higher-education
I have tagged 1 blog post with higher-education:
Norwegian Tracks and College Facts: My Introspective Journey through the Intricacies of Higher Education Applications
As the train snakes its way through the frosted Norwegian landscape, the dull grey skies mirrored my sentiment as I pondered on the precipice of a colossal decision about further education. The temperature outside registered a biting 3°C, which in some strange way, was reminiscent of the cold jitters that abrade my nerves each time I delve into the intimidating world of college applications.
Gone are the days when your academic prowess was the sole determinant of your eligibility. Now, it is a labyrinth of personal statements, recommendation letters, and standardized test scores. My mind reels with the weariness of it all, overwhelm nastily gnawing at my resolve.
Every morsel of your existence is whittled down to raw, impersonal data. The same application forms that hold the promise of future success, can also leave one feeling crestfallen. That sinking feeling of inadequacy when you belatedly realize that a respectable GPA is just a minuscule cog in the gargantuan wheel; it's a feeling I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
The process of application itself is no less disheartening. The seemingly-basic act of filling out the form sometimes feels akin to tackling a particularly treacherous labyrinth, a maze rendered infinitely more daunting with the burdensome knowledge that inadvertently skipping a single question could mean the difference between success and rejection.
As my gloved fingers scroll the internet, seeking guidance and solace from others who’ve walked this path before me, my eyes fall upon an article. But alas! My hopes are dashed. "Sorry, the information provided is not a webpage or a document that I can summarize..." it says, another half-baked source offering little help in the stormy seas of college applications.
The push for extracurriculars, the sky-high requirements, the pressure - it all lies heavy on young shoulders. The process itself seems like an insurmountable mountain peak whose zenith is veiled in thickets of uncertainty. I know it's necessary. An entry ticket to a future that promises career satisfaction, unfolding possibilities and personal growth. Still, it weighs heavily on the heart, this acknowledgment of the arduous climb that lies ahead.
Despite my melancholic reflections, there's a sliver of determination that refuses to be extinguished. A glint in my eye that says, "I can do this", because ultimately, the greatest victories are edged with trials and tribulations. True, the application process can be daunting, impersonal, even downright unfeeling, but maybe this is part of the journey - the baptism by fire that forms us, molds us into who we're destined to be.
Now, as I pull into Oslo, wrapped in the morning chill and my somber ruminations, I look beyond the frost-kissed glass, beyond the bare trees, and the grey skies. The daunting path is up ahead, but I know, deep down, that I am ready to tread the worn stones of this challenge. Each day, each step is a small victory. After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.