Create Your Own Path by Danelie

Create Your Own Path by Danelie - March 2019 Scholarship Essay

The transition from middle school to high school can take some adjusting to, because you go from being the oldest at your school to the youngest. It's at this time that the reality of graduation being only four years away (1460 days goes down by faster than you think) hits you in the face. You'll have some big decisions to make, such as what type of classes you'll want to take, what college you'll go to, and ultimately what career you choose. You'll be influenced by a lot of people and things-- friends, teachers, parents, social media. It will seem easy to jump on the bandwagon of what's "popular" or what's "in". But we can't base our lives around fads, because they will ultimately fade away. We have to put careful thought and consideration into every decision we made to make sure it is a good one, and seek advice from an older trusted adult.
I once heard a quote that said: "We all know that we were born and we know that we must die, but what we do in between that time is up to us." Not our family, not our peers, but us. In the end, if we base our lives around what people think of us or what people want for us, we won't live happy lives and we can't reach our fullest potential. So instead of unsatisfyingly living someone else's life, create your own path-- one where you are successful and happy-- even if no one else is walking it.