New Year Reflections: A Journey from Uncertainty to Clarity

Oh my God, we’ve finally completed all the college application submissions! It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m grateful to have finished everything, even though the results remain uncertain, and let me tell you, that uncertainty can be nerve-wracking.

It’s interesting to consider how different the college application process is depending on where you live. My cousin in Japan, who is the same age as me, and I often catch up with each other. However, our college application experiences couldn’t be more different. It’s like we’re living on entirely different planets. In Japan, the focus is heavily on entrance exams, and it’s probably safe to say that the process is much more similar in Europe with the IB system than the one we experience in the US. When I spoke to my cousin last week, I learned that the national standardized tests are coming up in late January, followed by individual school exams in February. At this last stage, the preparation seems to be less about cramming and more about ensuring physical and mental wellness to be in peak condition for those exams.

At first, I felt a bit envious when I thought their approach seemed straightforward compared to the American system, which is all about “holistic evaluation”—a lot of items are on the plate: school grades, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and teacher recommendations. But then, I considered the possibility of catching the flu and having to take these significant exams while running a fever. That thought made me uneasy, and I said to my cousin, “Get enough sleep and stay physically prepared for those exams to perform at your best!”

Now that break‘s almost over (mostly consumed by application prep), I want to take a moment to reflect. As I approach the final phase of my high school journey, it is the right time to think ahead, set some goals, and plan for the next six months.

I want to make the most of the time I have left with my friends at school. But since my soccer club season has already started, I’m determined to give my best on the field too. After all, it’s my last season in high school, and there’s nothing to lose. Craig and I were even invited to receive awards for our athletic achievements at the school assembly next week, which is a huge honor. It’s a great reminder for me to finish my high school years strong—not just academically but as a soccer player too.

On a personal note, I’m eager to visit Japan again soon to see my grandmother, my cousin, and other relatives, along with friends from my old schools. It’s still a few months away, but Craig and I already have a list of things we want to do when we get there. Not surprisingly, the top items on the list involve food: eat as much sushi, ramen, traditional washoku (Japanese cuisine), and wagyu steak as we can! After that, we’re excited to visit Kyoto, a place we’ve never been before. It’s funny because a few years ago, we wouldn’t have been interested in sightseeing at all. We were all about active outdoor adventures—kayaking, canyoning, zip-lining, and scuba diving. Now, we’re ready for something different. We want to immerse ourselves in the culture and history of Japan—Wabi-sabi and all. And of course, food will still be a big part of the experience! For me, I’m particularly excited about the natural beauty of Japan. I plan to take lots of pictures and videos to capture the stunning landscapes and unique locations. For Craig, I’m sure his additional look forward to activities will revolve more around food.

Readers, did you make any New Year’s resolutions? If not, now might be the perfect moment to sit down and reflect. This practice of goal-setting can have a significant positive impact, and I speak from experience when I say this. At the beginning of my senior year, I created a list of things I wanted to achieve—a systematic approach I’d never tried before. The concept of “the last year of high school” brought a wave of nostalgia and a determination to finish strong, motivating me to create that special list. Looking back, I’m surprised by how many tasks I’ve completed from it.

I understand it can be daunting. We’ve all heard about the benefits of setting goals, but it’s not easy to confront the uncertainty and the chance of falling short. However, I’ve discovered that if you’re committed to claiming what you want, something powerful—whether it’s the universe or sheer will—seems to help steer you toward your goals. That’s the feeling I’ve experienced over the past few months while tackling those tasks. What worked for me was being specific about my actions, establishing clear deadlines, and regularly reviewing the list. That’s all it took—but it worked. So, I highly recommend creating your own list of goals for the year. Let’s jump into 2025 with a strong desire and determination to succeed!

Talk to you soon!
Thomas