Why I Didn 't Be A Prideful Identity That Not Only Represents Who You Are

Ever since I was a child, my parents put me in various sports: soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, and cheer. Both my parents grew up playing sports and realized that being a part of team sports benefits the growth of a person’s perseverance, determination and overall personality. Not only was I an avid multi-sport athlete as a child, my four other siblings were as well. Motivated individuals have surrounded me throughout my life. They have given me a great example of what it means to succeed and persevere. Not only have I been surrounded by strong individuals I have also been able to try different sports. While it was fun being able to try different sports, I realize early on that soccer was what I wanted to pursue. Soccer showed me how to be a part of a team and never give up.

My collegiate years, I juggled academics and athletics. As a student-athlete, I learned firsthand how to be a leader and a team player. My motivation as a teammate has been to bring the best characteristics out of my peers by being the best version of myself. I used my academic drive and love for learning to motivate my peers in times that are not optimal, for instance, on away game bus trips. I would initiate study groups with teammates. On multiple

Every student-athlete around the country attempts to find a good balance between their sport, and their schoolwork. While playing hockey in the winter, and baseball in the spring, I regularly find myself wondering about how to get my homework done after getting out of practice at 9 pm. Finding the equilibrium amongst sports and school is the leading factor in my success in the classroom, as well as on the field or the ice. Working hard in sports and school simultaneously is something that takes limitless dedication and focus, two characteristics that are essential for success in high school, as well as in college. Once I was able to

Throughout my high school career, I have challenged the pervasive idea that athletics come first in a student’s life during high school. In my community, football is seen as the pinnacle of a student’s senior year if they play. In my class, many people prefer to blow off homework assignments in favor of going to sleep after practice. However, my actions clearly display that I have challenged this standard and have placed priority on being a STUDENT-athlete. My football and wrestling seasons over the past four years have encompassed many long, exhausting practices and competitions. I, like every individual participant, was faced with the choice to go home afterwards and rest, or to study and strive to further their education. As I am

The predicament I am in right now is a blessing, considering the trials I have dealt with in the past. Growing up in inner-city Jacksonville propelled me into the man I am becoming today. Some of the circumstances that many inner-city adolescent youth deal with growing up, such as single-parent households, and inadequate financial stability; automatically dubbed me as a product of my environment. Paving a way for my family is what motivated me the most, and like many teenagers, I felt the task could be strictly achieved by athletics. I had a strong aspiration of playing professional sports, and had varying degrees of success in basketball, and football. Honestly, I was never considered the greatest by my peers, but it was hard to debate my work ethic. Seeing my mother work rigorously day in and day out inspired me. She encouraged me and imparted her knowledge on life’s challenges towards me.

For instance, winning competitions made me feel good, so that motivated me to work harder for me to get the first place. Also, I needed hot-blooded bursts of effort to masterfully execute sophisticated musical interpretations so I can satisfy the audience and myself. In due course, I started to see the fruits of my hard, sweaty work; I started winning many piano competitions. Much to my benefit, my hard-working skill transferred over to my academic endeavors as well, helping me to finish my homework in time while striving to create quality content. Although the process of working through tough musical spots in a music piece was challenging and painful at times, I learned through experience that being indefatigably persistent through the times of unbearably toiling moments is the only way to obtain my desired

“To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it become reality” (Anita Roddick). I never used to understand the true meaning of passion, I perceived life as a series of events you go to school, get a degree, get a job, get married, have kids, and then retire. It wasn’t until I made the decision to go to a school purely off of popularity that I came to understand what passion actually means. Graduating high school I made the decision to go to Virginia Tech to study Human Nutrition. During that year my grades began to slack, my motivation fluttered away, and my friendships became nonexistent. Yet the whole time one thing remained consistent and had my pure attention. That was the gym. I would be in the weight room everyday

Since I have never played a sport or been very athletic; the connections from the book Mind Gym by Gary Mack and lecture are more centered around my academic experiences as an undergraduate college student. In high school I didn’t have to work very hard to do well or succeed at what seemed to be difficult subject matter for my peers. I didn’t study very much, all I had to do was be present in class and listen. I made A’s and B’s with little to no effort. Now as a college student I find myself struggling to no avail. My freshman year I was clearly overconfident in a class that I had mastered in high school and thought that I didn’t need to work as hard, because I had seen the information already. Needless to say I failed

The family of my mother and my father both came from poverty. They did not have all the resources I have today. That is why they motivate me to take advantage of these opportunities and accomplish the unimaginable. Without my family, I feel empty inside and that is when I begin to fall down. I understand that I should not depend on them for motivation but they are just what keeps my engine running. The background of my family and of my childhood has created this ambition inside of me. It is not a bad type of ambition; on the other hand, it is an ambition to seek better academic excellence and great things in life. I want to prove myself by taking the most demanding classes that put my knowledge to the test and makes me think more and work harder. In the future, I want to be a better man that is strong in his faith and in his capabilities. The person that does not give up and works even harder just to accomplish his goals. I just want my parents to have the opportunity to observe me with pride and joy for graduating college and having the career and life of my

When I was younger, I was always extremely competitive, and I was always in a sport. I grew up playing volleyball, soccer, and basketball. My big goal was to play volleyball in college; however, it has changed dramatically as I have grown older. When I reached my freshman year of high school, I started to realize that winning wasn’t everything. I started enrolling in art courses and completely fell in love. The art teacher told us to never let anyone get in the way of your happiness and to dowhatever makes you happiest. After I discovered my talents in painting, I quit playing sports to explore the art program. Being in the art program has helped me to discover the talent and brightness inside of everyone. I love being able to find the good in people, and I would like to believe that everyone has light inside of

Being active has always been important to me, both physically and mentally. When I first started school, sports and learning became prominent parts of my life. I have played volleyball, basketball, and softball ever since I can remember and I have been very successful in athletics. Success also came to me intellectually. As a child, I loved to read and write about anything and everything. Learning all fifty states was an obsession I had before I had even begun school. My craving for knowledge increased even further when I actually enrolled in school. I always had the desire to push myself to achieve the best that I am capable of. Though I developed this drive and discipline at a young age, it has stuck with me all through my high school career.

In order to achieve my ideal life, I need to push myself. I want to be a successful Varsity Football athlete, and in order to do that I need to push myself during practice and in the weight room. I might get tired or mess around, and I need to remind myself to stay focused and work harder. At wrestling practice, I need to pay attention to the moves and the techniques that my coaches show, and practice those moves so that I can learn and understand them. As long as I continue I do those two things, I will have the successful wrestling season that I want to have. If I push myself by doing my homework and studying for tests, then I can get a 4.0. With my 4.0, I can go to college and be the successful student that I want to be. However, I take

A direct correspondence of motivation for me is being overlooked. At our school in fourth grade, we were permitted to participate in sports. During winter, it was basketball season and I was excited to play. Despite my initial confidence, I not playing well and could not make right handed layups as I was left handed. Because of this, I started being placed with the less athletic kids. I clearly remember being placed in the inside court, while all the “good” players were put outside. This hurt and angered me. At first, I decided to play with rage or just not try. Everyday after practice I was near tears and told mom I suck at basketball. One day after practice, the coach noticed I was very livid, he decided to bring into his office and I explained how I felt and he told I would probably be on the “B” team. The following the practice, we found out our teams, and

Another way sports has helped shape the person I am today is by teaching me discipline. I learned that in order to win games and become a better player, I must force myself to work hard and practice hard. By being disciplined, it helps me to stay focused. I stay focused on my games and trying to win, but at the same time, I stay focused about abiding the rules. Sports have taught me how imperative it is to follow the rules. Moreover, it has directed me to stay motivated. As you may know, quitting is never an option in sports. Therefore, I learned to constantly push myself to succeed. “Everything negative- pressure, challenges- It’s all an opportunity for me to rise” –Kobe Bryant.

Think back to when you were a child. While looking around, you often realize all of your friends playing sports are exceptional at them. You are not the ultimate athlete and honestly don’t enjoy sports at all, but you keep playing anyways. All of your friends’ play and your parents have always encouraged you to do well in sports and to be the best. You know there are other opportunities out there for you, but you don’t feel as popular just being satisfactory in school. In today’s world, high schoolers are constantly under pressure to do well in sports, but not necessarily in school. Life lessons, like getting a job or just being an overall good person fly out the window. Central High School focuses too much on athletics instead of academics; this problem can be alleviated through the encouragement of parents to promote academic success and to help set realistic goals.