High School Identity Research Paper

Transitioning to high school was frightening. I imagined it to be like in the movies, where the freshman were bullied and stuffed into lockers. Although my prediction was wrong, the new environment was very different from anything I had experienced before.The small community of friends that I had built in middle school was separated, and a blank slate was presented in front of me.
At the beginning of middle school, my shyness led me to be secluded with very few people. I was the kid who sat alone in the cafeteria and ate my lunch quietly. One day, however, a group of kids approached me and sat down. I remember their warm smiles and the way they talked to me. From then on, they included me in all of their activities and were always so kind and caring. They helped me break free from my insecurities. I was always afraid of not being able to fit in, but through them, I realized that I just needed to be who I was. I knew there were more people like me in the world who needed an opportunity to express themselves. I recognized the importance of accepting the identity of others since it makes each person a unique being who carries their own story that can’t be interpreted just by their appearance. The only reason why I can have my

present perspective is because of the friends who helped me open up, and I realize their forever lasting impact on me.
Once in high school, I realized I needed to apply what I learned in my daily life. All my friends took different paths and branched out. The transition was a difficult time in my life and I struggled desperately to fit in and solidify my friendships. I turned to an old friend and noticed the distance that has grown between us. Instantly, I realized the things I took for granted. Not being able to connect to my old friends pained me and I concluded that those who were closest to me at one moment could be a face passing by the next. Seeing friendships lost with a few twists and turns in my life made me enjoy the time I spent with everyone from then and on.
The importance of my friends’ influence in my daily life also made me more respectful. After opening up my perspective, I noticed so many different kinds of people. I understood that my perception of others was skewed and I no longer considered the common stereotypes and prejudices placed upon others. I started to approach people I normally wouldn’t have, and that’s how I met one of my closest friends today. My goal is to become someone who can be there for anyone and support them through anytime.
Going through a time period without support has also taught me the importance of a positive mentality in any situation.

I learned that a healthy mentality also reflects positively on my work ethic. Without a positive mentality, I wouldn’t have been able to remain standing after prior failures. Bad grades, fights with friends and insecurities were things I had to deal with through my time at high school. These problems built on one and another, and amplified each other. They made me more insecure about myself and my own abilities. Because of these problems, only negative thoughts swirled in my mind. Realising that my mentality wasn’t taking me anywhere, I tried a new thought process, to keep moving forward and look at the positive things in

life.
After surviving freshman year, something became clear to me. Life will always move on, and everyone will face countless hardships. However, the things I took from these times helped me become more knowledgeable and understanding of myself and others.