Personal Narrative: The Day My Grandma Passed Away

October 10, 2013 was the day my grandmother passed away. While this may not seem to be significant, this was a monumental moment in my life. Prior to her death, I had been grappling with depression for many years, and with her death, it only seemed to intensify. My grandmother had resided with us; she had become almost a second mother to me. Her death was the first death I had ever experienced firsthand. The experience had been traumatic for me to say the least, but it had also taught me a lot about myself, and life. In the months following her death, it seemed that all my relatives began passing away. My grandfather passed away, two of my uncles passed away, and then my aunt.

Being surrounded by death forced me to accept the finite nature of life, a concept I had never quite grasped until I was actually forced to acknowledge it. Realizing that I too, could leave without a moment’s notice, I decided to take full advantage of my life. I was in a position not many people are fortunate enough to be in. I lived in a middle class family in a first world country where I am able to acquire education to better my life. I learned to appreciate that I

was fortunate to be in a place where very few children around the world are privileged enough to be in.

My grandmother’s death also drew me closer to religion. For perhaps the first time in years, I began to pray. I began to believe in a Deity higher than myself. I began to believe that I had been created for a greater purpose, and to misuse the position I was in would not only be negligent, but also extremely selfish. Realizing this, I began to reevaluate my priorities.

In my freshman year, I was in accelerated classes and my grades were mediocre at best. The realization of the finiteness of life, of the fact that I was here for a purpose, motivated me to become industrious. After much struggle to improve my grades, I managed to surpass my expectations. While my grades in the first quarter may have not been at all commendable, by the end of the year I had done well enough to move up to the highest level offered at my school for all of my classes. My dedication in school, has aspired me to extend my conscientiousness to Rutgers University, if awarded the opportunity to attend there.

My diligence also extended towards my religion.

By the end of my first year in high school, I was offered the position of Vice President of the Muslim Student Association. On Sundays, I began volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at a Sunday School in Piscataway. The following year, when a local Sunday school opened up, I was requested as a teacher by the principal. My position as a teacher was extremely significant as I was the only teenager teaching there at that time, my success as a teacher was the catalyst that opened opportunities for other teenagers to also teach. During the summer following my freshman year at high school, my friend and I started the YM Edison Neighbor-Net. The purpose of this organization was to create a friendly, comfortable environment for other youth to be spiritually empowered and gain

knowledge.

By sophomore year, I felt that I wasn’t reaching my full potential in school despite my placement in the highest level offered for each of my classes. I decided to enroll in an online school, and finish the last two years of my high school in one year. Online schooling taught me to become a self-directed learner, and the experience has instilled discipline in me.

If accepted to Rutgers University, I will do my best to extend the same assiduity I have displayed throughout high school. I will continue to display the same work ethic and drive that I have and I will do my best to exceed in all that I endeavor.