An experience that has shaped my character
I will never forget a call I received on April Fool's Day two years ago.
It was 3:56 a.m. when I heard a trembling voice on the other line: "He's gone...." Initially, I thought it was just a hoax from my friend. But, eventually, the truth is, when I became 17, he stayed at 16 forever.
"Depression" - that was how they explained his passing. My friend - once a jolly, upbeat youngster has been withered under the weight of academic pressure. There is a proverb in Vietnam that reads: "Pressure makes diamond". When I told my parents about my friend's tale, all I got in return was indifference and rejection. My dad said: " If you can't handle this trivial pressure, soon or later you will crumble under the burden of adult life. " That was when I understood, in this merciless society, there is no room for the fragile. And I had to do something.
Previously, the only thing I cared about was grades. After that loss, I began to appreciate my friends more. A sense of understanding and empathy were gradually cultivated inside me. Hearing others' stories, I felt relieved as I realized, I was not the only one suffering from grief. They were distraught, too. Day by day, pursuing understanding helped allay my pain, but I also wanted to make a positive difference. I'm determined to delve into the fields of Education and Psychology. I want to comprehend people's emotions and hear their confidences. I want to be someone's rock whenever they feel a misery, with all my heart and knowledge.
Two years have passed since that fateful day and it is bitter that I have to recite this woeful experience in a 250-word application. It wasn't until I sat down to write this essay that it brought home to me how resilient I've become. I found my purpose - caring for others instead of focusing on myself. And now, growing up from pain, whatever life throws at me, I will always be ready.
