As I began my high school experience, the phrase that I heard the most was, “You should be more like your sister.” My sister was valedictorian in high school and fit this stereotype perfectly. Her grades were always stellar; she was a champion in the classroom. She is the kind of the person who could light up the room with her personality. She is able to balance being an articulate, intellectual, and a funny, dorky teenager. Although she is young, she is incredibly responsible; she would consistently help my mom around the house when she was not doing her homework. I have always felt pressure to be just like my sister and stand out in the same ways that she had. Throughout my high school career, I realized that although I may not have a 4.0 GPA, I carry an outstanding amount of attributes that may separate me from the rest.
To be a valedictorian, my sister was not always available to other people; she focused most of her time on her own academics. On the other hand, I am always there for someone who needs me. My relationships with my friends are incredibly important to me and I feel the need to support them no matter what. I put others before myself when it is necessary; I enjoy knowing that I have helped someone through a difficult time.
My sister could walk into a room and is instantly known for her intellect. Her accomplishments make her stand out from everybody. Although I do not have a plethora of facts in my head like my sister, I bring a surplus of passion. I bring a sense of positivity and joy–a welcoming feeling. I have been told throughout my life that people feel comfortable around me because I am approachable and kind.
Furthermore, I may be not be valedictorian, but I am a diligent worker. In my courses, I commit extra time to concepts I do not understand until I master a skill. Through this tenacity, I am able to adapt well in challenging situations. I demonstrate this quality in my math classes, for example, because I know that any question could be answered as long as I dedicate my time to what I crave to accomplish. What intrigues me about math is that there is always more than one way to solve a problem and one can improve through rigorous practice. This concept can be applied to areas of my life as simple as video games. My parents are always telling me that my affixation with video games can be personally detrimental. However, I feel that video games are a learning opportunity. For instance, games are given updates and with these updates come all sorts of new content. As I adapt to the new content, I must take part in extensive research. I watch various informative videos about the new content out so that I will not fall behind. The way I see it, I am developing my adaptive skills as I conform to the new updates. I am learning to be motivated as I vigorously work to assure that I am maximizing my full potential in the game.
Growing up with such a scholar put a lot of pressure on me, but the pressure slowly developed into motivation and self-identification. I am more than proud of who my sister has become, but I am equally as self accepting of who I am. I aspire to become the best version of myself, expanding my natural abilities and developing fresh ideas to use to my advantage. I admire who I am, and only plan to improve myself as I continue to educate myself.
