College applications are everywhere right now – on my screen, in my thoughts, and on every advice blog screaming ‘be yourself’.
I’ll avoid sounding cliche, as I might when I try to describe the various elements associated with words like these. Overused phrases can dilute the weight of what I actually want to say, and if there’s anything I want to avoid, it’s echoing the ideas of others.
So let’s start from the foundation. Unapologetic. Not a good trait in most cases. I don’t think anyone would want to meet an unapologetic person. (Unless you’re into that sort of arrogant entitled type of thing.)
But take unapologetic and add ‘-ally’. Now, we approach the core identity of what I love about it. Unapologetically. This carries intention and a refusal to bend without good reason to.
In the midst of college applications, the internet has plenty of advice on what good college essays look like. “Be genuine!” “Be unique!” “Tell a story only you can tell.” But these phrases have been repeated so often that they’ve lost their shape.
So instead? I remember to be unapologetically myself.
Maybe this first post is a promise. To you, and to me. I will write unapologetically. I won’t tailor my thoughts to fit an imaginary audience, or force clarity where confusion deserves to exist. To me, this journey through applications is a lesson to remain grounded in my sense of self. And that it’s okay not to know what that necessarily means.
This platform is a chance for me to flesh out my ideas and take refuge from my short-form-media-infested life. Here, I won’t be cut off after 60 seconds or get drowned out by algorithm-driven noise. Here, I can just think. Breathe. Write.
And for now, maybe that’s enough.
To begin, unapologetically.
Mason Lai 