<p>New poster, though I've lurked quite a bit.</p>
<p>Everyone I've talked to and I've also read on admission sites/CC, colleges want you to 'find your passion' and 'be yourself'.</p>
<p>I've heard suggestions of Cal Newport and skimmed it, but I still don't quite get how. </p>
<p>That's fine and good, but how do you 'find it'?</p>
<p>I went through various phases in my short life, and I liked one thing for a few years, another thing for another few years...anyone have suggestions?</p>
<p>Well, I’m not going to be much of a help here, but I did develop a passion: piano. Started playing it when I was 6, and even though I’ve had some rough times, it’s been great and I love it.</p>
<p>Anything you particularly enjoy? Maybe you enjoy science? Join a science club (HOSA, FIRST Robotics, etc…), etc…</p>
<p>If you find your passion/something you like, stick with it and develop something.</p>
<p>Well if you’d really read Cal Newport’s stuff, you’d know he has this thing of having unorganized “idea” time. Basically, by not overloading yourself with stupid **** like Key Club, you take an hour or so each day to pursue something you found interesting that day. Maybe it was a book you studied in class, or an article about manatees in a science magazine, or whatever. Then, if you have continued interest in that thing over a period of a couple of days, pursue it deeper, etc., and voila, you’ve found something you’re interested in. Don’t worry about the whole do-or-die passion scenario. Interests, once you find them, don’t have to culminate in passions, but they could. For a high schooler, it’s fine to just have interests that you devote thought and time to.</p>
<p>just adding on the the previous 2 posts: often someone’s passion is something they’re naturally good at, and after they pursue their passion they become great at it. That might be somewhere to start.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’ll definitely reread his book, and try to get into whatever I like. I like lots of things, so I’d better time manage but I think this will really help me realize what I’m into. I like everything from politics to biochem, so much exploring is needed. </p>
<p>Do you think a passion something that you automatically know that you love, or something that develops?</p>
<p>I think it can be either, but most often develops over time. Sometimes you think you’re passionate about one thing but you realize you are actually passionate about something totally different than what you though.</p>
I just can’t quite figure myself out…lol</p>
You all are awesome!</p>