Rebellion and Failure- a Life Lesson by Caroline

Rebellion and Failure- a Life Lesson by Caroline - February 2017 Scholarship Essay

As a teenager, it is our inevitable fate to attempt some degree of rebellion. Nearing the end of our adolescence, we find ourselves trapped in a tough inbetween, while the world continues to be full of so many unknowns and seems to be against every choice we wish to pursue. In other words, teenagers are considered children, with little experience, and a lifetime to learn. Yet, they are faced with life choices that require a maturation, and often times this does not happen overnight. Life gives us schedules that may be overwhelming, yet insightful. As I entered my own phase of rebellion, I recognized that I subconsciously thought of myself as invincible. This unintentional perspective of my own being would backfire, as I was blindsided with a wakeup call. I failed to acknowledge my parents wisdom, and instead of taking their advice into account, I was more than confident that I would be better off without their suggestions.

I was involved in a multitude of extracurricular activities. My parents went to the edge of Earth for me, as they drove me from soccer game, to dance class, to Girl Scouts, and back to the field for Tee-ball. By the time I was thirteen, for my parents sake, my schedule was compressed to only three activities. As the years passed, I noticed the thirst for competition and victory had arrived at my door step. This desire allowed me to compete in the lacrosse program for the first two years of my high school career.

Months before my third year of lacrosse play, my parents encouraged me to prepare for the upcoming season. Of course I did not listen. Rather, I simply made eye contact, nodded my head, and let their words crawl into one ear and fly out the other. I was confident that I would retain my previous position on the team. On the last day of tryouts, the entire lacrosse program had gathered in the locker room to await the results. As I packed up my equipment, I was summoned to the coaches office. To my horror, I would not return to my spot on the team that season.

The memories, the friendships, and the games that I had once enjoyed before, were taken from me within an instant. In fact, the most upsetting component was that I had taken the opportunity from myself. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I had taken the sport for granted, and became my own worst enemy in the process. My parents reviewed this matter with the director of athletics at my high school, with no success. Instead of accepting my parents guidance, I was ill prepared and chose my own fate. It was at this moment that I swallowed my pride, and recognized the consequences of my actions. I decided that I would do whatever it took to continue to be a part of the lacrosse program. Although I would be unable to take a place on the field, I would still remain a valued participant as a statistician.

Although as a teenager it seems like it is our inevitable fate to experiment with rebellion, no matter one’s age, one will always be held accountable for their actions. It is a part of growing up and learning from one’s mistakes that builds character. With that said, listening rather than hearing your parents wisdom will guide you down a path to meet your full potential.