VentralVex

  Image Source:  The Harvard Crimson (The acceptance rates only decline from 2021 onwards, by the way.)  Undergraduate admissions in the United States has grown increasingly complex and competitive in the last decade. This one process encompasses a multibillion dollar college consulting industry, significantly influences the future of society, and governs the lives of millions of high school children. I don’t intend to discuss the college admissions process in its entirety, but I do have some advice to share with children apprehensive about the whole ordeal (as they should be).  Having finished submitting all of my college applications in my senior year, I’ve reflected on these last four years of my life. I’ve experienced triumph, tribulation, happiness, sadness, exasperation, disillusionment, enlightenment, and a bevy of other ineffable emotions. Even if I’m not accepted to all of my reach schools, I’m proud of how I’ve spent the last four years of my life. I made p...

  The Boondocks  and Political Apathy In March, I endeavored to educate myself politically. I read Morning Brew’s newsletter almost daily, perused political science publications, and began watching several current affairs channels (I’ve listed many of these resources under “recommendations”). I never cared much about current affairs. I was depressed by the global political climate. I genuinely wish for the best in humanity and with almost every news article I read, I’m increasingly disillusioned with the incompetence of government leadership. Since childhood, observing the failings of authority figures and having my opinions dismissed for my lack of experience was infuriating. Sure, it’s interesting that Trump has been indicted for alleged hush money payments, but what does it matter? I thought to myself. As my dissatisfaction with the world grew, I closed my heart to these struggles, to the opportunities I had to help others. The anime Erased , Mushoku Tensei , and Oregairu ...

  I’ve been co-authoring a book with a friend for roughly one month now and there is some information I would like to share regarding my progress. More specifically, I’m writing a book about the ways the American education system can be changed on an institutional and pedagogical level. I chose to focus on these two levels because I wanted all of the book's content to be actionable, meaning I had to refrain from discussing entrenched systemic issues whose resolution is the domain of politics.  Strangely, my inspiration for writing is my despise of the American education system, especially in its traditional modes of teaching (I think you’ll find no shortage of people who share my sentiment). After becoming a college student through the TAMS program, I’ve begun to consider a career in academia, where the concepts I develop from writing this book can pay off in professorship.  Before committing to the book, I asked a friend of my dad’s, a published author, for advice in my ...

Image Source What would you do tomorrow if it was your last day alive? I want you to think about it seriously.  Your last day likely involves a list of your favorite activities, some parting words, and an overall magnificent time. Living a day like your last makes it more meaningful, more enjoyable, and more liberating. After all, you have to make your final moments of life count, right? Contrast this with what you would do tomorrow if it was your last day, unbeknownst to you . I bet you would be less happy, engage in humdrum activities most of the day, and not even consider the value of your relationships. Sorry to be harsh, but that’s fairly realistic.  It’s because restrictions, such as scarcity and urgency, create value. Deadlines, for example, propel people to work quickly. Put a deadline on your life, and you will feel the same urgency. Furthermore, the last day you’re alive is the last time you can experience everything . No more fun times with family and friends. No mo...

Illustrator: Yuxuan Wu The plethora of productivity advice can be daunting because there are unique approaches to each component of productivity. When scheduling, for example, do you try to stuff your day with activities or do you reserve a few hours for important work? Should you use the Pomodoro technique or complete attention-demanding work in long blocks? I am convinced from my numerous experiences discussing productivity that there is no universally supreme productivity strategy.  That’s because everyone has different responsibilities and habits to consider when constructing a productive routine. As a high school student, I had to manage my schoolwork in addition to extracurricular interests. Compare my circumstances to those of a working parent, and  the difference is so significant that we cannot apply the same productivity tools. Productivity advice should, therefore, be applied according to the individual.  Take, for instance, the ubiquitous Pomodoro technique....