A Student's Academic Realization

When I was in 9th grade, For once in my high school life, I committed myself to studying. And you know what? It paid off. I managed to get the "With Highest Honor" title for the 3rd quarter, and  even got a 100 grade in my card, for the first time, not just in one subject, but in both ICT and Arts. Although, instead of celebrating in my success, I found myself getting pressured and sinking under the weight of expectations.

It was hard choosing between academic achievement and personal wants/needs. I realized that I wasn't just doing it for myself, instead I was doing it for my parents' expectations and seeking their academic validation to me. So, when 10th grade came around, I made a conscious decision to stop putting much efforts in academics and just continue towards exploring life.

In 10th grade, instead of focusing on the main curriculum, I threw myself into extracurricular activities, I joined Sports Writing, and I wrote my way to victory, getting the gold medal in our school competition. But that wasn't all. I also discovered a hidden talent for Badminton and Basketball and succeed to victory, winning yet another gold medal for my duo, my team, and for our section. And to top it all off, I was given the title of Best School Editor by none other than the head principal himself. I also dominated and won the e-sports competition in our school too! I reached the Challenger rank in League of Legends, which is being in the top 100 players in The Philippine region.

Even though I focused on extra curricular activities, I still managed to get a GWA of 94 this school year, and completed Junior High School without a single missing activities nor a bad record to my name, together with my soulmate, Aikazhen Medina.

Today, in 11th grade, despite putting less effort in academic stuffs, I still managed to get another "With High Honor" title by the 2nd quarter of First Semester, It got me thinking: "What if I push myself academically again? Would I reach even greater heights?" But then, a little voice inside reminded me of the stress and anxiety I faced back in 9th grade. It was like a wake-up call, urging me to be more careful and find a balance between academic success and personal well-being.

So, instead of going back to the days where I fully committed my life to studying, I've decided to take a different lifestyle. I have decided to the journey, just enjoy every moment and memories I make, and making the most of my high school life. After all, you only get to be a student once, right? So why not enjoy every experience, build new friendships, and explore the world around you?

I realized that in the end, it's not just about the grades or the academic achievements; it's about the memories you make and the lessons you learn along the way. So, as I make my way on the next chapter of my academic journey, I am very excited on what lies ahead. Who knows what the future holds, right? But I'm sure that I'll be ready and will always be ready  for whatever comes my way. So here's to embracing the journey and making the most of every moment. After all, that's what high school is all about, isn't it?

photo reference: https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/man-sinking-underwater