Junior Year Research Paper

Within five days of each other, my Dad and Grandma passed away. I didn’t think anyone could die from a heartbreak until I experienced the sudden death of my Dad and his Mother five days after. I went from a young woman with academic excellence as my priority to a complete wreck not caring about school. But reality set in as I walked into the first day of my Junior year.

Junior year is considered the most significant year of high school; the classes are more challenging and students are drowning in significant tests that determine their future. My junior year was also difficult, but less because of the academic challenges and more because it was filled with personal tragedies and failure.

It was an ordinary school day in May of my Sophomore …show more content…
Since I couldn't control any aspect of my life, I felt like a failure. So when Junior year came and I had to start school again I wasn't prepared. And failure struck again when I received a semester grade of C+ in Physics. I know many think it’s just a grade, but to me it meant so much more. I’ve always been a hardworking student who received good grades. However, I worked hard, and it wasn't enough. Despite my efforts, I still wasn't able to be “successful” in that …show more content…
Pushing myself to be positive is one of the most difficult things I’ve done. I had to tell myself, “It’ll be okay. I just have to take one step at a time and everything will be okay.” I spoke this mantra before and during completing assignments, and even when turning them in when I felt like my work wasn’t good enough.

I learned to accept that I couldn’t control every aspect of my life. I went to see my teacher for extra help. I changed my study tactics and studied in advance. I spent less time thinking negative thoughts. These small changes lead to an improvement not only in my grade, but in my thinking.

Throughout my life, there were many times I would become sorrowful whenever something didn't go my way; I had a pessimistic attitude. However, I learned that there will always be situations in life that are upsetting. At first, those situations seem to stop life and take complete control of it. But the real reward is actualized when fighting through those situations. The memories of those tragedies won't go away, but now I firmly believe that they pushed me to adopt a new outlook on life; one that gives me courage and support even in the darkest of

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