Example Of Personal Narrative

In the fall of 2016, my robin flew south--that beautiful bird that symbolizes hope and the promise of new beginnings. Thankfully, he’s returned, but the journey to bring him back has caused much tribulation. Last fall I’d been striving to achieve--focusing on academics, volunteering at my church, even being awarded most improved player in tennis-- but then the bird took flight, leaving behind the delicate cold of winter.
Winter’s darkness spread gradually and everyday dealings began to seem impossible: getting up each morning, socializing at school, making simple meals. Lost and hesitant, I internalized and suffocated my thoughts and emotions. Frustrated, I could not understand why I was unable to think, interact, and succeed the way I once had. I was trapped between my determination to succeed and my inability to do so. I longed for the return of spring, but instead I felt only disgust and anger towards myself. I lost connections with peers and family, leaving me even more isolated. My

grades slid, my friends disappeared and my interests faded.
As my inability to succeed academically collided with my diminished socialization, my parents took disciplinary action, further fueling winter’s storm--now I was not allowed to socialize even if I’d wanted to.

Unable to triumph, I lost sight of spring’s return and my insecurity grew, resulting in recurrent self harm. I kept everything to myself. Hopelessness and dejection overwhelmed me, and as my thoughts evolved, I felt worthless and desolate. I contemplated death daily and continued to self harm. Finally one night after filming a service at my church, I could not drive home, because I knew that if I did, I would purposely crash the car and receive my final, deserved punishment. That night I finally admitted out loud that there was a more serious issue than I could handle by myself, which lead to my hospitalization at Havenwyck. I lived there for eight days, followed by five outpatient days; all were filled with hard work and therapy, and the snow finally started to

thaw.
Winter began to end, but spring did not come quickly. Upon being released from Havenwyck, I began the slushy re-entrance into everyday life. The transition into normalcy lasted throughout the second semester of my junior year. Missing so much school made keeping up with the rigor of my old schedule seem impossible, so my doctors and parents agreed: I was I allowed a reduced course load which was helpful but still difficult. Slowly but surely, however, the frost became dew, and my robin finally began its long journey north--the beautiful bird that symbolizes hope and the promise of new beginnings began to fly back home.
I now sit at my computer, looking at my current semester grade point average: it’s 3.89 (or a 4.05 if you calculate the weighted class) which is something to be proud of. I know I must continue this successful performance, and I know that I have a new arsenal of knowledge and support which I can use to conquer my upcoming challenges. I am very proud of what I have accomplished through my hardships and struggles. Although I have much more to learn, enduring the emotional turmoil over the last year has awakened the perseverance inside of me. My new-found determination has given, and will continue to give me the strength to overcome and grow through any situation. I know that accomplishing my goal and entering this new chapter of my life, by attending your school, will leave the final traces of my past behind and play a vital role in finishing my story. Spring’s promise of new beginnings is here and The (This?) robin is ready to soar.