My Advice to the High School Graduates

Hey Future Bruins!

Let’s get right into it and subvert expectations, ’cause someone told me that quite a few of you are coming right out of high school! Congratulations! You did it! Can you believe it? Now we all get to keep working on this next hurdle: COLLEGE.

As someone named Kinsey Burke, who has been at it for two years (although I am a junior … accelerated graduation, and all that academic jazz and mumbo jumbo), I’ve learned quite a few things along the way.

First off, you might be wondering the age-old question that we college kids will never escape during little bouts of small talk at family gatherings, “Kinsey, what did you major in?”

I’m glad you asked! Because here you get to be subject to my deeper ramblings small talk doesn’t always afford. MUAHAHAHA

I decided to major in English and minor in theatre at Fox. For me, I feel as though it looked a little different from most people since I had always had an interest in books, reading, and writing since I was 6, maybe 7, and I didn’t get into theatre until high school. That fundamentally changed my life and how I viewed myself, what it meant to be a loving Christian, and further spurred my love for analyzing people, stories, and communicating well. The hurdle for me really became what college I was going to attend, since I knew I wanted to be a writer.

Now, for those of you struggling with what the HECK you’re going to do, be patient with yourself. Try new things. Be bold, make connections, talk to people from different majors, pray about it, and don’t be afraid to not have it figured out as you start. You have plenty of time to figure out what you’re doing. As long as you’re taking the steps to support yourself, you’re going to be OK.

Don’t get me wrong – this is school, this is college, it’s going to have some REALLY freaking hard challenges. But just because it’ll have hard moments, like when I stared at a page for an hour because I didn’t know how to start my midterm paper (Professor Brooks, if you see this, please ignore it), crashed out over some gossipy cliches in theatre, or underestimated the amount of time I needed to finish the reading for a class. It doesn’t mean it’s NEVER going to have some incredible moments. Like getting to analyze a book that’s become my absolute favorite (I’m looking at you, Brothers Karamazov ♥️), or sitting on the quad, spotting your friends, and shouting their names from across it.

This is a learning experience. You are going to be uncomfortable. But it is in moments of discomfort that we begin to grow. College can be like that for you, and no matter what, it will work out according to God’s plan.

Have fun, future Bruins! You got this!