Undergraduate / "The Biggest Change of My Life" - UF admission, A Senior in High School [10]

The Biggest Change of My Life

Last year at my high school, I was referred to as "Nebraska." Not that I asked to be called "Nebraska" or that I was a die-hard fan of the state, but because that's where I used to live. I had lived in Nebraska ever since I was a baby. I grew up with the same group of friends and we all attended the same school. As a 16 year old girl who only cared about having her license, moving away from everything and everyone I knew was never a thought that crossed my mind. Moving to Florida was the biggest change of my life.

The first day at my new Florida high school was exciting, and at the same time very nerve wracking. I had written up an imaginary list in my mind of "what ifs". What if they didn't like me? What if I don't find any friends? What if I have no one to sit with at lunch? Would I have to pull a Mean Girls and eat my lunch in the bathroom? Not only did I worry about finding new friends and fitting in, but I also had a new class schedule filled with honors courses to worry about. Luckily, a few curious girls introduced themselves to me and invited me to sit with them at lunch. Soon I was meeting tons of new people and everyone started calling me "Nebraska." I felt relieved that I had made new friends and had started to fit in well. I was doing well in all my classes and I was captain of the swim team. Everything had worked out great, but it wasn't all that easy. It was hard for me to leave me friends in Nebraska behind, friends that knew me the best and friends I could trust. Not only did I leave just school friends behind, but I was a dedicated swimmer and it was difficult to leave my teammates and coaches behind.

Although moving was tough, I'm glad I was blessed with the opportunity to move and meet new people. If nothing else, moving has allowed me to become more mature in various aspects of my life. Through my experiences, I have matured into a young woman who is confident in herself and is not afraid to meet and talk to others. I feel that the person I am now would be a positive addition to the UF campus. With the way I am now, I would be a positive influence towards my peers. I would push them to their best ability and lend a helping hand whenever needed. Aside from the academic qualities I would contribute to the UF campus, I believe my outgoing, but determined personality and deep values I posses would also be a great contribution to the UF campus.