A Thank You Goes A Long Way!

For many seniors this is the time of the year when they can breathe a huge sigh of relief. They can almost see that light at the end of the tunnel.  Prom is around the corner, senior cut day is imminent, and AP exams are almost a thing of the past, But wait, not so fast. There are so many people who played key roles that helped each student get to this point. These people are often the forgotten ones, but I am here to remind parents and students alike that a thank you note goes a long way.

Remember how apprehensive you were to ask one of your teachers to write a letter of reference for you? It was one of the first significant steps of the college application process. To some it may feel like a lifetime ago, but it was only a few months ago.  Let’s not take for granted what these adults did for you. They took the time to write you a letter that captures who you are both in and out of the classroom. It is most likely that the teacher did not have the time to even do this during the hustle and the bustle of the school day and they spent a good part of their weekend crafting letters that would make you stand out from a pool of other applicants.

Sitting down and thanking those teachers and letting them know how appreciative you are of their time will be sure to put a smile on their faces.  You can even let them know where you are planning on attending school; they want to know, they care, but they are waiting for you to share the good news!

Other people you may want to thank are the guidance counselors who always found the time to talk with you and offer you help or suggestions as you navigated the college application labyrinth.   And let’s not forget the administrator who made sure all your files and records were directed to the right admission office, who sent you reminders of college rep visits, who reminded you over and over to update your Naviance account.

Sending a heartfelt thank you not only demonstrates some courtesy, but the practice will serve you well over the course of your lifetime, whether applying for a summer internship or a full-time job.  And at some point you will likely be asked to write in support of a colleague or young student, and you will personally appreciate that note of thanks in return.