Our current administration must cast the tie-breaking vote between the two senior class presidential nominees. Tristan is someone I can’t stand. As we discuss pros and cons for each person, I fire off every infraction and insult I’ve witnessed Tristan commit. When we discuss the other nominee, Helene, I scour my memory for every positive...Read More
I feel fatigued, tingly, and thirsty. I think to myself, “I’m sick!” As I obsess over these symptoms, I fail to notice good stuff happening, like my boyfriend stroking my hair, or my friends laughing merrily as we watch the Super Bowl together. Due to the Negativity Bias, we tend to pay more attention to...Read More
When I wake up and look out the window, I notice storm clouds. I feel my throat tighten and my face get hot, and think, “I don’t deserve a rainy day!” I feel foolish for harboring anger towards the impervious sky. I try to deny the irrational feeling, swallowing hard as my muscles tighten. Silently...Read More
Want to transform your growth year (a self-development-focused gap year) dreams into reality? You’ve come to the right place. In our Growth Year blog series, you’ve learned how to Be Strategic, how to Be Realistic, and how to Be Intentional. Your final key skill to learn is Be Prepared. With this last tool in your...Read More
Read on if you’re leaning towards taking a growth year (a personal growth-oriented gap year). If you’ve been following our Growth Year series (you can get started here), you’ve learned how to Be Strategic (see Blog #1), how to Be Realistic (check out Blog #2), and you’re looking to make your next move. You’ve identified...Read More
If you’re inclined to answer the question of, “To gap year, or not to gap year?” with “Gap year, heck yes!” read on (if undecided on the gap year question, click here). You are committed to designing next year as a self-selected project where you build skills and enhance your opportunities for the future. You...Read More
You hear the siren song of the road less traveled. Perhaps you want to teach English in Indonesia. Maybe you’ve resolved to join protests decrying a social injustice, or feel called to volunteer for a cause core to your values. It could be that you’re hungry for meaning, growth, and adventure, and are not convinced diving straight...Read More
If you are about to cross the finish line of high school (and even if you’re a bit behind or beyond that mark), you may be contemplating taking a gap year. What is a gap year? What is(n’t) it good for? Is it for you? How you answer these questions could change the course of...Read More
One of the main ways we feel close to other people is by bonding over common interests, but what do you do when you want to bond over something that you don’t have in common? Is there someone in your life who you care deeply about, who is passionate about something that you aren’t? Since...Read More
How can we grow closer to others? By reciprocating trust and respect. In other words, I need to know that you have my back, and you have to feel that I believe in you. This is why giving and receiving good news is so beneficial for relationships (for more, see How to Be Great at...Read More
