Personal Narrative: My Education In Middle School

Over two years ago I was a naive, hopeful student ready to enter middle school. As I was going to be with my friends, the ones I’ve known since kindergarten, it was an exciting point in my life. My education felt like it would be the same as it had always been, easy, and I would fly through it quickly. People asked me what my plans for 7th grade year were, and I always replied with “I’m going to Steller!”, with the kind of enthusiasm you expect from someone so confident. Optimism was uncomplicated when I knew there were no challenges ahead.

“Your ignite teacher says you qualify for the highly gifted program! This is great news True,” my parents yelled with pride as I came home from school.

“I’m going to Steller right,” I responded to them

Because I got into this program, I went to Romig instead of Steller, isolated from all the people I knew. I went to the eggshell white prison that all these authorities said had the leading education in Anchorage. How could this education be ideal? The wide hallways that echoed my footsteps were a huge shift from my old school’s inviting powder blue carpets. Reeking of poor hygiene, this continued to be something I didn't look forward to taking part in, and it certainly wasn't going to be entertaining. Students were aggressive, as if each one I came across was ready to fight. The endless gazes made me self conscious, unconfident; a feeling I thought I was immune to. Being in a school that size made me feel like a number in a system, and my individuality was lost. Aquarian Charter School was so isolated, so peaceful, to the point where everyone felt exceptional. Unfortunately, Romig left me with a dreary sense that I was indistinct from everybody else.

The days were supposed to go by fast, but they were slow, and got slower. My new teacher were nice, but with the difference in their words I became quiet. I was jealous of the wisdom and knowledge my dominant figures carried, intimidated. Speaking in class was no longer an occurrence, but a personal goal. Naturally was how it happened before, and it made me continue dreaming of attending Steller. Avoiding challenge was how I'd get through it. Challenges are frightful,

These conversations happened often once I entered middle school. Constant discipline started, and grades stopped going unnoticed because they were no longer filled with those reassuring A’s. I never had to pay attention to effort. I became less engrossed with my education due to sports, and time management was a skill I had yet to learn. Towards the end of the quarter, I began to see 100% as impossible rather than the standard. Making it through with the crisp 4.0 GPA, that actually seemed to really matter now, stress was a new feeling to me. Sleep became necessary to think at the level I was expected to, and I experienced the pain of procrastination. In the midst of it all, I reached out to my parents.

“I know my grades are good, but that doesn’t mean I’m not struggling with all that’s underneath my belt,” I pleaded.

And when I expected wise words, they only said “You have to do this because it’s important for your future, don’t be lazy and quit,” my mother said in that same tame voice I’d become numb