The Best Self One Can Be by Stephanie

The Best Self One Can Be by Stephanie - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

As a high school senior I feel that I have a pretty good grasp of how to navigate high school. I've been through freshman year and every year in between. I've grown. I've fallen apart. I've cried. I've smiled. But most of all, I've learned, academically and emotionally. I'd like to impart my knowledge of how to navigate freshman year throughout the course of this essay. However, I could write pages upon pages of useful tips, but they would be useless, for each situation is individual for the person experiencing it. In my experience though I have come to realize one thing. If one is true to him or herself only then can they learn.

As a high school freshman I was thrust into a considerably larger school with a bigger class and sizable expectations. I quickly fell into a groove: go to school, go home, study, repeat. I focused on school and nothing more. In that moment, it was enough to simply exist. However, I neglected to live. I limited myself socially and attended few social events with the intention of bolstering my grades. While there is nothing wrong with focusing on grades, there is a problem with neglecting oneself. When grades mean more than one would care to mention things happen. I quickly found myself equating simple, pure things as being dependent on my grades. My parent's love for instance. It is as constant and pure as a winter breeze. However, I found myself worrying that if my grades went down they would not love me as much. And that is no way to live. I took a step back and admitted that I had a problem. In the coming days I looked for local counselors. I found one and began seeing her. I realized that my issues ran deeper than just grades and a warped thinking process. I saw this counselor for the next few months and my mental health significantly increased. I became more open with those around me while also maintaining my grades.

The point I am trying to make is, in order for one to progress, whether if be in school or in life, one must be the best self one can be. I learned to be my best self by making a change in the way I thought, for it was unhealthy. There is a balance to life that we all must learn. Freshman life can be difficult but one must always remember to the best self on can be.