Page 30 - Menlo Magazine: Winter 2018

WINTER 2018
30
Dear my freshman self,
Welcome to Menlo! You should be excited for the incredible four years ahead of you. While four years may
seem like a long time now, trust me when I tell you the time will fly by. At Menlo you will have the chance to explore new opportunities, grow as both a student and an individual, and be a part of an amazing
community. As a graduating senior who has been through it all, I want to help you make the most of your time at Menlo by sharing a few things I have learned along the way.
The most important piece of advice I could give you is to live in the present. Yes, Menlo is a college-preparatory school, but that does not mean you should let thoughts about the future consume your life. If you make all of your decisions out of the desire to impress colleges, then you begin to sacrifice who you are as a person. So when you are signing up for courses, do not think about which ones you believe colleges want to see on your transcript. Instead, sign up for the ones that genuinely interest you. If you take classes that interest you, you will enjoy them and discover a true passion for learning.
One of the greatest things about Menlo is that you do not need to categorize yourself as one type of student. Instead, you should seize the opportunity to explore, and don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new possibilities. Over the course of my junior year, I developed a list of classes I hoped to take senior year, so when course selection came in the spring, I thought I had everything worked out. However, in the final days leading up to my meeting, I came across the course description for philosophy. On some inexplicable feeling, I signed up for it, and philosophy turned out to be one of my most impactful experiences. Thus, you should always take risks and branch out of your comfort zone because you never know what you may discover. It is rare that a student could take art history, economics, engineering, literature, and calculus and enjoy all of them. However, at Menlo this is perfectly possible because students are encouraged to explore their diverse interests.
I am going to tell you right now that Menlo is a challenging school. Your classes will be rigorous and your teachers will hold you to high standards. While this may sound daunting, try not to be frightened. The rigor of the school is what makes the experience rewarding. Yes, you will work hard, but you will also grow as a student, a thinker, and an individual. The most rewarding classes you take will be your most challenging ones. In these classes, you will expand your capabilities, step outside of your comfort zone, and build character. Remember, learning is about engaging yourself, challenging yourself, and developing habits of mind; it is not about the grade you receive at the end
of the semester.
Lastly, savor every moment of these four years. Menlo is a spirited, interesting, and supportive family and you should never forget that you are surrounded by this community. Not only will your teachers support you through difficult times but they will also be friends and mentors. They will approach you on the
Quad, take genuine interest in who you are as a person, and make your success possible. Your peers will also be your inspiration. They are talented, fascinating, caring, and extraordinary in all respects. Take the time to get to know them now so that you can make the most of your four years together.
Menlo has been a truly special place for me, and I hope it is for you, too. Be sure to live in the present, savor every moment, and strike up conversations with the people around you. I can reassure you
that you will graduate in four years and feel an immense sense of accomplishment when you do.
You will make unforgettable memories here with these people. The end will be bittersweet, and it
may be difficult to move on, but you should not be frightened. You are prepared for the next set of challenges, and you are ready to take on the world. I believe in Menlo, and I believe in you.
Sincerely,
Gabrielle Buck
Menlo School class of 2017