I entered freshman year in September determined to tackle high school and conquer test after test, assignment after assignment. Despite my intentions, this year did not go exactly as planned; by second quarter I was struggling to stop making “stupid mistakes” in math (I once wrote that 3 + 2 = 6, hard at work inventing my own new arithmetic properties!), by third quarter I was counting the days until break, and by fourth quarter and the time finals rolled around, I had to drink expresso frappucinos to stay awake. There have been many frustration-filled nights spent memorizing the hormones of the human endocrine system and selecting the most pedantic words for my English assignment, and I often feared what greater challenges sophomore year would bring.
But there have been so many amazing memories as well. I remember the Pep Rally in the fall and cheering with my classmates. It’s hard to believe that the year is drawing to a close already.
I’ve also loved the new opportunities that are offered in high school, such as the extracurricular clubs. I was so excited by basically every club at the Club Fair, and narrowing down my list was a difficult task. For me, it ultimately came down to Model UN and the Panther Voice, which have definitely allowed me to explore and develop my passions in writing and global affairs. I love the days when a new issue of the Panther Voice comes out because I see kids reading the paper throughout the school day and feel proud to know that I was part of working on the paper. Also, one of the best experiences of my life has been attending the Yale Model United Nations conference; I loved the entire process of engaging in moderated and unmoderated caucuses, proposing points and motions, working with others to write working and resolution papers, and amidst this all, creating lasting friendships with kids from all around the world who share the same passion as me. I can’t wait to continue participating in these clubs for the next three years of high school.
Freshman year has been stressful at times and at first, I was shocked by how demanding high school is. But being challenged has led me to grow as a person. I’ve learned over the course of the year that it’s important to stay strong in the face of adversity and think logically about managing your time and juggling various activities; that you should lean on friends for support and ask teachers for help when you need it; that it’s much easier to get bad grades than it is to get good ones, but that hard work tends to pay off; that not everything goes your way, and being mad doesn’t change anything; and that Chipotle is a great comfort food and it’s particularly great if you order it with barbacoa.
Nearing the end of my freshman year, the thing I am most proud of is that I worked hard to maneuver the obstacles that the year threw my way, even though I was not always successful. But while that’s life, a package deal with both wins and losses, I’m still not ready to settle; I know sophomore year will bring more formidable challenges, but that brings me to one last thing that I’ve learned this year – when you’re faced with greater challenges, always rise to the occasion and overcome them. Just as mountains are meant to be climbed and boundaries are meant to be overstepped, walls are meant to be broken, and as a sophomore, I look forward to shouting “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” and bringing down my own Berlin Walls.
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