“Metacognition,” announced my fourth-grade teacher during our morning English class, “is thinking about your thinking.” My class repeated the phrase, a disjointed chorus of 25 or so voices. After a moment, puzzled, I remember trying to discern what this seemingly simple phrase truly meant. 

I struggled to establish a theme for this column, to summarize the diverse topics I hope to write about in a single word. But as I recalled this memory, the concept of metacognition began to intrigue me. In a compilation of dictionary definitions, metacognition is more clearly defined as “an analysis or reflection of one’s thinking and learning.” Metacognition, I have decided, and what I have learned from my subsequent experiences, is what I hope to offer in this column. 

As I begin writing, my goals are simple. I hope to reflect upon my own experiences, to take time for contemplation and introspection. I want to explore my experiences with volunteering and searching for jobs. Learning to drive and navigating the obstacles that come with it. Finding the right classes to take and the buildup to college applications. Issues many of us as students have or will soon encounter. 

More importantly, I hope to share these observations, to offer a blend of information and personal knowledge. My intent in this column is not to persuade or advise, but to examine and analyze my experiences surrounding these topics. To prompt you all to consider your own experiences.

If there are certain topics you would like for me to discuss, please offer suggestions through the form available from this link. Furthermore, The Chatterbox encourages students to submit a “Letter to the Editor” for topics they wish to write about.