On my timeline I said I started going to a new school in both 2010 and in 2017. In 2003, I entered middle school at age 11 and was in that school for the first time. My classmates and more often my teachers were very discouraging and I was ridiculed and mistreated for showing my personality. It left a bitter taste in my mouth and I started to close in and assimilate with my classmates to deter their harassment. In Fall 2017, I entered Lehman for the first time as a full time student. I had great professors and welcoming, warm classmates. During these times, I was extremely comfortable in my skin due to the people around me and leading to a pleasant experience. In Lehman, I was very open and joyful and was constantly encouraged to be myself without worrying about others’ reactions. It was difficult at first to open up and trust others, but slowly and surely I began to. These two experiences although entirely different helped me become my true self.
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In addition to helping you become your true self, these two events also point to the value of encouragement. When you were surrounded by people who were encouraging, you felt comfortable, when you were not, you felt isolated. IT might be worthwhile to explore why in 2003, you didn’t receive proper support while you did in 2017. Did you change? Or was it the school that was different? Or was it the fact that it was a different time period?