Middle School Social Pressures Shaped my College Exprience by Jayley

Middle School Social Pressures Shaped my College Exprience by Jayley - July 2023 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I always loved going to school and learning. However, when I transitioned from a charter school to a public school in 3rd grade, I quickly realized that social pressures were a significant challenge. In my previous school, we had strict dress codes, including uniforms, specific-colored shirts, limited shoe colors, khakis, and no earrings. Switching to a public school allowed me to express my personal style. During my early elementary years, I encountered social pressures regarding my weekend activities and my choice of attire at school. I noticed that to be considered "cool," I had to own certain clothing brands and wear expensive shoes.
Growing up, my mother did her best to provide for me, but our clothes were often second-hand rather than brand new. Unfortunately, this became a prevailing trend within the school community, and it continued into middle school. During this time, I began to realize that my so-called friends were my biggest enemies. My former friends turned out to be my bullies, and one incident in 6th grade stands out vividly. Walking into the bathroom, I was met with their hysterical laughter directed at the makeup I was wearing. These girls rarely wore makeup themselves and made fun of the color of my eyeshadow. These "friends" became my worst nightmare throughout middle school, and by high school, we didn't even speak.
In high school, I found myself dressing like everyone else to fit in and stay on top of the trends. This was necessary because I had become an outcast among my friend group, which now consisted of popular kids. However, I decided to pursue my own interests and joined the Student Senate, a position that didn't attract many participants. Harnessing my leadership skills, I quickly rose to become the president of the Student Senate. It was during this time that I realized I didn't need to conform to be considered cool or keep up with the ever-changing trends.
Now, as a college student, I no longer feel the need to follow the crowd. I strive to be unique and embrace the best version of myself. However, I must admit that my previous preoccupation with what others thought of me had negative consequences as a student. While growing up, I wasted a significant amount of time and energy worrying about others' opinions, leading to losing several friendships. Instead, I could have focused more on building the education I desired. These setbacks, though challenging, have ultimately shaped me into the student I am today. I have learned to stop caring about what others think because, in the end, no matter what you give someone, they might still complain that it's not what they wanted.