I am not good at good byes (they make me sad...) so I have decided to write you all a letter (the last class blog post!). Each of you is so special in your own unique way and I will miss you all. I will miss our interesting debates in class, your inquisitive questions, your natural desire to always learn more, and most of all - your fun, intelligent and inspiring personalities! I wish I could still be here with you all next year, but I have to follow my passion - traveling. Someday you all will find your passion, whatever it may be, and I suggest that you do whatever you can to follow that passion. Do what you need to do to live a happy and fulfilling life! You have a BIG year coming up and you will all need to work together. Consider this a great opportunity to become a family and form a trusting bond with each other. You are all wonderful people and are so lucky to have each other as classmates!
Promise me that you will always remember:
· Stay positive! =) You all have seriously some of the most positive attitudes of all the students I have met here and I hope you remember to keep it that way. Having a positive attitude will ALWAYS help you to be successful and most importantly, to be happy!
· Be kind – The Dalai Lama said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Isn’t that a great quote? This is something I have to work on also. We all have to remember that there is so much kindness in the world and it is up to us to pass it on to others.
· Consider both sides of the story – I know I always told you to consider different theories in history, but this can also apply to “real life.” Remember that other people have feelings too, and their feelings or opinions matter. Do not believe everything you hear. Gossip can destroy someone’s life, and is a form of bullying.
· Depend on each other – All people depend on other people. You are a class that will need to depend upon each other even more than ever as juniors! Rather than creating divides amongst yourselves, use this year to open up to each other, trust each other, and have fun together!
· Accept each other’s flaws – No one is perfect. You all will get to know each other VERY WELL next year and sometimes you might drive each other crazy! But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still love, trust, and support each other. Just like a family. Also, accept your own flaws, but continue working to improve yourself.
· Grades aren’t everything – What? My teacher is telling me not to care about grades?? WRONG! Grades are very important! But so are extra-curricular activities, clubs, sports teams, school events, friends, family, and most of all – honesty! Colleges want to know you are a well-rounded person, not just a straight A student. People want to know that you are a good person who tries their hardest in an honest way. I know all of you and I know you are all capable of this!
· Set your goals NOW – You may not know exactly what you want to do when you grow up and that’s ok! But it’s always important to identify what it is you want out of life, and GO GET IT! These can be long term or short term goals, academic, career-minded, or personal goals. Ask yourself, “What kind of life do I want?” And then MAKE IT HAPPEN! You are in charge of your own future! =)
· Be flexible – Embrace change. Friends change, school changes, jobs change, families change, and most importantly, YOU will change. This is a great thing! Do not be afraid of change! Don’t be afraid to change your mind, either! You may think you want to be a doctor now and you may decide later that you actually want to make movies. The great part is that you get to decide, and you still have lots of time!
· Lastly, keep in touch – With the internet these days, it is very easy to keep in touch and I would love to see how your lives turn out and be there to offer advice even when I am across the world. Email me: lindsay.kaufhold@gmail.com
Good luck in whatever it is you all choose to do in the future. Follow your dreams, face the world with a positive attitude and keep me updated!
Ms. Kaufhold
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