personal statement: rishi
It was like a whole new universe for me. My entire academic life, I hid my identity deep inside the Japanese community. I was a underestimated kid who would always be teased because of my so called “gai-jin” nose and my unusual name. I wasn’t bullied don’t get me wrong, I was a very cheerful kid, I got along with a lot of people and I was very comfortable with where I was. But it was during my sixth grade year, when my parents decided to make a change and move me to a different school. The whole idea of leaving my friends was scary; I wanted to be with my friends for more time, so I begged my parents if I can stay where I was. I was allowed to stay for another year, but my wishful dream was brought to an end, and I was transferred to HIS. The first day of school terrified me. Will I be able to make new friends? Keep up with studying? Will I even enjoy this school? All these questions punched my mind as I made my first step into the campus.
I was overwhelmed with fear. I was shaking. I was sweating. Lost in the unfamiliar realm, I wandered around the building until I found room 305, my new territory. Being the new kid, first impressions are really important. As I walked towards the classroom I thought: Maybe I should act confident. Maybe I should act shy. Maybe I should make an crazy entrance to the classroom. My indecisiveness kept me thinking for a lot longer than I should have, and by the time I gained confidence in myself, I was already standing inside room 305. I saw myself standing awkwardly in front of the class, in front of my so-called classmates who were still all strangers to me. Some people observed me, some people giggled, some people didn’t even bother looking at me. Anxiety laughed at me as I tip-toed towards an open seat. I remained quiet as time passed. When I noticed, the day was over and I was home in my bed looking at the ceiling. I was tired of all the thinking. I wanted to go back to my old school. Hoping the day was a dream, I fell asleep. I woke with an uneasy feeling. A new day, no new friends. I was alone at school once again, and I started to panick. Lunch time came, and I was becoming frustrated at myself for not trying to fit in with the community. I went up to the gym and started to shoot hoops. That was the only fun I could have during the time. As I swished a free throw, bunch of guys from my grade ran towards me. “You play basketball?” “Are you going to join the team?” They all kept asking me questions that I gladly answered to. We had an intense basketball session and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded with friends. Everything only went uphill since then. I gained my confidence, and was able to make more and more friends. I performed decently well in my academics. I played sports and became fit. I loved where I was.
This little life event of transferring to a different school resulted in a big change for me as an individual.Come to think of it, how did I make friends in my old school? I was probably the same ol’ indecisive, over thinking little Rishi. But it all turned out to be successful. I still keep in touch with my Japanese school friends; we even hang out when the time is right. That’s when I first came to an understanding, there’s no point in overthinking. Why not have some confidence in yourself? You know yourself the most, use that as an advantage. “If you believe, you can achieve” - that’s my motto.
649 W
I was overwhelmed with fear. I was shaking. I was sweating. Lost in the unfamiliar realm, I wandered around the building until I found room 305, my new territory. Being the new kid, first impressions are really important. As I walked towards the classroom I thought: Maybe I should act confident. Maybe I should act shy. Maybe I should make an crazy entrance to the classroom. My indecisiveness kept me thinking for a lot longer than I should have, and by the time I gained confidence in myself, I was already standing inside room 305. I saw myself standing awkwardly in front of the class, in front of my so-called classmates who were still all strangers to me. Some people observed me, some people giggled, some people didn’t even bother looking at me. Anxiety laughed at me as I tip-toed towards an open seat. I remained quiet as time passed. When I noticed, the day was over and I was home in my bed looking at the ceiling. I was tired of all the thinking. I wanted to go back to my old school. Hoping the day was a dream, I fell asleep. I woke with an uneasy feeling. A new day, no new friends. I was alone at school once again, and I started to panick. Lunch time came, and I was becoming frustrated at myself for not trying to fit in with the community. I went up to the gym and started to shoot hoops. That was the only fun I could have during the time. As I swished a free throw, bunch of guys from my grade ran towards me. “You play basketball?” “Are you going to join the team?” They all kept asking me questions that I gladly answered to. We had an intense basketball session and the next thing I knew, I was surrounded with friends. Everything only went uphill since then. I gained my confidence, and was able to make more and more friends. I performed decently well in my academics. I played sports and became fit. I loved where I was.
This little life event of transferring to a different school resulted in a big change for me as an individual.Come to think of it, how did I make friends in my old school? I was probably the same ol’ indecisive, over thinking little Rishi. But it all turned out to be successful. I still keep in touch with my Japanese school friends; we even hang out when the time is right. That’s when I first came to an understanding, there’s no point in overthinking. Why not have some confidence in yourself? You know yourself the most, use that as an advantage. “If you believe, you can achieve” - that’s my motto.
649 W