Passion—you can find it everywhere; school, work, and the environment you surround yourself in. A person’s dedication to the pursuit of their goal or hobby is motivated by their passion, which is a powerful emotion or feeling. It is quite individualized and varies widely from person to person. Additionally, it can enrich and complete a person’s life and serve as an example for others. 

Passion can be expressed in a variety of ways, including artistic interests like music or painting, athletic and academic pursuits, and more; one of my interviewees, Dana, a seventh grader, has a passion for horse riding which she claimed, “Personally as an equestrian, I’ve always enjoyed the freedom—all equestrians get to have and it’s just a really physical and fun thing to do.” 

The development of a passion can result in greater satisfaction, personal growth, and a sense of purpose in life. But time plays a significant role in it all because you need to have the time for your passion, and time seems to slip from right beneath your palms the more you age to your teenage years because of your focus on school work.

After conducting several interviews and receiving various answers, I found the topic of what can grab a person’s attention to their passion to be particularly noteworthy and deserving of further attention as we can connect it with time. 

Time can be a precious commodity, and it is all too easy to let life’s responsibilities get in the way of pursuing one’s passions. However, passion, challenge, inspiration, and curiosity are powerful motivators for dedicating time to exploring and developing one’s interests. Whether it’s through taking up a new hobby or diving deeper into a favorite subject, investing time in one’s passions can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.

During one of my interviews with a teacher, Azra Husain, the question of what grabbed her attention to her interest was asked. She replied, “In my final years of high school a few of my friends studied Psychology as one of their subjects and they would talk about the things they’d learned during break and lunch times. I found it all incredibly interesting and wished I’d taken the class myself!”

This is a really great example of how time is considered a precious commodity since it is finite and non-renewable. Once time has passed, it cannot be regained. Students often have a limited amount of time to pursue their goals, aspirations, and interests, so they need to use it wisely. Furthermore, time is considered a valuable resource because it is the only thing that people cannot accumulate or save for later use. They must make choices about how to allocate their time and make the most of the limited time they have, which is why it is considered precious.

In Gems American Academy, students aged 17 to 19 are typically focused on their studies and future prospects, which could explain why they answered “no” to the question of whether they have considered their passion.

A student can start the process of discovering their passions by exploring their interests. Interests are often a good starting point as they can provide insight into what a person enjoys doing and what they find engaging. By digging deeper into their interests, a person can uncover new passions, develop new skills, and gain a better understanding of what motivates and excites them. Engaging in activities related to one’s interests can help them identify their strengths and potential passions. This process of self-exploration can lead to the development of a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as the person can focus their energy on the things they are truly passionate about.

Like Alyazya, a twelfth-grader, stated, “My passion is reading Arabic books ,specifically poems. I always loved reading them because they have a deep meaning. I lose track of time when reading them because I often try to figure out the meaning of each poem.”

To connect it with school, exploring one’s interests can make education more engaging and meaningful. When students discover their passions and pursue them in their studies and extracurricular activities, they are more likely to be motivated and invested in their learning. This can result in better academic performance, as well as the development of important life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. Encouraging students to connect their interests with their education can also lead to the development of lifelong learning habits, as they are more likely to continue pursuing their passions beyond the classroom. By connecting interests and education, students can make the most of their school experience and develop a strong foundation for their future pursuits.

However, there can be a potential negative side to connecting interests and education. If a student is too focused on their passions and disregards other important subjects, they may miss out on a well-rounded education and opportunities to develop a diverse range of skills. Additionally, students may become overly focused on grades and performance related to their passions, which can lead to stress and burnout. It’s important to strike a balance between pursuing one’s passions and ensuring that all necessary subjects are covered in a comprehensive manner.

What can assist in balancing the positive and the negative is by managing time since it effectively helps students balance their passions with their academic responsibilities, avoids burnout, and makes the most of their school experience. By prioritizing and allocating their time efficiently, students can ensure they have adequate time for both their passions and their studies, stay focused on their priorities, and minimize the potential negative effects of becoming too focused on their passions. This can be achieved through creating a schedule, setting goals, time blocking, and limiting distractions.

Finding one’s passion is a journey that is worth embarking on, as it can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

So, tell me what ignites a spark within you and drives you to pursue your dreams and interests with unwavering determination, hm? What is that one thing that gives you purpose and a sense of fulfillment in life? What do you believe in so strongly that you can’t help but pour your heart and soul into it? What makes you feel alive and inspires you to push beyond your limits?

What is YOUR passion?