Oh, the Places You'll Go!

My last year in high school, my last year as a teenager, my last year at home; this past year has flown over my head. Though I distinctly remember dreading having to write yet another college essay, I also feel like that era was ages ago. I remember the first day of the year: getting to school early to see the senior sunrise that was in reality a gray sky blemished by dark clouds. I remember my birthday in November when my friends threw me the best surprise party ever. I remember visiting India and slightly regretting my trip as I was overwhelmed with all the work I had to catch up on. My senior year, and moreover my four years at this school, have really taught me a lot, especially outside the realm of everyday student life.   

the senior "sunrise" ^

One change I have noticed in myself has got to be in my rigidity. In junior year, the constant stress to maintain good grades and receive exceptional standardized test scores genuinely altered my brain chemistry (no joke intended). My days were very similarly structured and my social life severely deteriorated. Any deviations from studying and my everyday structure would cause me to worry because my only focus was getting my work done. This year, however, I have loosened up quite a lot. Though I have the same difficulty in classes (if not more), I understand that spending time outside of studies and work is acceptable and even beneficial. My social life has been on an uprise (thankfully–it’s my senior year!) and I overall have found myself much more alive than I was last year–which is a perfect segway into my next idea.

i spent more time tog w/ lofi girl than my friends in junior year

As an adolescent transitioning into the next phase of my life, I have taken a lot of time this year to reflect on who I am, what I want to do, and where I want to be in the next few years. All my life thus far I have been very diligent and hardworking but never had a clear purpose in mind. This year, that’s changed. I now work just as hard but with intent–with a passion to get to a goal that I, not anyone else, have set for myself. As I said before, I feel more alive because I’m not just following a model of expectations but am working to chase my own dreams. I have decided that I want to study medicine and I have been accepted into a prestigious program that will help me do so.

me fr

My high school career has been full of high ups and some very, very low downs. When I was told that high school was going to be tough, I felt rather nervous. Ignoring the countless nights I have stayed up studying, the hours I have spent stressed out about my life, and the sharp pangs of anxiety and dread I have felt walking into the school building, my high school experience wasn’t really that bad. Every decision in my life thus far has led me to where I am today and, well, I am happy with where I am now. Though there were definitely times I regretted my life choices, I want to focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past. I’m thankful for the experiences I have been able to have here during my four years at Troy High and look forward to what the future has in place for me :)