What I learned in High School by Maria

What I learned in High School by Maria - November 2013 Scholarship Essay

Comparing one’s self to others is something nearly every high school student is guilty of. High school is a beauty pageant and we are all fighting for the same crown. Who has the nicest hair, best smile, highest grade, even the “hottest” boyfriend? Students are clawing their way to the top and stepping on anyone who gets in their way. It’s a dog eat dog world, but why? To be the name on every students’ lips as you walk down the hall? Ten years from now what I wore yesterday won’t matter to Ashley in my 7 period, or to me, for that matter, nor will my scoring a better grade on a quiz than the boy sitting in front of me. Everyone, including me, tends to compare themselves to others who they believe have and do more. Why do this, if every time we compare ourselves to people we believe to be superior, we end up coming up short. School has taught me to judge myself on my own merits.

As a senior, I already have too much on my plate to be worrying about insignificant matters like jealousy. Instead of focusing on who in the class received the highest grade, I should concentrate on whether or not I did the best I could. Did I study all the material I needed? Should I have taken better notes? Was there something I could have done differently? Comparing myself to someone else is counterproductive. If I truly desire to excel, I will work hard and dedicate my time to being proficient.

When comparing ourselves to others, we end up belittling ourselves. Frequently, we turn out to be our harshest critics, and in reality there is no more severe a judge. We alone see our flaws and fears, yet we also must accept that no matter how much effort is put in, we will always be imperfect.
My plan, then, is to use only myself as the “x” factor in my formula for growth. Did I do better on the test I took today than on the one several days ago? How is my improvement in school compared to that of last years? If I persevere, in time, I know I can improve.
Ultimately, the only comparison that matters is a new and improved version of me.