Undergraduate / UC Prompt 1 "My room of rest" [17]

I know some of you guys spend a lot of time reading this stuff on here so I really appreciate you taking time to read my essay. This is really rough, but i thank you all for commenting in advance!!

Describe the world you come from and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Although it sounds unnatural, the restroom has become a sanctuary for my life. It is my personal shelter and basically a second home. It is one of the only places where I can think and be myself. Outside of those walls were people, like my parents and friends, who place ideas in my head and make personal decisions for me. Out there were scientists with the remote to my control panel. Inside the bathroom, I could complain about the iniquities of life and also analyze myself to see if I was who I wanted to be. In a space so small and finite, it gives me a sense of security and secrecy. It was a place where no one would hear what I thought about others and how I viewed the world.

Stepping into new and unfamiliar territory didn't change how I saw things. I memorized colors of the walls that surrounded me and thought of myself bunkered from the horrors of the "real world." I made sure that the toilet paper was always to my left, a little security measure that satisfied my gaping fear of not having it. The walls were usually white or a cream color, which always soothed my moods whether I broke into the room crying or fuming with anger. Typically, in foreign landings, I would ruminate over my recent encounters and how I should have dealt with the situation with more pizzazz, but on such occasions where my father would castigate me with tough lectures or my friends would converse of their aspirations as a rocket scientist or as the nation's president, I take time to question where I was headed and if my future is really what I want and not what others want. The only real choice I had in my life was choosing my friends. My personality was influenced by my parents but I got to choose who I spent my time with. When I saw a part of myself or someone I wanted to be, that person effortlessly became a part of my life. Because my parents had raised me to have high standards in life, my friends were all competent and challenged me to become better than they were. Now that I have achieved those high standards and my goals seemed reachable, I came to a realization that I may not want to be the doctor or engineer my parents aspired me to become. This became a major topic of deep contemplation in whatever bathroom that I went to. Sure, my home was a place of independent thinking, but whatever thoughts that I produced were from an inexperienced mind. I was only a fledgling to the eagles that my parents were. They have lived in constant struggle; my parents always tried to balance their finances to provide my brother and sisters and me a quiet environment without worries. So, as I sat there, in the utopian society that was my bathroom, I decided that I want to strive for success as a doctor and provide for my parents, who put in the effort to raise me.

Undergraduate / 'Wrestling is a sport' - UC 2 an experience that is important [4]

I really need help with editing this so anyone that can help, this would be awesome. Thanks so much!

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud, and how does it relate to the person you are?

Wrestling is a sport that I had never considered being a part of at any point in my life. Being tall and long, I felt I was a complete contrast to that typical large and hulking wrestler. With a desire to be recognized, I joined the team in hopes that I would bulk up. My initial thought was that wrestling would be a side activity but it manifested as a part of my life and who I am. My first wrestling season was horrible. I expected that after practicing for a few months I would be able to pin guys in the first few seconds. The reality was that I lost all but three of my matches that year. Instead of gold medals, I received two cauliflower ears, a staph infection, and MRSA. As I reflected on my season, I only felt disappointment and regret. I remember the coaches telling me that everyday was a test, not for them or my peers, but for me. I realized that strength and muscularity wasn't the reason for my losses, although it would have helped. I needed a strong will to work hard to achieve set goals.

The next year I held a different mindset. Everyday, I pushed myself past my thresholds bearing the pains of a stressful workout and then stayed after practice to hone skills that I learned. Unfortunately, the time I spent after school, in dual meets, and in tournaments was taken away from my school work. I was at a crossroad of achieving academic success and becoming a decent wrestler. With every spare moment that I found, I did my homework and studied for upcoming tests. In between matches, I would take notes for my biology course and on the bus rides, I solved calculus problems. I made sure that I efficiently managed so that I could excel in both wrestling and academics.

As the junior varsity captain, I became more confident in what I did on the mat and in each classroom. I knew that the work ethic that I learned as a wrestler helped me to become recognized as one of the smartest in my classroom. Overall, wrestling gave me the mental fitness to power through any arduous task whether if I'm suffering from fatigue or tempted towards procrastination. I can handle any stress or pressures and overcome all hardships simply because I know I can.