第6則微信訊息：為什麼活動清單這麼重要？

親愛的家長們，您好：
對於即將升上12年級的學生，我強烈建議他們現在就開始整理自己的活動清單（Activities List). 這是一份完整記錄他們高中（甚至國中後期）所有重要經歷的清單。
 這不是履歷（resume!)
這份清單是一種自我盤點工具，能幫助學生回顧過去的努力、整理個人特質，並建立他們在大學申請中的獨特故事。
活動清單有什麼用？
當學生有系統地寫下這些經歷，他們將能：
1. 回顧所有參與過的活動——領導職位、志工服務、比賽、個人專案、打工、興趣等等
2. 找出自己展現出來的核心價值觀與個人特質（如毅力、創造力、主動性、同理心等）
3. 發掘真實有感的申請主題與作文素材，不再空泛或無關痛癢
4. 規劃暑期或秋季可補強履歷的活動或專案
5. 建立一份真正適合他們個性與志向的目標大學清單，而不只是看排名
我如何使用活動清單？
當學生交出他們的清單後，我會：
1. 幫他們找出「個人亮點（hook）」那些讓他們被招生官記住的關鍵特質或技能
2. 挑選出能夠體現成長歷程與動機的個人申請主題與作文素材
3. 強調大學看重的素質：成長心態、領導能力、學術好奇心、主動力、堅持度等
4. 規劃專屬於他們的申請學校名單，找出最合適的學群與發展方向
請家長們鼓勵孩子現在就開始！
越早整理，越能避免申請季的壓力與混亂，也更容易寫出有深度的申請作品。
目前我們正在與升12年級的學生安排諮詢與大學申請輔導計畫（包括UC與Common App）。不論孩子目前的成績或課外活動多寡，我們都會：
1. 協助他們找出合適的大學與科系
2. 建立有主題、有深度、有故事的申請形象
3. 不盲從名校，只專注幫孩子找到真正適合的未來方向
想預約30分鐘的初步諮詢，請直接致電辦公室
(909) 860-2190。
Daniel

WeChat Message #6: Activities List and Why It’s Important

Hi Parents,

For incoming high school seniors, I highly recommend they start putting together an Activities List — a complete record of everything they’ve done throughout high school (and even a little before high school if relevant).
 This is NOT a resume. It’s a personal inventory to help students build their story for college applications.

Why is this Activities List important?
 When students organize their experiences this way, it helps them:

  • Review their past activities, leadership roles, projects, volunteer work, competitions, and more.

  • Identify the core values, personal qualities, and themes that naturally emerge.

  • Brainstorm college essay topics that feel authentic and powerful.

  • Decide what kind of personal projects or final experiences they want to pursue during summer or fall to strengthen their college profile.

  • Target their college list better — we use this information to match students with schools where their qualities and passions will stand out.

How I use the Activities List:
 Once a student shares their Activities List, I work with them to:

  • Identify their unique “hooks” — the talents, skills, or interests that make them memorable to admissions officers.

  • Choose essay topics that naturally flow from their real experiences (not random or forced ideas).

  • Highlight personal qualities like resilience, leadership, intellectual curiosity, creativity, empathy, initiative, etc.

  • Build a customized college list where their profile has the highest impact.

Difference between an Activities List and a Resume:
 A professional resume focuses mainly on titles and achievements with formal formatting.
 The Activities List for college admissions goes much deeper:

  • It explains what the student did, why they chose to do it, and what they learned or developed.

  • It shows how the student used their free time — whether through passion projects, jobs, competitions, or service.

  • It reveals intellectual curiosity, commitment, growth mindset, initiative, and genuine interests — things that colleges care about much more than just positions and awards.

  • It helps uncover hidden patterns that students may not even realize (example: a student who loves public speaking across different activities could make that a central theme).

I will be sharing an example template soon to help your child get started.

Please encourage them to begin this process now — it will save a lot of stress when college applications officially open!