UC Prompt #2 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?
After having read my English textbook for only five minutes, I already find a word I don't know and proceed to search for its definition online. Suddenly the page switches to Facebook, and thanks to this unusual and unprecedented happenstance, I decide to check for "five minutes." A half hour later, I find myself browsing my Friends list, full of more than just friends. The names of casual strangers, classmates for only a semester, and pleasant strangers greet my eyes. My mind wanders to the distant conversations and daily happenings with these "Friends," eventually latching upon the conflicts and regrets.
I mentally replay the misunderstandings and embarrassing situations, and begin to critique my very nature. To all the people I've ever hurt, annoyed, or ignored, I wish I could have apologized for my personality. I wish I could apologize for being who I am. I wish I didn't make mistakes. I wish I could be someone useful to the people around me. I wish I could be so independent that I'd never have to bother anyone. I wish I could be something great and strong and a good role model for the little kids out there, that I didn't do things that I regret and didn't voice the opinions of my often confused mind so much. I wish that I deserved everything that I have and deserved to know everyone that I've known.
Then my eyes find the name of one of my dearest friends. Someone who has been with me through thick and thin, and I realize I can't. I can't apologize for doing what I think is right, and I can't apologize for being who I am. Why? Because there's just no one else I can be. A lot about a person can change, but a lot of stuff ends up staying the same. And, I want to make sure the important things stay the same. I make mistakes today so that I'll get things right tomorrow. I want to keep talking in case I say something someone needs to hear. I'll keep getting carried away because that's how I'll get to where I want to go. I want to risk looking stupid so that someday, I'll be smart. I want to make enemies by being myself because that's also how I'll make friends. I want to do something and be someone who deserves all that I've been blessed with. Every error and mistake that I commit now will help me succeed and grow in the future.
After finding the definition and writing it down, I turn off the computer and return to my textbook. From a quick glance, my night might have been seen as another teenager procrastinating online. But to me, it was one of the most productive nights of my life.
After having read my English textbook for only five minutes, I already find a word I don't know and proceed to search for its definition online. Suddenly the page switches to Facebook, and thanks to this unusual and unprecedented happenstance, I decide to check for "five minutes." A half hour later, I find myself browsing my Friends list, full of more than just friends. The names of casual strangers, classmates for only a semester, and pleasant strangers greet my eyes. My mind wanders to the distant conversations and daily happenings with these "Friends," eventually latching upon the conflicts and regrets.
I mentally replay the misunderstandings and embarrassing situations, and begin to critique my very nature. To all the people I've ever hurt, annoyed, or ignored, I wish I could have apologized for my personality. I wish I could apologize for being who I am. I wish I didn't make mistakes. I wish I could be someone useful to the people around me. I wish I could be so independent that I'd never have to bother anyone. I wish I could be something great and strong and a good role model for the little kids out there, that I didn't do things that I regret and didn't voice the opinions of my often confused mind so much. I wish that I deserved everything that I have and deserved to know everyone that I've known.
Then my eyes find the name of one of my dearest friends. Someone who has been with me through thick and thin, and I realize I can't. I can't apologize for doing what I think is right, and I can't apologize for being who I am. Why? Because there's just no one else I can be. A lot about a person can change, but a lot of stuff ends up staying the same. And, I want to make sure the important things stay the same. I make mistakes today so that I'll get things right tomorrow. I want to keep talking in case I say something someone needs to hear. I'll keep getting carried away because that's how I'll get to where I want to go. I want to risk looking stupid so that someday, I'll be smart. I want to make enemies by being myself because that's also how I'll make friends. I want to do something and be someone who deserves all that I've been blessed with. Every error and mistake that I commit now will help me succeed and grow in the future.
After finding the definition and writing it down, I turn off the computer and return to my textbook. From a quick glance, my night might have been seen as another teenager procrastinating online. But to me, it was one of the most productive nights of my life.
