Literary Magazine

Then and Now

As a freshman, my transition to a new school that was solely based on academics was a
daunting experience. The mere thought of not knowing anyone in a completely new environment
sent shivers down my spine. However, to my surprise, I bumped into some familiar faces from
my middle school who had also enrolled in the same school as I did. Despite this, the journey to
settling in and adjusting to a new life was not an easy one.
High school life brought a whole new level of responsibility, which was quite
overwhelming at first. I had to learn how to navigate through life and be who I wanted to be in a
new environment. I was still unsure of what I wanted to do with my life and was trying to figure
things out. I had to learn everything from scratch and had to find answers to my questions all by
myself. Nevertheless, I had the unwavering support of my parents and teachers who guided me
through this phase, but it was still challenging.
There were many disagreements with peers and teachers on various issues, but we all
learned to find common ground and work towards the best possible outcome. As a freshman, I
was excited to join different clubs and explore different interests. I was determined to be the best
version of myself and make the most out of my high school experience.
To my surprise, my first two years in high school were not as challenging as I had
anticipated. I met new friends who became an integral part of my journey, and we shared many

good times. From homecomings to basketball games, we had a blast. At first, we were uncertain
about how things would play out, especially with the absence of a football team.

My teachers were supportive and encouraging, and they provided me with a wide range
of opportunities to explore my interests and passions. From community service to event
planning, I learned new skills and worked on exciting projects with my friends.
However, my sophomore year had a lot of drama and unnecessary distractions. My
workload increased, and I had to deal with personal issues, including a boyfriend. At some point,
I thought of quitting school altogether. But with the support of my teachers and friends, I
persevered. I learned to manage my time better and prioritize my tasks. I also discovered that my
teachers were always available to help me with anything I needed, including writing letters of
recommendation and providing opportunities for personal development. I struggled during my
sophomore year as I lacked motivation and did not know how to manage my workload. I used to
complain all the time, but eventually, I realized that I needed to find new ways of doing things.
Although I was immature in those years, I made sure to complete all my tasks on time.
As a junior heading into my senior year, I am feeling uncertain about where my education
will lead me. It is quite challenging to keep up with the process of applying to colleges and
universities, as well as searching for scholarships that can provide financial assistance. I am
aware that I struggle with managing my workload, and I understand that the profession I want to
pursue will require me to improve my work ethic. I am currently going through this challenge,
and I believe that I will be better prepared for it in the future. I realize that if I do not change my
mindset towards my work, I will continue to face difficulties. There are many tasks that I find

unpleasant, but I am committed to working through them and finding new ways to approach
them.
I have always lacked confidence in myself and never knew how to do many things.
However, as a junior, I am trying to put myself out there more by taking on opportunities to
showcase my abilities. I understand that it won't always be easy, and sometimes the decisions
won't be the best, but I am determined to succeed. By pushing myself and maintaining the same
level of seriousness I had as a freshman, I know I will do just fine. My high school career has
been an interesting journey, and it has not always been easy, but I have persevered and will
continue to do so. I will continue to fight and do as many things as I possibly can. I will continue
to join in on my senior year activities and clubs along with helping out whenever I possibly can.