College Admissions Essay: Looking Back In High School

Up until high school, I never really knew what I wanted to pursue in. There were so many options and although I did have some idea before entering the 9th grade, I was still waiting to find a subject that I truly enjoyed. During my freshmen year, I finally found that subject – biology.

Earlier in my life I thought success was having a lot of money, houses, cars, etc. I grew up thinking that people who had lots of money were successful and happy. My obsession then, became to make a lot of money so that I can lead a successful and happy life. I have come to understand that success is not in the amount of wealth or property you have amassed.

I thought about what everybody thought of me I didn't make new friends and I pushed away the friends I did have. I was not a very good person sophomore year. I was so small in the world that revolved around me and knew there had to have been more. When I reached this point I started putting God back in my life. My mom held a bible study on Sundays instead of going to church because we didn't like the churches in our area and couldn't afford to drive elsewhere. I learn something very important going to the bible study, which is I can't live without

I lived in student home Verona for four years. My houseparents were Mr. and Mrs. Jester, at Milton Hershey School. I played field hockey for my 7th and 8th grade years of middle school. Someone who helped me when I was at MHS middle school was my sister Jada. She told the advice that I needed to hear when I was down or upset because I was on restrictions or developing. When I struggle in school she told me, “Get your grades up Gia or you are going to do bad in school and I do not want that for you. You’re a smart person and I want you to be successful in life.”

My Junior Year of high school just recently started. I have learned so many different things while attending high school, and still have over a year to learn even more. As Matthew Kelly said, “whether you are sixteen or sixty, the rest of your life is ahead of you. You cannot change one moment of your past, but you can change your whole future.” This means while I have done a lot in my past, I cannot change anything that has already happened, but I am able to change my future. One of the most important things that I am involved in right now is school. My first two years at CBHS were good, and I made decent grades. Some of the grades that I made I am not very happy with now but I cannot change that so I need to focus on my grades right now because those are the ones I can change.

After I graduated from middle school and entered high school, I experienced numerous changes throughout my learning and education. During my freshman year of high school, I was able to apply the skills, concepts, and knowledge that I learned throughout my years in middle school, which allowed me to gain success as a student. I

I made the decision to go back to school for many different reasons. I saw it as an opportunity to continue my education, potentially make more money in my career and prove to myself that I could accomplish this goal. Even after, placing this personal goal on hold for the past ten years, having three children and working. I knew this would definitely help me in the long run. It has always been dream of mine to graduate from college. To do what only two of my family members before me have done. Growing up in Compton, California. College wasn't an option for most, however I was fortunate enough to have parents who believed in me and my sisters and really pushed us to continue to further our education. I believe moving forward if I stay persistent

Freshman year I was shy and never really stepped out of my comfort space. I thought I was prepared for high school. I signed up for two honors class thinking that they would be hard but I knew I could figure them out. Reality was quickly thrown into my face.

I want to end this story on a happy note. I really do. But I dread me going away to college, leaving Inaara in high school. But I dread the idea of me pouring all of my hard work into this essay and only see the minus on my transcript. But I dread the day I'm going to have to confront Andrew, the kid with aspirations to football in college, about playing lineman instead of wide receiver again next season, signifying the fact that our passing in the morning had truly been for nothing. At least the essay I’ve dreaded for so long is now finished.

“You are not college material, look at these grades,” my Mother proclaims as she looks at my recent report card. “Stick with sports kid” my Father, adds. The sad part is, I actually believed them.

I’m Andy Adams a Junior in high school and in early middle college. I clearly don’t have a favorite subject yet, but soon enough. In English class I’m a little rusty on some stuff, but can work through it. I’m very motivated, when there is an assignment I’m on it right away and get done. I do get rusty on test and I still get retakes if I failed miserably and still get on it. I’m very good in English like I get a B previous English classes.

If I could go back to freshman year to change some stuff I would. First, I would go back and tell myself to not try so hard on my appearance, but still try every once in awhile to look decent. I look at some of my clothes now from 3 years ago and I want to cry at how bad I started high school. Usually I just wear something comfortable now. Second, I would tell myself to lay off the make up. I always had top and bottom eyeliner on and with my black hair, I almost looked emo. That change needed to happen earlier. Third, I would tell myself to get more involved, because now all I do is work when I should be playing basketball or joining a club. The last thing that I would tell myself would be to not date the first guy who

I was always told that things would change in highschool. You would meet new people, find new friends, and even discover a new class that amazes you. No one prepared me for what was going to happen Sophomore year though; no one saw it coming.

High school has been an experience to say the least. I’ve spent the last four years at Father Ryan attempting to find myself and my place in the world, much like puzzle piece. A puzzle has many pieces that contribute to an entire image when properly placed among each other. High school is similar to this idea because throughout the past four years I have constantly been trying to find my perfect fit and where I belong. When I was a Freshmen I molded my personality to fit anywhere just to have friends. Then when sophomore year began I realized how much of myself I was sacrificing to fit into the wrong place. Once junior year arrived I was getting closer to my perfect fit and now that it is senior year I’ve finally found my fit in the big puzzle called high school.

Currently, as a junior, I feel that the past three of high school have tremendously shaped my character. Arriving at the doorsteps of Manatee High School, I knew little of leadership, or service. To me, high school was and still is a journey. I've learned to give back to those who have helped me. Through various extracurricular activities, I've not only learned to be a team member, but a leader as well.