A letter to ggast class of 2017

Dear Gashora Girls Academy class of 2017,

As I write this, I am in the MIT orientation. Last year at this exact time I was at home, sick. Less than a week earlier, I had a mental breakdown. The next day I was given permission to go home, and this marked the first of many trips I took home that term. I might have had a slightly different experience in the last term, but I believe I can give you some words of wisdom.

Senior six (grade 12) was a frightening year for me. I was not a proactive person, and I liked​ to keep things to myself. Selling myself to a college seemed so hard for me. I had to talk to Mr John, our University counselor, do research, standardized tests, and all those things. I didn't know where to start. I was simply confused, so I stopped everything. I started the year with a 31 score in ACT practice, however, it went downhill from there.

When I'm overwhelmed with multiple thing to do, I tend to freeze and not do anything at all. So I stopped ACT practice, missed the June registration deadline, and failed to write personal essays. I mastered the art of complaining and ranting. I remember, there was a time I only talked about my woes and inadequacies. Then, I started distancing myself from my friends, for who would like listening to non-stop rants?

As we started the last term of highschool, I had all these things to do. Basically,  I hadn't done any college preparation at all. So I had to do college research, standardized tests, application essays and without forgetting the national Exams. I felt the need to work twice, or more, harder than everyone else. This had a toll on my mental health, for I survived on two or three hours of sleep a day. Rupture day was on Thursday, August 25. I had an inferno in my head.

That experience made me realize multiple things. The first one is that college is not the world. There's a time I thought that if I didn't get into a good college, I would be a failure. I did everything to align my hobbies, values beliefs with that of colleges I wanted to get into. I ended up losing my identity. Second, I realised that I had to embrace the whole baggage that is me. Kiss my demons good night, and hug my insecurities.

I would go on and on, but the main thing is: be you and do you. You are amazing girls. if you don't create long lasting memories​ with your sisters, then what will be your Gashora experience? Do not let your ambition to succeed suck out the joys and fun of highschool. Use the application process to rediscover who you really are. Please, don't ignore any part of your education ( like the national Exams). Finally find love in those around you.

With love, 
Mwizerwa Diane