We had all known that the senior portfolio was inevitable since freshmen year. And following the trend of most events in life, some quickly began action, while others dismissed it until the days crept closer. I was definitely caught in the middle of things.
The senior portfolio is ironically created during the last month of junior year. In this bulky, 3-inch binder lies every certificate, letter, award, and basically your whole life (in the span of your high school years of course). This binder has been referred by many a medical academy student as their "bible" dramatically enough.
And while the teachers grade by the placement of items in the portfolio, and not the quantity of what's in there, it does not stop the unconscious judging. This becomes unavoidable, as the only similarities the portfolios bare are having a cover photo signifying your property. The contents, on the other hand, resembles a snowflake in that no two portfolios are exactly alike.
This is one incident where quantity presents itself to the naked eye. How loaded your binder is proves how busy you were in high school in an on-the-spot basis. This sole idea brought on a barrage of anxious questions such as, "Can we put medals here?" "Are we allowed to put in pins/buttons?" Anything, really to fill in that taunting empty space.
For some, this portfolio will be an easy 500 points, while for the unfortunate others, comes an instant depression in grade. For the latter group, they aren't getting a bad grade because they didn't do much in high school. This grade is solely based on the fact that they lost track/threw away the awards/certificates that they DID have.
When I heard of the portfolio for the first time, and heard the tragic stories of those infamous mis-placer, I saw myself easily becoming another story to be told. And it was this fearsome idea alone that caused me to place anything I ever received in a specific drawer in my parents' bedroom for safe-keeping. So when it came time for the tediously long task my teachers referred to as "the hunt" mine in reality lasted mere minutes.
I definitely sympathized with all the poor souls in my class who did not experience the same fate. Their worried eyes and nearly quiescent freak-outs did not go unheard. In reply to the mentioned reactions my teacher stated,"Let this be an awakening of reality check for those of you who weren't responsible enough to keep track of important parts like these."
For those of you reading, you might not have a mandatory senior portfolio in your future, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. By having a binder chock-full of all your high school experiences, it becomes a convenient safe place for you, when it comes to professional interviews for jobs/internships.
Even if you're not looking for a job during high school, it remains essential to safeguard these papers because they are the sole proof that you received/earned them. Anyone can claim to have participated in a certain club or state that they won an award but the proof behind it has to be official.
I hope you've all had a successful school year and have an exciting, but safe, summer!
Author's Note: If you decide to do this portfolio for your own benefit and would like to know what you need/process of making it, feel free to shoot me a y-mail.
