Princeton, from the musical “Avenue Q”, can be described as happy, lost, and optimistic. As a recent graduate from college, Princeton has no idea what to do with a B.A. in English. Although Princeton is thrown this seemingly impossible obstacle to overcome, he is determined to find his purpose in life, and it is this quality that Princeton encompasses that I relate to. Throughout my life, I have realized that there are numerous times that I am encountered with a seemingly impossible task to complete. For example, with the daunting task of finishing all of my college essays before their due date, and still completing all my school work to the best of my ability, my current workload feels impossible to accomplish. Mirroring how Princeton deals
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” This mantra from Margaret Mead is a somewhat humorous yet slightly satirical spin on how people tend to think of themselves as one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable human specimens. However, one English teacher from Wellesley High School takes this critique one step further with his polemic presentation at the school commencement. David McCullough, a Massachusetts English teacher, gave a seemingly somber sendoff to his graduates in 2012, with a speech that contained some unapologetically harsh sentiments. However, by looking past the outwardly dismal surface of the speech, the students can infer a more optimistic message. By incorporating devices of asyndeton, paradox, antimetabole, and anadiplosis, McCullough conveys to each student that even though none of them is unique, their commonality is not a fault they all have merit and should strive to view the world through a more selfless lens.
Fitzgerald, a primary character throughout several short stories, lives with a tragic flaw that has unfavourable effects on his life, similar to other characters in the 4U English curriculum. Fitzgerald develops an unhealthy obsession with his love for Ming. He begins calling her “three times a night… He fell behind in lecture tapes, until she reminded him that he had to study if he wanted to get into medical school” (62). This overwhelming infatuation becomes a main factor in their breakup, as he is a distraction from her studies, which she values above all else. Furthermore, the severing of his ties to Ming causes laziness in his own studying and puts his chances of getting into medical school in jeopardy. This rejection is the beginning of the downward spiral of Fitzgerald’s young adulthood. From their breakup stems his depression and co...
To regard the importance of the bigger picture, he maintains parallel structure and utilizes the repetition of words in the body of the speech. “The fulfilling life, the distinctive life, the relevant life” occurs when one seizes the day—when one finds the joys in life by realizing “you are not special”. The pauses and short sentences also adds to the conversational aspect and pace of the commencement piece. To continue, he notes how in this moment of time, every single one of them is dressed “exactly the same” and their diplomas are “exactly the same”. The unification of these prospective seniors further augments the message of settling. McCullogh further critiques the phrases that defy logic. High school students have perceived that “good is no longer good enough, where a B is the new C”. The goal into doing one’s best has been shaped into doing the capabilities of another, in which McCullogh responds metaphorically to only focus on the betterment of the self: “climb [the mountain] so you can see the world, not so the world can see you”. All of these seniors have fallen into the preconceived mindset of superiority, unifying them together but it is their personal capabilities that distinguishes one from another, successes from failures. The support and inspiration he is aiming for is clearly portrayed in proposing to the students to, “[d]ream big. Work hard. Think for yourself”. He inspires them to experience life instead of accomplish
In fact, “a determined student, even encountering hardships in his/her life while attending college full time, will succeed” (Culpepper 330). Also, many professionals successfully graduated college while dealing with hardships such as “raising children alone, working in multiple jobs, and caring for sick relatives” (Culpepper 330). They showed commitment by staying focused on what they wanted to achieve in their lives. An overloaded student accomplishes his/her tasks by organizing his/her daily schedule, not allowing more than one activity developing in the same hour. Also, the student has to allow for himself/herself recreational time as a reward, for that will balance his/her overwhelmed lifestyle.
“Son, if you make it to Queens, our time in Canada would truly be worth it.” This phrase was brought back into my mind while reading Fitzgerald 's “The Great Gatsby.” I saw myself in Gatsby, a man with the drive to change his live. I often imagine the readers of this novel thinking “Gatsby was driven to go from rags to riches, he must be happy!” Unfortunately, drive alone cannot make a man happy, effective actions and a fulfilling goal is just as important. Gatsby died a sad man for his criminal actions and terrible goal. I may not be great, but I sure am happy!
In her ,“Harvard”, address, actress, comedian and producer Amy Poehler speaks to the graduating class of 2011. Her speech is filled with her uplifting sense of humor and her down-to-earth personality that you can’t help but enjoy. Poehler utilizes various rhetorical strategies throughout her address such as allusion, and conveying pathos in a humourous as well as an emotional way. By using these, she successfully encourages the young students and families at Harvard University to work their hardest and take on the world.
In Paul Toughmay’s “Who Gets to Graduate,” he follows a young first year college student, Vanessa Brewer, explaining her doubts, fears, and emotions while starting her college journey. As a student, at the University of Texas Brewer feels small and as if she doesn’t belong. Seeking advice from her family she calls her mom but after their conversation Brewer feels even more discouraged. Similar to Brewer I have had extreme emotions, doubts, and fears my freshman year in college.
Bonnie had a childhood that alluded to eventual greatness. Bonnie was known by everyone as being beautiful and adorable (Rosenberg). Some of her early interests included romance novels, writing, and drama (Rosa). She was an honor student, and was always winning prizes for her essays, spelling, and public speaking (Fortune 49). One of her most notable victories was when she won Cement City’s Spelling Bee championship (Rosa). When she was younger, at her school in Cement City, Bonnie’s class had someone come to teach them elocution once a week. Bonnie was obsessed with that class. Her classroom performance was excellent, and the teacher liked her to the extent that she even got permission to occasionally bring Bonnie to spend the night with...
He feels that students who want to fit in finds a sense of haven in a college where there are limitless possibilities of being part of a group of “us” rather then them. “Throughout human history, most people have lived around some definable place – tribal ring, river junction, or Town Square. The reality is that modern suburbia is merely the latest iteration of the American dream, David Brooks” Before the construction of the first transcontinental railroad so called the pacific railroad many people lived within the resources of the town square, on the contrary people seek to find something new for them self as a means of traveling to the outer most terrains to express freedom to freely go as they please. In addition the similarities between a sense of us and the freedom of individuals who feel the need to go beyond the borders of their comfort zone is expressed through their decision to face uncertainty weather the choices they made is beneficial or
Shiffman believes that the drop in interest in the humanities results in the inability of students to have clear bearings amid life’s uncertainties. He believes that only by studying the humanities will students be able to introspect and recognize that endless achievement may not add up to a meaningful life (Shiffman 5). However, Shiffman fails to realize that this form of reflection need not be done solely by those majoring in the humanities. It can be done by all who try, their fields of study are no limitation. In fact, it may be this same reflection that leads to an individual’s decision to prioritize practicality. Not all those who choose the practical path are doing it for themselves. Many may do it for their families, as a safe and stable means of supporting their loved ones. Others may take this opportunity to give back to their community through the ways they are most skilled. Instead of pursuing a single interest in a certain field, they choose to follow their various callings. Doing solely what an individual loves is a self-centered view of the world. While it is important to chase happiness, it is also important to reflect on what one is doing to spread happiness to the rest of the world. One must find something that they are good at, and put that into the world. They should contribute to others and help the world be better, in addition to following their passions. An individual’s acts of service may just become one of their many passions.
Juhnke, Gerald Bryson, Gerald A. Juhnke, and Kathryn Henderson. "The Homework Identification Plan: A Solution-Focused Activity To Promote Student-Athletes’ Time Management Skills." Journal Of Creativity In Mental Health 8.2 (2013): 186-202. EBSCO MegaFILE. Web.
Esther has the privilege of fifteen years of scholarships; however, the pressures of upholding the scholarship kid image along with collegiate expectations begin to consume her. Coming from a poor family, Esther has had to rely on her grades to determine her future. Her grades have gotten her a scholarship to Smith College and an internship at Mademoiselle Magazine in New York. Esther thinks that she ...
Never been so disappointed in life, he went out for a walk; suddenly, the idea of drinking just popped into his tiny head. For once, everything seemed so bright again as if Toni found a fortune, he had finally known the solution how to fit into the crowd and become the most popular guy in school. After following the other students’ ideas to drink and use drugs, he ruined himself by partying out all night. His goal of going to Harvard started to fade away and was slowly replaced by the urge to have a few cups of beer everyday. Instead of choosing a better path by using his talents, he chose to live more idly rather than going to a well-known university. Many students, favoring lying on their back...
...rs tend to overestimate the degree of unpleasantness of a task” (Lay, 46). Procrastination is a problem that when left unchecked can cause serious problems in every aspect of a person’s life. The solution for students can be as easy as sticking to a goal or as hard as denying themselves a prize when they missed the deadline on a project. The type of solution a person uses depends on what works best for that student, but a schedule to help stay goal positioned never hurt.
It may seem impossible to juggle many things in life at one time; such as trying to get all the assignments completed, and studying done in a short amount of time to make it to work on time. If that was not stressful enough there is also the pressure of making sure to spend time with family. It can be extra stressful when someone has a very big and close family, and a variety of events are to be attended, making sure assignment are completed in order to join the family. Sometimes it may seem that there is simply not enough time in a day to balance school, work, and family which requires a lot of effort, this can seem like a very daunting task because no one ever wants to fail, it is difficult trying to please everyone, and there seems to