Fun Fall Dates

1. Carve pumpkins together
2. Go apple picking
3. Roast marshmallows
4. Look at the stars
5. Wear matching sweaters
6. Go to a football game
7. Drink hot chocolate together
8. Crunch leaves together
9. Go to a corn maze
10. Watch a scary movie

Masks

In competitive high schools, people become obsessed with intelligence. A select few want everyone around them to believe that they are naturally intelligent and never have to try on assignments; they just naturally have access to all knowledge possible without any given effort. However, this facade is so transparent that it becomes a sheer embarrassment to parade around that you "literally didn't study and got 100%." Such lies and masks are irrelevant and insignificant, as everyone is aware of the fact that knowledge takes time and effort and repetition, so the mere fact that someone would fake their inherent genius is pitiful and manipulative. As opposed to attempting to "one up" friends and show off intelligence, people should focus on learning itself instead of the competitive nature of being the smartest. Take off the mask, spread the knowledge.

Underestimation

One of my least favorite phrases of all time is "you'll understand when you're older." This simple phrase implies immaturity and underdevelopment, as if life is just too vast for a small-minded 14-year-old to understand. Although the phrase is not necessarily untrue, it can be an insult. As I described last week, everyone has different backgrounds and stories that shape their perspective...so how is it fair to assume you know everything about everyone's maturity and understanding based on age?

Being underestimated for age is frustrating. As a 17-year-old, I often hear one of two phrases from adults:
1. You're basically an adult! Life is hard, you need to learn how to handle situations like this, it only gets harder from here.
2. You couldn't understand, you're just impossibly too young. You'll understand when you're older.

I don't think adults understand how confusing this is. Am I a mature adult who needs to do everything independently, or am I a childish, immature teenager who can't participate in complex adult activities? And how could you possibly know my level of maturity?

Do not judge age. Do not underestimate the power experience has on age. Seventeen could mean vacations yearly and successful parents with connections. Seventeen could mean parental death and societal rejection. How can we possibly compare maturity by a number. We can't.

Perspective

Perspectives are powerful. Perspectives are inspiring. Perspectives are easily ignored. Everyone has grown up with completely different lives and backgrounds and stories, yet when we enter the working world, suddenly everyone is expected to be the same. Everyone goes home to a different home and a different family and a different storyline, but it can be nearly impossible to tell based on appearance.

Peoples' perspectives about money, for example, are easily shaped by their adolescence. When people grow up in the upper class, it can be nearly impossible for them to connect with people who grow up in the lower class. "Get a job, make money, save up." It seems so simple from their point of view, making it difficult for them to comprehend the struggle it is for some people to afford something as simple as a decent pair of shoes.

Instead of ignoring perspectives and attempting to put everyone on the same playing field, society should embrace our differences. We all have different stories and different environmental influences that have shaped our opinions. Do not shut these out or be ashamed. They make us different. Unique. Empathetic.