High School Lessons: Acceptance, Confidence & Independence by Tapweski

High School Lessons: Acceptance, Confidence & Independence by Tapweski - November 2013 Scholarship Essay

High school has taught me acceptance, confidence and independence.

Throughout high-school I have observed judgment, bigotry and ignorance run rampant throughout the various classes. While observing my classmates talking behind each other's backs, saying the cruelest things, I realized the importance of acceptance. Too many people spend their time worrying what others think and getting caught up in the defiling of another's reputation just to further their own popularity.

Since learning of the judgmental tendencies of high school kids, I have attempted to reserve judgment on others. My refusal to join in on the negative rumors of high school has taught me confidence. By refusing to help circulate rumors, I feel as if I am rising above the immature and often cruel habits of high school. By refusing to talk behind other's backs, I feel that I have less to worry about other's talking behind my back. If they do... who cares?

High school is full of people attempting to find their own paths in life. In their search for self, many high school kids resort to cruel actions. I have no interest in being friends with cruel people and, as such, don't care about their petty rumors and pointless judgments. In this fashion, I have learned independence from high school. I have learned not to care what other people think which has relieved me through emotional liberation.