Undergraduate / I had come upon a force that I could not understand; Academic Preparation [2]

I was hoping to use this one for academic Preparation!
PLease help me out!

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Throughout my junior year, I had come upon a force that I could not understand. I felt I had stepped on wet cement that dried very quickly and couldn't get out. These struggles ranged from academics, sports, and my family.

Junior year was the hardest to reach that level of greatness in class and at home. I had that constant scolding of, "Your not going to make into college at this rate!" and also the competition with my peers. I was too overwhelmed by everything and I was burnt out by the end of first semester. That same month my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer that was so rare that even the blood tests were inconsistent.

Tennis season came along and I was expected to make Varsity. In tryouts, there was a ladder system where whoever did not reach up to a certain level, they would not make Varsity. I passed that level by defeating 3 players that were from varsity the year before; however the coach believed I should have stayed on JV.

Through all this I gained 2 silver linings that I now apply to everyday of my life: The best is all you need and "Past is past."

Undergraduate / Music- Competitiveness, stress, relief, expand wonders- UC / Potential to contribute [2]

THis is for the Potential to Contribute on the UC app. Thanks...

Music has been with me all my life ever since I was 5, and still is a big part of my life. When I was 5, I was introduced to a great machine that consisted of 88 black and white rectangular blocks. At first my small growing hands could barely cover two of those huge white blocks. Now, I can cover more than 10 keys on each hand. Playing the piano for 10 years has helped me to expand to other instruments like the flute, drums, the turn tables and now in high school I am a section leader of the marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone section.

Freshman year of high school I was introduced to a xylophone, a bigger version of the piano except hitting the keys with mallets instead of fingers. Throughout the years, I had gained experience with professionals teaching me, and also gained leadership of teaching students. From my marching season, my section has won the highest award called sweepstakes a couple times. In the second semester I intend to compete with other marimba soloists that have the same passion as I do.

Music has been helpful for me in all ways for competitiveness, stress relief, and a great way to expand the wonders of the mind.