has read Paulo Freire's "Banking" Concept of Education, you might notice some inconsistencies.</p>
<p>Unpaper, the "real" point of having a social life is for one's own enjoyment, not for any sort of gain (such as a leadership position or whatnot). It seems to me that too many kids on this site will ask themselves before every single decision they make whether or not that decision will help them with their admissions chances.</p>
<p>No, but I would if my school wasn't made up of total biatchess...Also, I'd rather NOT drink every night (as most of the "social life" talk means in my area)...I'm way more outgoing and social with smart, focused people who know how to study hard and party hard. Also, who's to say that a good social life in hs is most important? Personally, I'd rather work my butt off now (where I don't connect with anyone) and get into a great school with really smart, motivated people. I went to a selective summer program and had the best time of my life for three weeks compared to the two years I've spent in hs.</p>
<p>I voluntarily don't have much of a social life. I'm just a very sociable person, I guess. XP But I also don't work my butt off in school. Or at least, I don't think I am. To someone else, I might be. X'D</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm really glad that my post sparked so much discussion; and to those of you who mentioned it, I am in no way suggesting that a good social life must include getting drunk. It's fun for me and my friends, but if you choose not to drink, right on.</p>
<p>I'm really glad to see that there are a lot of other kids like me who think that a social life is important; if anyone has read Paulo Freire's "Banking" Concept of Education, you might notice some inconsistencies.</p>
<p>Unpaper, the "real" point of having a social life is for one's own enjoyment, not for any sort of gain (such as a leadership position or whatnot). It seems to me that too many kids on this site will ask themselves before every single decision they make whether or not that decision will help them with their admissions chances.
[/quote]
I agree with this statement much more than your original invective post. I think that social life can come from many aspects, whether it's going to a football game, watching movies, or just going to a friend's house. It doesn't have to consist of going to a party, get drunk and don't remember anything the next morning.</p>
<p>Most people realize that the smart sacrifice is the one that sacrifices the enjoyment of youth for the enjoyment of future life. The only reason that capitalists became the most powerful people on the planet is because they utilized that philosophy where they sacrificed the present for the future, just like we are doing now.</p>
<p>I use to have a big social life. But I realized it anhilted my academics way too much, so I completely threw it away. Thanks to that my average went from a 80 something the year i had a sweet social life to a 100 avg now. I'm VERY happy with the way it is turning out.</p>
<p>I would say that the students posting in the chances thread are very atypical. To me a lot of it is really ridiculous..."I have a 4.569394 GPA and I got 5's on all my APs and I did 30 bazillion activities tell me if I'm going to get into HYPSKSDFJFDK!! Freakin out here!!"</p>
<p>Yeah um...I had a social life in high school. A real big one. And I'm at a college I like now. Yay :)</p>
<p>Perhaps what you all really have discovered is that different things are "okay" for different people. We don't want a world where everyone is the same, some want academics as a priority, some a social life, some a sport, some find research as engaing as a friday night bash. Being one doesn't mean the others are wrong- I wish kids could remember the book "I'm Okay, You're Okay" Having different priorities, dreams and ambitions is what makes AMERICA great. Just BE you...it's okay. (Be careful with the drinking though- it really can get out of control faster than you think)</p>
<p>I don't have many ECs and barely and honors classes. I have a social life though. Every week one day after school we'll play football/basketball for a few hours. Weekends we'll usually have a drinking night.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It's also kinda funny here that people equate having strong ECs with not having a life. I personally believe that it's very possible to do both. Having a social life is what friday and saturday nights are for, and who's to say that you can't be having fun with your friends doing the ECs. I'm on the tennis team with one of my best friends and although it's not quite the same as spending the night out, it's still a chance to talk and whatnot.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not at all, I completely agree with you.</p>
<p>But spending 3 PM - 9 PM in an EC that involves little communication at all, like quite a few I've seen on here, I wouldn't call that a life. But then that person would go around and slam a person who spends their time after school hanging out with friends, saying he has no life. Just something I've seen on here quite a few times.</p>
<p>Why don't ECs count as a 'life'? Unless you're doing them just to get into college, they usually involve fun, enjoyable activities (but ones that make a difference) with people that you like. Seems like socializing to me :)</p>
<p>you answer this question (whether you really wanted it answered or just wanted to critisize overachievers) you have to define "prepared" and for which college. </p>
<p>sacrificing my social life is completely worth what I am doing.</p>
<p>"Most people realize that the smart sacrifice is the one that sacrifices the enjoyment of youth for the enjoyment of future life. The only reason that capitalists became the most powerful people on the planet is because they utilized that philosophy where they sacrificed the present for the future, just like we are doing now.</p>
<p>I use to have a big social life. But I realized it anhilted my academics way too much, so I completely threw it away. Thanks to that my average went from a 80 something the year i had a sweet social life to a 100 avg now. I'm VERY happy with the way it is turning out."</p>
<p>I completely disagree 100%. Most of the fun comes during your youth. What fun of the future life... making money is not true enjoyment. Yes, it is satisfying, but it is very unlikely you will find true happiness. You've got to make memories and have fun during HS and college. I realized that just last year. Enjoyment of youth > enjoyment of adulthood.</p>
<p>I have never really been the type of go and just "hang out" type. It seems so unproductive, though I do enjoy time with friends if the opportunity arises (rarely). Some people just prefer to be alone, and I see nothing wrong with that, contrary to what is conveyed here. I enjoy my own company :) I have an Internet social life, live ones are just too complicated.</p>
<p>I have a good social life and I incorporate those with my ECs. I don't know why you have to have one or the other. I hang out with many of my friends at clubs and since most of my clubs are charity-based, we do charity work together.</p>
<p>I have a handful of very close friends that I hang out with every weekend and an amazing boyfriend that I'm with everyday.</p>
<p>Do I party? No. But that's because I don't like parties, not because I don't have a good social life.</p>
<p>You can balance, but it all depends on what your interpretation of "a good social life" is.</p>
<p>EDIT: Wow, I just realized this was an old dragged up topic that I already posted in. However a few months has slightly changed my view. But not really. haha.</p>
<p>I don't see why both's not an option.
To me, with extracurriculars, they take time but they also save time...in that everything you do (hw, study) you do more efficiently because you're cramped for time.
Plus, work for me is like hanging out with friends, so that helps.</p>