Personal Statement

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to

overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Something difficult I have faced was the utter feeling of being lonely and independent. In my

family, there is a total of ten, and I am the youngest. Coming from a family of parents who did

not get an education and some siblings that gave up on it, it was hard getting by. When I needed

help on school work or projects I felt like I couldn’t go to anyone for help because my parents

didn’t understand the work and my siblings didn’t help me, I was always left to figure it all out

on my own. I had to get used to doing things by myself, and I guess that helped me gain

independence, but I felt alone. That is because I wasn’t like my siblings I pursued getting good

grades and doing good in school and they went for the “fun” life, and that labeled me as different

in the family. Their teen stories that they often told were on a path, and it was way different from

what my path was starting to show. We just weren't the same. For a period of time I would even

get made fun of by my siblings and had them tell me things like “nerd,” “loser,” you’re boring,”

“you have no life.” I then kept myself from talking a lot with them like my personal life and

especially school life. Honestly, that was all detrimental for me, but what was more was the fact

that my parents made it seem like they weren’t proud of me or I wasn’t good enough aside from

all the school stuff. They never were really much involved. This all really led me to get distant.

And they noticed I was isolating. At school, I would enjoy my day, but then coming from school,

I would shut myself out because I didn’t want to feel bad. Although, now I open up to my
parents and I tell them about my feelings. And also I socialize and interact more with my entire

family.