Personal Growth in High School

Transitioning from middle school to high school was a daunting experience for me. The environment was new, the distractions grew rapid and I was forced to take on more responsibility then I ever had before. I was and still am, faced with obstacles that look almost impossible to overcome each and every day. Attending high school here at Cass Tech was a growing experience that helped me mature at a fast rate. Reflecting back on my high school career, I realize how much I have grown and am appreciative of the people who have played an important role in my life both in and out of school.

Throughout middle school, I have always maintained a 4.0 G.P.A., but since entering Cass Tech my grades have dropped significantly. I stopped studying and started skipping class. I was more interested in socializing rather than doing homework. When it came time for report cards to be issued out, I would always find myself nervous because I knew that I have not put my best foot forward. Reality struck when I received the worse report card in my life. That is when I realized that I am in control of my future and the bad decisions that I make, affects me in the long run. This event led me to reevaluate my decision making, and surround myself with positive people who have the same motive in life as me and that is to be successful.

I often think about what it would have been like if I had studied more, focused more in class and set high expectations for myself. I did not realize the importance of how having good grades in high school could play such a determining role in college admissions. Since I cannot go back in time, I find great pleasure in encouraging incoming freshman to not make the same mistakes that I made. I would warn them of how fast high school goes by and why it is vitally important to spend his/her time wisely. Lastly, I would tell them to associate him/herself with positive people, do not procrastinate and make smart decisions.

As my high school journey is quickly...