A Little Friendly Advice by Justin

A Little Friendly Advice by Justin - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

It’s your first day of high school. You slowly trudge inside an unfamiliar building filled with new faces, new classes, and new smells. As you casually stroll into the cafeteria, you realize that you don’t recognize a single person. What do you do? As a freshman, I was told to do whatever it takes to be liked; be a “yes man”, and everyone will want to be your friend. So I did. I did whatever it took to be liked. Because of this, I built relationships with countless people.

Every one of these “friendships” crumbled to the ground.

I wish I could go back in time to stop myself from listening to all of the incoherent noises from those around me. If I could, I would tell myself to be who I truly am. When I was a freshman, I listened to everything that anyone ever said about me. I was therefore greatly influenced by everyone: sometimes good, other times bad. The people who I thought cared about me the most, didn’t. They used me, because they knew I would do anything for them.

Day by day, I stopped caring what others would think of me. I started to care less and less if that one popular kid didn't like my shoes, or if that cute girl didn't like my hair. I like wearing my Vans and having my hair messy. When I started to open up, I became friends with people with the same interests as me. These friendships have solid foundations, and will last a lifetime.

I am writing you this letter in hopes that you don’t fall into the same pit that I was once trapped in. High school is a crazy ride full of ups and downs, joy and heartache. You will find good friends and bad friends, too. You’re never going to have the exact same interests and views as your friends, but that is okay. Don’t change them to satisfy your friends. If they’re true friends, they will accept your differences. Be who you are, and you will have a great high school career, and an even greater life.

Sincerely,
Justin Halstead