Is It Too Late?

The end of the summer is always symbolic for me because it signifies the end of a year. Personally, I have never operated on the traditional calendar. Of course January 1st is technically the first day of the new year, but I have always found that the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year is more of the new year for me. I guess I’ve always felt this way and as a teacher it’s no different. And as the long days slowly become shorter and the hot weather slowly cools (hopefully soon), I always reflect on the previous 365 days and set goals and desires for the next 365.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I have a feeling the beginning of the school year is a new year for students of all ages. As much as it is a time of new hopes and dreams, new clothes and new shoes, it is potentially a time of angst and fears. Maybe you had a rough school year. What’s going through your head right now? Maybe too much time was taken to identify a problem, tutoring was needed but neglected, and now you dread the upcoming school year or a specific class. Is it too late?

No, it’s not.

Maybe you had a great year but fell behind in a subject. Things may have snowballed a little and now you, are a little further behind than you should be. Is it too late?

No, it’s not.

Maybe you are readying for 11th grade, overwhelmed at the prospect of taking the PSAT in October, the SAT in March or May, and the ACT in April or June. Or maybe you don’t realize what it takes to attain success on the SAT or ACT. You haven’t enrolled in any SAT prep classes; you haven’t even considered SAT prep. Is it too late?

No, it’s not.

Maybe you are the parent of a high school senior. Where to begin? There is so much! Why does my child seem so lax about the whole process? Don’t they know how much goes into the college essay? College applications? How important the whole college essay and application process is to their future? Is it too late?

No, it’s not.

It is never too late.

As these hot summer days become cool autumn nights, remember that it is never too late. The future is yours, if you want it, and people are out there to help you.

It’s the beginning of a new year. Let’s reflect, let’s imagine, let’s go.