Kelley B., Oakwood High School
Drowning in High School Life
High school life feels drowning in shallow water, you know you can escape -- remedy the situation, but this seems impossible in your panic-stricken state. Every negative comment and bad grade encourages the water to pool in your nose and mouth, stripping the air from your lungs. Building yourself and your confidence up, however, can result in the drainage of the water. With trembling legs -- you stand up and free yourself from this cycle of pain.
Self-confidence is fragile; it’s damaged with every harsh word or cruel judgment. I didn''t realize this until I transitioned from elementary school to junior high. During elementary school, everything was perfect. Nothing penetrated the blanket of positivity that I had cocooned myself in. But as junior high continued that impenetrable shield began to buckle- friends disassociated with me, people throw around insults like a harmless game of catch. Eventually, the grooves in my shield became cracks that turned into deep slashes. By the end of the year, I was defenseless against the harsh words and stares of my peers.
Fortunately, I found myself one approachable person; a friend. She cut through the darkness and smog that enveloped me-a sharp blade of sunshine. Her encouraging words and kind little comments made me excited to get up in the morning. With her, It never mattered how I looked or dressed, only my personality. This positive reinforcement built up my confidence and my shield against the hurtful things in my life. The rude acts that used to pierce like daggers no longer hit their mark. I knew that someone who wouldn''t latch onto the hate of other people.
My friend’s radiating positive energy led me to want to help other people. I would walk down the halls and greet people with a “How’s your day going?” or other forms of small talk. People would smile and laugh and enjoy themselves; it filled me with the purest form of happiness I’ve ever felt. As people began to enjoy my presence more, I became more confident and outspoken. I no longer wanted to cower in a corner as everyone socialized. I even made more friends who wished to build me up and not tear me down. Through these acts of kindness I gave out, and the support of a truly genuine friend, my moods transformed from insecure to confident, from pessimistic to happy. I know that I’m worthy of love and happiness.
So, if you ever feel like the water is drowning you, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make a connection with a new person. You never know who will pull you up out of the murky depths and guide you into the safe shore. Know that you are perfect the way you are. I implore you -- be an instrument of change, reach out to others. You never know what will make a difference, even if it''s with a simple “Hello.”
