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UC PROMPT # 2 - Story of a Couch Surfer


nightingowl 1 / -  
Nov 20, 2011   #1
These are the last few words I told my mother; "I'm doing what you told me to do". That was how I said goodbye to her. This was the second week of school in my junior year. She had come home late again; drunk again and was on some type of drug. Walking in the door she looked fine and I was about to go to bed. "I'll do the dishes in the morning before I go to school; I just got caught up doing my homework" I said. She responded with an "0kay" and I headed off to bed. Suddenly, she began yelling at me on my side of the studio. She started with the dishes and then went on to something else. In a calm voice, I asked, "Please don't yell at me". Angrily, she told me that she could yell at me whenever she pleased. I said firmly, "No, you don't have the right to treat me like this."

At that moment, I became homeless at 17. I began packing my clothes. While packing, my mother continued to rant and rave, beating me with her words. I tried my hardest to tune her out. I slept that night in my bed but when I woke up, I ran out the door with my duffle bag and back pack. Behind me, I heard her walk out and yell my name. She screamed "What the hell do you think you are doing!"

That is when I said "I'm doing what you told me to do." I could see a jolt of anger go through her body. She glared into my eyes; I could feel her anger building up. That was the last day I hoped to see the dangerous stranger I had often seen growing up.I went on my way and walked to the end of the driveway and waited to be picked up for school. The whole day at school, I didn't know what to do; I held back my tears in class. I barely talked to anyone.

Later that night I didn't have anywhere to go, but I had keys to a Family Resource Center where I volunteer and I decided to sleep there. My plan was to wait until the end of the school week, hop on a bus and travel two hours south to a group home. That night, the phone started ringing and I was scared someone had seen me enter the Center. I was afraid I was going to be in trouble. But I answered the phone. It turned out to be two friends of mine whom I had told about what had happened. One of my friends said her parents were coming to get me.

It's been over a year now, and I have been a "couch surfer." I never realized how much people care about me. When I was living with my mother, I was never happy, I was always afraid. I would wake up; look in a mirror and put on a "mask." I would sometimes think of just ending it all because I felt like I was my family's burden.

During the past year, I have realized that the only thing I needed was to be away from my family. I have never imagined my life to be like this. The night my mom kicked me out and I began to pack; I took a risk and was clueless as to what to do. All I had left was my faith in myself. I have learned to trust myself and to take hold of my life. I have seen my options and I didn't see what I wanted and needed, so I created my own path. The one I created has made me resilient. I stand here as a stronger person and feel like no force can knock me down. But I know that if I do fall, I will always be able to pick myself up.
jnbadj 1 / 3  
Nov 20, 2011   #2
You did a great job describing the "experience that is important to you." However, I think you should focus a bit more on how it relates to you, its impact on you, influence on your academic career, etc.

In my opinion, this essay would have been great for the first UC prompt...unless you already have something planned for that?

I'm also applying!

Good luck to us all! :)


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