All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Who Am I? MAG
Who am I? Am I the teen who peruses dictionaries or the marketer who thrives on competition? Am I the athlete or the idealist? Do I enjoy the frothy sitcom or the heavy novel? Do I rise to the challenge or from my ashes? Am I the introvert who fails others' expectations or the extrovert who breaks others' barriers? Well, at one time or another I have been all of these and, because of that, I emerged stronger.
Not only have I emerged stronger but also wiser. My life has been a constant molding and sculpting of my identity, a mirrored sculpture in the works. One day I can be the successful student who readies himself for the world and another I can be the struggling workman who finds that no amount of preparation can solve his problems. During those times, I am a different person. But my failures do not imply defeat and my triumphs do not imply the end.
This year I realized I was not good enough to make the soccer team. After playing my passion for over 11 years, I had to give it up. I slouched as I departed from my final practice and pictured my name being slashed from the roster. I felt as though I had not only let myself down, but also my family who had cheered me on for over a decade, and my teammates who always lifted me during my lowest of lows. But my failure did not imply utter defeat. Instead of mourning, I found a silver lining. Other endeavors – including work and studies – washed over my regret and cleansed my mind of failure. I now look forward to working and studying more for personal success. But as always, this is not the end.
I have grown wiser from my failure at soccer but where do I take this newfound wisdom? Do I take my hardscrabble pay and invest in the future or do I take my hard-earned grades and invest in my studies? Do I take a risk and go for gold or do I play it safe and go home with a story untold?
There are always at least two roads to take in life, and my decisions leave me with another chisel mark in my sculpture. An athlete, a marketer, an idealist, a quagmire, an introvert, an extrovert, the funny guy, the serious persuader, the other guy. At one time or another I have been all of these and, because of that, I am me. So does my unfinished masterpiece fit into your hall of academia?