Undergraduate / I have an obsession for dramas; cinderellla moments? [2]

I have an obsession for dramas. I literally need to watch an episode every day. Each time as I watch an episode, a smile automatically appears on my face. I can always relate my fantasy life of being in love, being rich, being famous, and more. I always pretend that I am the one in the drama, playing the role of the rich girl getting everything she wants in life, but the one thing she doesn't have is a family that loves her. I playing that role in my imagination, makes me realize that the materialistic life is nothing without the real life of consisting family, friends, and happiness. Once I come back to reality, I start to appreciate, and care more. However, that experience or idea of being in a fantasy dream makes me so happy. That idea of escaping to a new world even if it is in my imagination allows me to relax and take a break from the world of stress. Probably every drama I watched, it was about a love story. I had never been in love, had a boyfriend, or even had my first kiss. But, as I watch an episode about love and imagine myself being the one in love; it allows me to somewhat understand the meaning of love. I feel like the dramas that I watch teach me about the real world and the dream world. Every girl always anticipates for their Cinderella story, even I do. However, I know I cannot just waste my life waiting for that Cinderella moment; I have to build a life that I can control. Watching dramas that contain the Cinderella moments allow me to have hope to have one of those moment in one point of my life. Dramas also give me inspiration towards my style. Especially, this one particular drama called Gossip Girl inspired me view fashion towards a different perspective, outside of my comfort zone; it allowed me to broaden my horizons. Gossip Girl taught me that true fashion comes within oneself and that their personality and identity can be seen through ones style. Every time someone compliments my outfit, it makes my day. I know that rather than copying people's outfits, it's better to come up with your own style in order to show your own personal taste. I know when I am having a bad day; I can come home, turn on my laptop and play an episode. That moment right when the episode plays, I feel like I am my own little world and everything around does not exist. Right when an episode ends, I always want more. It antagonizes as I have to wait for the next episode to come out. I constantly think of the ending scene in my head and even come up with my own scenarios of what is going to happen next. Every drama has its own little quirks that make it so unique which is the reason for my obsession over dramas.

Undergraduate / 'A white piece paper with a huge, red F' - Academic Geek - Describe a challenge [2]

A white piece paper with a huge, red F hangs on the fridge door like it's mocking me as I open the fridge door every day. Ironically, maybe if I drew straight line to make the F look like an A I could convince myself I was the winner; I got the A. However, I didn't that F was a daily reminder of my flaw.

During second week of junior year, I was in math class, and my teacher was handing out the class's first graded test. I was a nervous wreck with sweaty palms, non-stopping foot tapping, and continuously nail biting. I knew the second the paper fell in my hands, a nightmare was about to begin. I told myself a C is not that bad. However, an unexpected letter was on my test. There an F was stamped on my test. I thought it was a dream; so I pinched myself. I checked and checked for any mistakes that the teacher made. Sadly, she made none. I told myself that everything is going to be fine even if I knew it wasn't. I tried to hold off the tears till school ended. As soon as I went home, I went to my room, slammed the door, and cried till my eyes were puffy and red. I was devastated and scared for the rest of the year. My whole week was ruined. My mom kept telling it was okay and even bought me ice-cream to cheer me up, but nothing worked. My world has been broken to pieces. I thought my life was over. After the depression stage, I moved towards hatred towards my teacher. However, I knew that I should be the one to blame. I decided the best way to forget this nightmare was to sleep. The next day I went to school, trying to be optimistic about this experience. In math class, my teacher announced that students could retake the test. That moment I could see angels and hear choir singing "hallelujah". I saw the beautiful light from the darkness that surrounded me. Immediately, I came up with a plan to get an A on the retake. I stayed every day after school consulting with my teacher, studied at least an hour every day, and before test day I studied till I fell asleep. I woke up the next day feeling confident. I went to math class and looked at the retake. I blanked out, suddenly forgot everything, and my self-esteem went down the drain. The only thought that occurred to me was to finish the test and leave the horrid math class. Two days later, I received the test with a big C. I felt relieved, but still depressed. As I saw my friends smiling, I thought to myself life continues; there's always next time. My plan was to get a higher grade on the second test, and I succeed.

Oddly, instead of feeling confident, I felt anxiety and nervousness up to the moment I got the test. Two days later, I received my grade. A beautiful big, red A with a smiley face was marked on my test. I thought I was daydreaming, so I told my friend to pinch me. But, I was not.

From this experience I learned that a challenge can always be defeated. As long as I am motivated and devoted to a goal, the goal can be succeeded. Even when it seems like your world is falling apart and there is no way of escaping, a light is shined upon somewhere. Failures in life taught me that I can conquer anything as long I put my mind and heart to it. This challenge tested my ability to accept my imperfection and defeat. Over the year, my failure will be covered by accomplishments, and my self-reliance will rise