Moving + Loneliness = Life Advice by Rebecca

Moving + Loneliness = Life Advice by Rebecca - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

“Everything is what you make of it, choose to make it good.” This life changing lesson came from my 5th grade English teacher. It is the best advice I have ever received, and I will never forget the day she gave it to me.
I had just moved. 5th grade is supposed to be a fun time spent with your close friends in celebration of finally reaching the end of your elementary school career, and I knew literally no one. I didn’t have anyone to sit with at lunch, or to hang out with after school, or even to talk to during class. My friendlessness began to wear on me, and I started dreaded going to school every morning.
One day I expressed these feelings in a writing prompt assigned by my English teacher. When I received my essay back, there was no grade - only a “see me after class” message.
“Uh oh. This can’t be good” I thought. The message distracted me for the rest of class. What was she going to say to me? Was she going to give me an F? I had never gotten an F before! Once the bell rang, I packed up my things slowly while the rest of the class left the room. After they had all filed out I walked up to my teachers desk.
“You wanted to talk to me about my essay?” I asked.
“Yes,” she responded. “I want to give you an A on this assignment, but first you have to do something.”
“What?” I was extremely surprised that she needed to talk to me about receiving an A. “What do I have to do?”
“You need to make some friends, get involved,” she replied. “It will make school so much more enjoyable. You can mope around your whole life, or you can choose to do something about it. Everything is what you make of it, choose to make it good!”
That night I made plans to follow her advice. Although I was nervous, the next day I stayed after school for art club. I started painting, eating snacks, and talking with some new people. The day after that I went back to my teacher and told her I had some friends in art club, and I had even sat with someone at lunch! She gave me my A and reminded me of what she had said previously. I spent the rest of that year with great friends, having fun and celebrating our move up to middle school.
I moved three more times after my teacher gave me that lesson. Each time I started at a new school I would remember her words and get involved in order to make friends. I even took her advice outside of school and became involved in the community, doing volunteer work and tutoring. The last time I moved was right before my senior year started. I was in the same position I was in during 5th grade, but worse. This was not elementary school I was graduating, but high school. It is supposed to be one of the biggest events in your life and I, yet again, had zero friends. Not only that, but my younger sister had recently been diagnosed with leukemia. How was I supposed to make good out of that situation?
Thanks to my teacher I knew exactly what to do. First I got involved with the marching band and the drama department. Both groups were extremely welcoming. I had tons of fun, and they gave me friends and a support system in dealing with my sister’s illness. When I was with my sister I also followed my teacher’s advice. After some thought I remembered how helpful art club had been in 5th grade. Therefore, to make the best out of a terrible situation, we spent much of our time at the hospital in the art room. In doing so I discovered my dream job: Art Therapy. I would never have found this job if not for the prompting of my teacher’s words. By the time graduation rolled around I had many amazing friends who I will keep in contact with for the rest of my life. Not only that, but my sister had gone through a bone marrow transplant and was cancer free!
As I start the next exciting chapter of my life I will continue to heed my teacher's words. I can not wait to get involved on my college campus and make new friends. Plus, whenever something terrible happens to me, like if I don’t get the job or I fail a test, I will strive to find or make good in the situation. I will never forget the words of my 5th grade English teacher: “Everything is what you make of it, choose to make it good!” I hope you also listen to this advice and make your life good, because I know I definitely will.