"In the few short months that I have studied at Gordonstoun, my decision to complete a thirteenth year of school before university has already proven to be invaluable. A year ago, I was afraid of college because I knew nothing about it. I dreaded the prospect of visiting schools. I dreaded the application process - even the simple step of requesting information.
"I didn't know what I wanted.
"Nonetheless, I applied to a number of colleges, and gained acceptance at more than half of them. Just as I was poised to decide between the two 'finalists', and just as I felt like I had reached the monumental decision that would at the very least determine where I spent the next four years of my life, my father suggested the idea of a post-secondary (PS) year.
"'Absolutely not!' I thought to myself. I had already been through the wringer with regard to the college application process, and had already developed the mindset that I would be going to college in the coming autumn. There was no way I was changing my mind now.
"But our conversation of a PS year lingered in my mind, and I gave more thought to the possibility. A couple of days passed. And then I thought to myself: 'Am I really ready for college?' The alternative possibilities really got my mind churning.
"I thought about how I sometimes felt that I had been forced to grow up too quickly, a child of divorced parents, never completely understanding them. Why not stay in school for another year and slow things down? I sensed I wasn't prepared for college, and I didn't want to start my college career just because it was the thing that was expected of a graduating senior. One thing I was certain of: I wanted to make the most of my time at college; to take advantage of everything college is meant to offer – the environment, courses, opportunities, facilities, and growth.
"Opportunity knocked in the form of a very real possibility of studying at a school highly respected not only for its academic rigor, but also for its focus on values, ethics and personal growth. The school was in Scotland. Hmmmmm. Far away. Rigorous. Full of the unknown. Could I do it? Would they accept me? Could I be successful in their system? Then again, the eight day sailing training voyage aboard the school yacht appealed to the sailor in me. A thousand thoughts, and almost as many fears, percolated to the top of my mind.
"Then it hit me: 'Go to Scotland. Immerse yourself in a foreign environment; meet and live with people from other parts of the world, and experience something new before college. Focus on yourself, Will, away from your family and friends. Discover yourself, and maybe even get an idea of what direction you want your life to take.'
"My year here is far from over, but even after only three months into the academic year, the impact has been tremendous, and the results have been very encouraging. Last year, I was convinced I wanted to major in economics, yet I had no real understanding of what 'economics' was. This year, I took the opportunity to study economics, and subsequently decided, based on much more sound reasoning, that it is an area that intrigues me, and would probably be a good long-term educational focus, extending beyond to my eventual employment goal.
"Beyond the obvious academic challenges, the opportunities presented by Gordonstoun are enormous. I play rugby, took up golf again, swim every morning, and have branched out from my pastime of sailing to discover that I enjoy expeditions on land while serving in the school's Mountain Rescue team, where I have learned the ways of the wilderness. I have volunteered to help build a school in central India over the Christmas holiday, and signed up to build gardens in the Sinai Desert this coming May.
"From my time here so far, I have experienced many personal revelations, many of which should have surfaced when I was younger, but only came to light since I've been on my own in a totally different environment. I have since refined my goals, and discovered the direction I want my life to take. Increased clarity and drive have also been significant and critical results. I understand better than ever the phrase 'if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.'
"In fact, Gordonstoun's maxim is 'Plus est en vous
'. In three short months, I have come to prove that very thing to myself.
"Fortunately, this short essay is based on only a third of my time at Gordonstoun, and I am sure that future experiences in my remaining six months will provide me with even more clarity, direction, and enthusiasm for what comes next. While I used to shy away from the future, my time away from home has taught me to embrace the future and experience all that life has to offer. I am happier, more open, and enthusiastic than I ever was at home. Gordonstoun has given me the opportunity to 'sort myself out' and I can proudly say that my decision to postpone college and enrich myself has been one of the best I have ever made. I am poised and eager to engage college during the next four years."
William H. Bayles, III - 17th November, 2006