Be yourself by Amy

Be yourself by Amy - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

I would advise an incoming high school freshman to be himself. I would tell that person to never change himself in order to fit in because a person can never truly “fit in.” Every person will always do something that is a little bit different from everyone else. The key is to own that difference and be confident. The biggest way to rid off criticism is for a person to accept criticism and use it to better himself.

Often times a person will do everything he can to fit in because he doesn’t believe he will get friends if he is different. Although I said that everyone has unique traits, there are people who will be similar enough to a person to become friends with him. If a person’s friends start to grow distant and end the “friendship,” then they were never true friends. A true friend will accept his friend for who he is. Friends should never be so critical that they cause someone to change himself.

Maybe even a person’s parents would not accept him for the way he is. I would tell that person that it is his life, not theirs. In a few years after he graduates from high school and goes to college, who would be the one controlling his life and making his decisions? He would. His parents should be his greatest supporters no matter what. Out of anyone, a person’s parents should be the one to always encourage him.

Ultimately I would tell a high school freshman to be true to himself. No matter what is going on, whether it is studies, extracurricular activities, or sports, he should always do things how he sees they should be done. He never needs to compromise his beliefs with the beliefs of someone else.