Essay 1 By Barbara Seymour



Essay 1 By Barbara Seymour

My terribly skinny dance teacher loves to go to McDonald's. As she prances out of class she often calls out, "I'm off to have it my way!" I love this in her. Despite the stereotypes that dancers do not eat fast food, despite the fact that some think it will catch up with her one day she will get fat, she doesn't care. She is going to have it HER way. A little bit of selfishness, egoism, and conceit never hurts. I caution you in reading this, that I'm prone to the characteristics sometimes. I like to think that my approach to things is the best. I have been through high school; I'm applying for this scholarship, so I must have done something correctly, right? Dive right in, just remember that this worked for me, but you and I are not the same person.

Lesson number one: learn to budget your time. In middle school parents are always there, telling you when to go to bed, making sure you get up on time, asking if all your homework is done, checking to make sure it is really all done. When you enter high school you will gain more independence. You will have to take on more responsibility. Managing your schoolwork, sports, activities and social life becomes more and more your own responsibility. It is easy to get caught up in all you are doing. But if you aren't careful, there will be consequences. Trying to do too much is taxing on your health and your relationships. Soon you and your friends will be able to drive and your freedom increases ten fold. By balancing your schedule, you can keep everyone, including yourself happy. So use your study halls and don't go out every single time you have the opportunity. But don't study too much either, remember to have fun.

Lesson number two: get sleep. I'm absolutely serious. No joke. Sleep has been my saving grace. I'm a firm believer that sleep cures all sorts of ills, be it a physiological problem of a physical one. I have seen my friends struggle with relationships and slip in school on numerous occasions. The common thread? They are tired. After a good night's sleep, their lives once more seem manageable. I too, have had rocky times. The fall of my senior year I have a minor break down. I just didn't think I could handle the whole college thing on top of everything else. In the middle of a cross-country race I burst into tears and simply stopped running. I didn't think I would ever race again. I went to bed very early that night, and when I got up in the morning I have a new perspective on cross-country, college and life in general.

Lesson number three: Find a few close friends and don't worry about your "status" in school. In middle school, who you are friends with is everything. Being in the right crowd, having the right boyfriend and wearing the right clothes all seem to be the purpose of life. Unfortunately, that doesn't always change in high school. Make the change yourself. It isn't worth spending four year of your life trying to be something of someone you are not, you'll just regret it. Your friends don't have to be exactly the same as you. Some of my friends drink, I do not. I run, many of my friends do not. Your friends should be more than people who do the same activities as you. My closest friends are not just people I have fun hanging out with; they are people I have the utmost respect for, people I can trust and people that trust me in return. I trust that you will find your own path. What works for me might now work for you. Sorry, but that is the sad truth. There is no magic advice that will guarantee you happiness and success. Everyone approaches high school differently. It is all these different approaches that make it interesting. So here is my final lesson: have it your way.

Essay 2 By Jane Kim

A few months ago, I exchanged photographs by mail with a friend whom I had not seen in four years. My friend had moved back to Korea for high school while I stayed in the states, and although we had spent almost fourteen of our lives together, growing and playing as children, we barely recognized each other through the pictures. The truth was, I had grown over half a foot in high school, and she had turned into a beautiful young woman. Physically, our bodies appeared to be drastically different than before, and I could only imagine how our minds and personalities had grown and changed. High school is only four years for most people, yet it seems as if within this short period, students completely transform from children to adults, leaving the shells of adolescence in their trails. If I were mentoring a middle school student in preparation for high school, I would definitely have a lot to say. Besides staying away from the sausages sold at lunch, I would relay three important messages of wisdom to the student that I have learned from my own personal experiences. In high school, one must be open to experience and experiment with new things, while remembering and appreciating what (s)he has already lived through. Combined, these tools ultimately enable students to find their identities within the thick mist of questions, growth and many different people.

High school allows students to have more freedom and to decide their life agendas for themselves. It is crucial for people to try new things in high school and to be open to all that is available for them. Compared to middle school, high school is replete with numerous activities including sports, musical activities, social societies and issue-based groups. If I were mentoring a student preparing for high school, I would emphasize that four years passes incredibly quickly, and that you have little time to look back, but when you do, you do not want to regret not experiencing high school to the fullest. Thus, it is important to get out into the high school world and to join groups, to meet people who you have not known since birth, and to try new things. After all, when else are you going to be able to join a group for fun, for the experience and for no money? Who knows, maybe a hidden talent or love will be found during this process. Trying new things and being open to all types of experiences enables students to find their likes and dislikes, while having fun, making an impact on the community, making friends and expanding their minds. Believe it or not, searching by experience no matter how small or conventional the horizon may be, it helps broaden parochial views and leads to truth and discovery.

Within four year, countless positive events will occur, yet disappointment and rejection are inevitable. Throughout the emotionally fluctuating journey called high school, it is important to appreciate all that one does have. Many students around the world are unable to attend high school due to financial reasons or simply because they do not have support, and still others do not have the numerous opportunities that are available to students in towns such as Winchester. In all levels of poverty and bereavement, there is always someone who is less fortunate and has larger problems pounding in their lives. Compared to so many others, petty high school problems should not weigh down one's mind for too long. This does not mean that students should be stolid to problems or emotional hurt; it means that nothing should be taken for granted and that harsh and happy realities must always be remembered. Another thing that students should appreciate and recognize as an immense benefit in life, especially in high school, is their support systems. The unconditional love for friends, family, teacher, coaches and guardians is something that should always be recognized, appreciated and thanked. No one can survive high school without a shoulder to cry on, a person to listen , extra help after school, and some lunch money. The strength and encouragement from supporters is priceless, and high school is a time when these people should be appreciated, loved and thanked.

It is a proven fact that most freshmen ponder the same question; "do I fit in?" Through childhood and even into high school, being accepted is something all teens strive for, despite what they may say. In the chaotic bustle of "being cool", students should always remember and value their own morals and their true identity. In high school, it is easy follow and drift with the cool breeze of the masses while sacrificing one's desires, goals, opinions and ideals. It is more advantageous however, to be yourself, because as soon as the conveniences of cloning begins to wipe away, you will be left with nothing and with no knowledge of your own personality. Therefore, it is extremely important to take the time to find oneself through the important years of high school, even if it means that you may not fit in a few times. Being your own person also included following your own dreams and passions. High school is not a new life in any way; high school is just an extension of your life in general, and all experiences, loves and dislikes should be continued throughout these year. Although it may be hard at times, especially when you are forcing yourself upstream, ultimately, being true to your heart will build strength, determination, self-confidence and self-respect; these are all things that will be with you through high school and for the rest of your life.

Although some people may act as if they are nonchalant, everyone is anxious about high school to some degree. I would stress this fact to the student I was mentoring. Although high school, much like growing up, is awkward at first, and it seems like there are too many guidelines and questions, stresses and confusions, high school (though many people forget) is supposed to be some of the best four years of ones life. These four years are essentially the last years of childhood, as one is legally independent after graduation. It is important to be open to new experiences and to appreciate everything that you have, while being yourself, but it is also equally important to have a good time. It seems like a suspenseful movie or a roller coaster ride, but in the end, you'll find yourself surprisingly missing high school and wondering how the years dashed by so quickly.

Essay 3 By Emily Nolan

No matter how much my older brothers and sisters told me, I could never have been completely prepared for high school. No book of advice or voice of wisdom can prepare another for the situations and feelings encountered in high school. I can hardly narrow down the three most important lessons that I learned in possibly the four most difficult, unbelievable, and thrilling years of my life (so far!); but, I'll try. As a senior in high school, the three most important lessons that I can impart on an incoming freshman would be put your entire effort into everything you do, take risks, and most importantly, be loyal to your true self.

As a mentor to a younger student, I would tell him or her to put all effort possible into everything they do in high school. Never settle for mediocre. In my experience, I have found that as long as I put my entire being and soul into trying something, I end up feeling better about myself, no matter what the outcome is. Sophomore year of high school, I spent my summer training for soccer tryouts. I planned on being part of the varsity squad that fall. I put more effort into this than anything else before. I never made the team. After getting over the initial shock, I looked back on my failure as one of the best learning experiences of my life. I knew that I tried my hardest. I never walked off the field saying to myself "you could have run harder" because I knew that I did my absolute best. After all was said and done, I did not feel regret or sadness. I had overcome my failure by knowing that I did everything I could have done. In high school, coping with failure comes easiest when you know that you put your all into doing something. In high school, everyone fails and succeeds at one point or another. Only in trying your absolute hardest can you be aware of everything that you are capable of doing. Only in trying your hardest do you stretch your limits and learn your boundaries.

Risk taking is another essential part of "the high school experience". Throughout early childhood, the biggest risk you have to take is coloring books. Before entering high school, any big decision that needed to by made was made by parents or guardians. High school is the place where you can take your own big risks, but still be able to pick up the pieces if things fall apart. Trying new things and challenging yourself to explore previously uncharted territory will help you figure out who you really are. After my disappointing soccer experience, I had to either try something else or quit sports altogether. I finally decided to try running cross country. I was extremely apprehensive. I had never run competitively before and I had no idea whether or not I could deal with the pressure. I tried it anyway. On the cross-country team, I discovered my passion for running. Throughout high school, I have also challenged myself academically. In middle school, I was always in the high classes. But, high school offered much more demanding and rigorous courses. I could have taken the easier way out and opted for less demanding classes; but I didn't. I felt confidence in myself that I would be up to the challenge. Taking this risk showed my of how much I was capable. Any incoming freshman would benefit from knowing that it is ok to take risks. If you happen to fail, there is usually a way out. But, only in taking risks do you discover parts of yourself you never knew existed.

The most important lesson that I could impart on any incoming freshman would be to be yourself. Avoid following the crowd. One of the hardest lessons I had to learn in high school was how to be myself. Only as a senior can I look back on my high school experience and say this was the hardest lesson. As freshmen, we travel in packs to bathroom, play the sports that all of our friends play, and take the classes that all of out friends take. The more we progress through high school, the followers keep doing all the exact same things that their friends do, not because themselves enjoy doing so. But more so because they are petrified of straying from the crowd. The lesson I can give to younger students would be stray from the crowd. In my own personal experience, not being a follower and being true to myself has shown me who my real friends are. Your friends are not the people who want you to imitate them. Your friends are the people who respect and admire everything about you that is different, and love you for it. They do not judge you because you did not go out and get "hammered" last weekend, like "everyone else". Your real friends will be your friends no matter what you do.

Putting effort into all that you do, taking risks, and being loyal to yourself are the most important things that any incoming freshman will learn in high school. Although, four years of experiences can, in no way, be grouped together in these three separate categories. From each individual experience in high school, many lessons may be learned. The words of wisdom I can leave a freshman with would be good luck, and you will get through it. No matter how many times I thought to myself "this week, this month, this year will never end!", it always did. No matter how bad you think you "screwed up", time will fix everything that was meant to be fixed. I would also tell the freshmen to make the best of the time you have here. As I am sadly and joyously learning now (with 46 days and counting to go!), high school will be over before you know it. Make sure your high school experience is one that you will look back and remember, whether your experience is good or bad. High school is the place where you will reinvent the kid you were in middle school. And if you think you did not do so great reinventing yourself this time? Then there's always college.

How to Survive High School Essay Response Questions:

1. Cite this article. Author’s Last name, Author’s first name. “essay title.” Web. Date accessed (date month, year).

2. Summarize. What are the key points to this essay? In short, what are the “steps” to surviving high school according to your author? Briefly name and explain each step and summarize the overall point the writer makes.

3. How can I use this essay? In 3-5 sentences explain how you can use this essay. For example, if you were writing your own essay to a middle school student (as a high school mentor) what key points could you use to support your argument? What did you learn about the writers “style” or “essay structure” that could help you?

4. Use a highlighter to highlight passages from the text you might use in your own essay to an incoming freshman. Select one quote and rewrite it here using appropriate in-text citation. Quotes around selection, ellipsis (…) wherever you omit words, or if you stop before the end of a sentence/begin midway through a sentence, and a source citation at the end, outside of the quotes. “…” (Last name page #)

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