Happy New Year

   For those who are in the academic arena, the calendar is marked twice with the title "new year." Once of course, on January 1st and another time its scribbled down on a square somewhere in August. Parents everywhere are feeling mixed emotions about the start of the academic calendar. On one hand, I imagine many parents are heaving a sigh of relief while simultaneously feeling disbelief that their child is already starting first grade, or perhaps taking a picture of their child's "last first day of school." And the students, well they're either whining about how summer is over and homework has begun or they are part of the small minority of kids who actually get excited about going back to school. Regardless of what stage it is, the feelings are bittersweet.
 

   
      For high schoolers and college age students, there's usually a very common thought process that occurs during the coming days of a new school year. It goes something like this... "This is the year that I make all As." or maybe a smaller goal like, "This year I am not procrastinating anything." Sometimes we even buy a calendar/organizer and for the first few weeks right down all of our assignments and check them off as we finish. But for most of us, the vigorous spirit of "new school year, new me" is unfortunately short lived.
 
    I can think of several excuses that I've had in the past for why my diligence so quickly deteriorated. But if I am honest, it all comes down to one thing. I stopped caring. And regrettably, I am only one of thousands of students who do the same thing. This past school year however, was different for me. Last fall I transferred from Georgia Regents University to Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. During my freshman year at GRU I put in mediocre effort to my school work. When I transferred to Southeastern, something just hit me. I knew that the expense of going to Southeastern is nearly 5 times that of what my first year of college was. I also knew this meant more sacrifices that my family would have to make. So I made a new year's resolution that I would not take that fact for granted. I did not finish the school year with a 4.0 but I can honestly say that I worked hard in every class and did my best not to settle for sub par efforts. Not only have I learned more this past school year than any other, but I took full advantage of an opportunity that the majority of the people in this world do not even get to have.

    Recently I watched a documentary on Netflix called,"On the Way to School." (I highly recommend watching it.)  The documentary follows four sets of children from different countries and their journeys to school. A brother and sister from Africa who have a two hour walk to school every morning while simultaneously running and hiding from elephant stampedes. The film also follows three brothers in India ages 8 and younger who have an hour and a half journey to school, while pushing one of their brothers in a broken wheelchair. Needless to say, the film only solidified a fact that I already know to be true: education is a privilege and should not to be taken for granted.

     Whether you are still in high school or are in college, please stop for a moment to realize this fact. Although in the states we are privileged to have lower education as a right, many children in the world do not. And if they do, they sacrifice very much to make it a possibility. For those of us pursuing college, realize that this is an opportunity that even many people in America do not get. In other words, going to college and having it paid for by your parents is not their obligation or assumed responsibility. It is a gift. For the students young and old who are paying for college on your own, you are commended.
 
     I only say this because I have realized myself,  how long I have taken these things for granted. Although I have been on somewhat of a rant I actually mean this as an encouragement and motivation to work hard in school since you have the opportunity. And if you have chosen to go to college, take full advantage of the knowledge and resources being offered to you. So for all students, I hope your "new school year resolutions" are successful. And Happy New Year!