Wisdom of Youth

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>I am going to bump this post that was written somewhere else on CC (can't find it anymore.) I printed it out to give to my D during this tough time with letters of rejection coming in and choices being made. It was, surprisingly, written by a junior to his or her friends who are seniors. I thought it may help for all who may feel a little stung by college decisions. Here is what was written by this very wise young person:</p>

<p>"O.K. So I am a just a junior and I have not yet endured what you seniors are going through this month with rejection letters and all, but I have experienced a lot of disappointment in my life, so I just want to tell those who feel that all of your efforts in high school were a waste, or that you let yourself or your parents down, or that there is no hope one thing that I have learned: Sometimes disappointment makes us better people.</p>

<p>I once read that birds that live in windy areas grow stronger and live longer than the same species that live in less windy areas. The wind makes these birds develop stronger wings and hearts. It also makes them become more agile hunters. Of course, this is not automatic. To get stronger, the bird has to fly into the wind and learn to deal with it. If the bird avoids the wind or becomes paralyzed by the thought of dealing with it, it won't get stronger. I think the same is true with disappointment. If we let disappointment kill our dreams, then we'll be like the bird that refuses to fly in the wind. However, if we keep trying to reach our dreams no matter what elements we face, I think disappointment has the ability to make us stronger. We become stronger because we become more compassionate, more humble, more caring people. And that's a very good thing. (In fact, haven't you found that those people who achieve every goal they strive for without disappointment are arrogant and uncompassionate? Who wants to be like that?)</p>

<p>The bottom line is that each of you is a valuable person who has a lot to offer society. You may not get to fly the calm skies that you desire, but you will get to fly nonetheless. Don't let any college rejection letter convince you that you are less than you are.</p>

<p>I've spoken to a lot of adults in my life, most of whom went to college. You know what's funny? Many of them were rejected from their top college choice, but each one now looks back on their life and realizes that they ended up being a better person. When I asked a good adult friend why this is true, she told me that when she was our age, she wanted to go to a top school just to validate her hard work. Her ego drove her desires. She then told me that as she got older, she lost that part of her ego and started looking at life differently. I think that will happen to each of us as well.</p>

<p>Anyway, my heart was broken reading some of the posts from people who were recently rejected and I just wanted to share this opinion. I hope each of you keeps positive and continues to have faith in yourselves and your futures."</p>

<p>Wise words from a wise person.....</p>

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<p>Chrissy: I loved the CC post that you shared above. It makes me think of another (CMUJohanna’s story) that was posted on CC a year or 2 ago. I really hope it helps all of the many kids who are dealing with rejection right now. It’s an inspirational story. Here it is:</p>

<p>(Posted by Johanna’s mom on the MT Board): Several CC friends have emailed me and asked if I would add my original post from 2 years ago. I, too, remember those depressing days of rejection and tears, but my daughter has been driven since elementary school to be an actor, and it was clear to all that she was not going to give up. Although the dates are old in the following post, the facts remain the same. </p>

<p>If ever there was a story of determination, it is that of my daughter’s. I am sharing it in the hopes that some of you will be inspired to travel as many paths as you can to achieve your dream. Although my d is currently a senior MT at CMU, it was a long road. Her high school had an impressive post grad center, but the staff knew nothing about MT, the audition process, and the selectivity. She auditioned for Mich, CMU, CCM, and Ithaca and was rejected to all four. She worked through her depression, enrolled in a state college MT program, but remained determined to get accepted to a outstanding MT program. She began the application/audition process all over again- this time as a transfer student. At first my husband and I were reticent, but given her talent, drive, and passion for theater, we quickly agreed to support her efforts. She lengthened her original list of schools adding BoCo, Webster, Emerson, Miami, and FSU, but her first choice remained CMU. She auditioned at the Unifieds in Chicago for most of them and flew to Florida for the remaining two. When she learned in March that she was waitlisted for CMU she was thrilled, but not too hopeful. The acceptance letter arrived the first week in June and boy, did the tears flow! She is leaving for NYC this weekend to perform in the Senior Showcase, after having the lead her junior year (Cunegonde in Candide) and playing Hope in Urinetown this year (which was cast and directed by John Carrafa, the original choreographer from the Broadway show). Right now, life couldn’t be better.</p>

<p>But it wasn’t always like this. There were difficult days when my daughter struggled with rejection, wondering if she was good enough, if she would ever reach her dream. Along the way she has learned valuable lessons of determination, struggle, and self esteem. My heart breaks when I read posts from students who question their talent, their worth. As so many people have said in these posts, there are numerous schools that may be right for you. My d was rejected by all of her choices the first time and accepted to CMU, BoCo, Webster, Emerson, Miami (B.A.), and Mich (voice performance) the second time around. Who knows why? What a school is looking for one year may not be what they need the next year. (i.e. you can have only so many short, blondes females in a program.) </p>

<p>So if theater is your passion, try as many avenues as you can: audition and re-audition, consider many different schools representing different levels of selectivity, choose the perfect audition outfit, take months selecting the right song and then “be that song.” CoachC said it so perfectly in her “Audition Songs” posting yesterday.</p>

<p>In my d’s bedroom at home is a framed card that says, “Never, never, never give up.” She didn’t. And you shouldn’t either.</p>

<p>… I really hopes this helps someone out there. Best of luck to everyone with their decisions!</p>

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<p>I may just like to add something. If you can’t take rejection then maybe this isn’t the right career choice for you. I’m not trying to be rude, but it’s the truth. </p>

<p>I have been rejected way more than anything. I have been upset, but I always get over it. You have to be strong and you need to think about this when you go on auditions. I have went into auditons and I have tried way too hard. I will imagine how the movie will turn out, etc. I just learn to be rejected again, lol. Acting is my passion and I know my day will come. I know I have not been through this yet, but I know ONE rejection won’t stop me. You will get so many rejections as an actor and maybe one or two YES’s! I think this is more than being rejected from a college, but you can’t let it stop you. If you do, please go seek a different passion. I would just think of all the other opportunities you may have. </p>

<p>I believe everything is meant to be. You may not be an actor after all and your passion may go away. I know lots of actors who lost their interest after a couple years and didn’t have that passion any longer. This was after they knew that they can’t take rejection. Others just lost their interest. I know a very talented actress and now she has her mind on other things. I will also like to mention that you will be rejected a lot in life and not just in acting. You may have other job opportunities and not get the job. You may get rejected by someone who you really liked. It is the school’s lost and your gain. If they don’t want you, well then good! You probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the program. You have to be very optimistic. I may just be a freshman in high school, but just my thoughts.</p>

<p>I actually am going to apply to Bard College at Simon’s Rock (an early college) next year. I am just going to go in there and be hopeful, but I’m not going to expect it to happen. If God has other plans, then let it be. :)</p>