Reach Higher Than You Think You Should | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Reach Higher Than You Think You Should

Don't let preconceived limits define you.

11
Reach Higher Than You Think You Should
Illustration by Anna Chai

To the seniors of my county, and others everywhere who might identify with what I will say.

I know that as your senior year began a few weeks ago, many were quick to offer words of advice. This advice was probably along the lines of “enjoy every minute because you’ll blink once and your senior year will be gone”, and today I wish to reiterate that point, because yes, it really does go by fast. Individual days or weeks might seem to drag on forever, but the months will fly by one after another faster than you think. However, in addition to emphasizing the frigidity of the moment, I wish to emphasize some pointers that are feel are necessary for you to hear (or in this case, read).

I encourage everyone to look past and break through whatever ceilings or limits others may have set for you or the ones that you have perhaps have set for yourself.

This can include everything from talking to people that you wouldn’t normally talk to, applying for colleges, jobs, and scholarships that you think are out of your reach, or daring to dream about a career that might not be typical for people of your background.

There will always be people who like to maintain the status quo, who like to main the existing social hierarchy and only want those who have historically done better than other groups to continue to do better.

Just because you come from a small rural area doesn’t mean that you can’t can aim for the things that typically kids from more developed cities and schools aim for. Just because you’re a person of color doesn’t mean that you can’t dream as big as or even bigger than those who aren’t.

Sometimes we don’t allow ourselves to admit that we have subconsciously embraced certain limitations, and stepping or reaching past them might feel unnecessary or unsafe. I think it’s important to be reminded once in a while that we don’t have to stick to the status quos or social hierarchies that tend to perpetuated.

Please, take chances and allow yourself to reach a little higher than you think you should.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

14019
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

40312
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20443
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

320841
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments