I can imagine Seth Godin’s recent recommendation to make two lists being met with eye rolling from many teens, and from many parents, for that matter. But whether or not you take his recommendation to tape one list to your bathroom mirror and to read it every day, the overarching message is a crucial one, especially for families going through the college admissions process—you get to choose what you focus on.
Do you want to focus on all the bad news, all the bad breaks, all your weaknesses, all the places you fell short, and all the ways the system seems rigged against you? That’s what these families did, and it not only did nothing to improve their students’ chances of admission, but also ruined what otherwise could have been a positive experience of finding and applying to college.
Or do you want to focus on the good news, the lucky breaks, the things you’re good at, the teachers you enjoy, the activities that make you happy, and most importantly, on the fact that you live in a country with the most open and accessible system of higher education in the world, billions of dollars available in financial aid and scholarships, and an open invitation to find those that fit you best?
Whether or not you make two lists, you get to make the choice. And there’s nothing preventing you from making this one.