What Does a Good Life Look Like?
At my graduation from Vanderbilt University this May, David Brooks, a renowned journalist and author, posed the question during our Graduate's Day keynote address - "What does a good life look like?"
To Brooks, a good life is one where in your 20s you explore what makes you feel alive, and embrace new opportunities. In your 30s and 40s you exhibit determination and resilience. In your 50s and 60s it is time to become a leader. One of your most important responsibilities is to model ethical leadership. To help others become the best version of themselves.
Although I have yet to live through these phases of my life, listening to his address led to my reflection of my own life. Had I lived a good life thus far? How can I know if I will live a good life in the future?
With the help of CollegeConsulting.us, I was accepted into my perfect school over four years ago. At Vanderbilt, I led a good life, a great life, I would say. When I think of my time there, I am filled with an abundance of gratitude. Gratitude to both those who helped me get there (my parents, my high school teachers and coaches, Jack Delehey), and those who I had the pleasure of meeting along the way. I would endure the stressful ambiguity of the waitlist and the disappointing opening of rejection letters all again for just one more year, month, even day there. I am who I am today because of Vanderbilt.
And now I have been set up to continue to live a great life in the future. That’s because my college education and experience achieved what Brooks mentioned in his speech: "it showed [me] how to think and how to choose, and in that way launched [me] off to a glorious life."
But I don’t think it is an institution that does these things, it is a community (or perhaps many). I think you live a good life when you surround yourself with people who teach you, challenge you, and most importantly believe in you.
For me, Jack Delehey was one of those people. That is why I joined the CollegeConsulting.us team…because here I am surrounded by people who teach, challenge, and believe in me. In an environment like this, you are SET UP to live a good life. And I am not the only one who feels that the CC.us team instills these qualities in their students. Take it from...
Chanine (Mom of Anna Kate): "I am SO RELIEVED that we made the decision to work with CC.us! It's reassuring to know that we're working with a team who actually wants to get to know our daughter, her strengths & weaknesses, and who knows what she'll need every step of the way. What sold me more than anything was the idea that you could help remove a lot of the stress out of this next year and actually make the college search fun & enjoyable for Anna Kate!"
Sammie (Mom of Landon): "I immediately felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders after reviewing the curriculum."
Nicole and her Mom
Nicole: "I feel like I am in a good spot. I think I am prepared for the rest of the college planning process and have college in the back of my mine pretty often. It is helpful talking to seniors at my school because they are all getting applications back and have more to say about the entire process. Which has helped me understand how important the program is because it is helping me stay organized and ahead of the game."
If you would like to explore just how we will teach, guide, and support you or your child, schedule a call.
Cheers to building your good life,
Melina Kazanas
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny. Seriously! You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.
P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!" The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).
