Undergraduate / How Blogging Changed My Life- UC Admissions Personal Statement [5]

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?

The desk chair squeaked loudly as I plopped myself down in front of my computer screen. I cautiously took a sip of my scalding hot tea, before setting the mug down gingerly. Tired hands rubbed the sleep from my eyes while I waited for the machine to boot up. I was definitely a sight for sore eyes this early in the morning, adorned in an oversized Star Trek t-shirt, my hair messily tied away from my face. The second my desktop was revealed, I logged on to my blog and began typing away. Here, I was free of judgment, free of the anxiety that troubles my mind during many daily activities. Here, I could simply be myself.

When I first started my blog, I laughed at myself. Who in their right mind would choose to read about the life of a simple high school student? At first, I was shy and hesitant to publish the posts I had written. But I evolved from that insecure girl, to someone eager to wake up and share my life with others. Blogging was what forced me to really put myself out there, and improve my self-esteem not only in the online community, but also, and more importantly, in the real world.

I often find myself looking for the beauty in the smallest aspects of my life. Originally, this was to inspire my followers to become sensitive to their daily blessings, and not to ruminate on their troubles. In retrospect, I shared these positive messages in order to convince myself that the world was not only full of the pain and sadness that the media seems to center on. Instead, it is full of opportunity, happiness, and people whom I would not have had the opportunity to connect with if it had not been for the simple decision to share my heart.

Through my journey as a blogger, I have learned more about myself than I could have imagined. I was able to develop my own opinions about society's most controversial subjects, without being too influenced by my parent's points of view, as is common with most people my age. I have become open to perspectives that differ from my own, allowing me to work alongside my peers with ease. I have become excited and passionate about my future and credit my blog to the achievement of many goals. Blogging has changed my life for the better, and has helped me become the confident and diligent young woman that I am today.

Undergraduate / First, and only, child of my devoted parents; World you come from- UC/ PS [2]

Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

This is my first draft, and I need some suggestions. Thanks!

When I was born seventeen years ago, I became the first, and only, child of my devoted parents, who had already been married a decade before making the decision to bring a new life into the world. I quickly became the primary focus of my immediate and extended family, and was brought up in a stress-free environment, where I believed my life was close to perfect. Because my father is a member of the United States Marine Corps, I grew up learning the importance of family and the value of determination even in the most trying situations. These values would eventually be put to the test when I entered my junior year of high school. This was the year my close to perfect life was scarred by harsh reality.

On October 22, 2012, my mother was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer; a mere month after my father had been transferred out of state to complete the last chapter in his career. I was immediately confronted with emotions and issues that many adults have never faced. The news was difficult to comprehend, and I struggled to maintain the work ethic that had been standard in my family since I had begun my education. In order to become my mother's main support system, while simultaneously preserving my high marks, I sacrificed the social life that many teenagers take for granted. I received a massive understanding from my closest friends, who helped me through the situation in any way that they could.

Other than these select friends, and a few empathetic teachers, I had decided not to share my dilemma with my school. Instead, I immersed myself into my studies, using my free time to assist my mother with her daily activities. I was satisfied with my choice to keep my personal matters to myself, as I did not want to be treated any differently by my peers. After months of accompanying my mother to treatments, and taking over her daily household tasks, my determination finally paid off. I had earned the highest GPA that I had every managed, a 4.67. I was able to achieve my own goal, as well as make my family proud.

This experience has given me the ability to recognize and cope with the hardships that come alongside even the best in life. It has given me a sense of responsibility towards my loved ones that I would otherwise not have discovered. It has also shaped my dreams and aspirations that I have for the future, by showing me what elements of life are truly important. Because of my experience with the fear of the unknown, I would like to make similar worries easier for others to manage. I would like to ease the anxiety and depression that thousands are faced with each day when diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, be that by being as knowledgeable as possible about a patient's situation, or by simply offering a smile and being a friend to those struggling with their recently learned condition.