College Essay

​He stared at me with anger. His eyes were almost as big as his glasses. He yelled at me all of a sudden as I gathered my soul from sleep. He was ready with his work outfit and obviously wasn't happy with what he just heard from his daughter. I stood in front of him, acting like it wasn't a big deal when he lectured me impatiently. "Why are you so lazy? You NEVER take things seriously! Why can't you be like your friends? If you can't take care of your responsibilities, then YOU'RE JUST STUPID!" His words struck me. Wow. "Fine, whatever," I said to myself quietly, made sure that he didn't hear me. I slammed my bedroom door and got ready for school, pretending that everything was okay, which didn't turn out like it was supposed to. Water started to build in the corner of my eyes and I burst into tears. I felt like a total failure and under-pressured.

​My red, round clock struck at 6:30, as I forced myself to go downstairs to eat breakfast. Although I knew my dad had casted away my appetite, I decided to pour a glass of cold milk with some oatmeal anyway. The house was really quiet since my dad had left for work, until unfortunately moments later, my mom showed up, wearing a loose shirt and baggy shorts. Oh gosh, I warned myself. She reached for her coffee and stared sharply at me. I looked away and tried to eat, as she began to lecture me. No, until she began to yell at me and repeated pretty much what my dad had said earlier that morning. It was frustrating to eat what was supposed to be "the most important meal of the day", while she stared down at me and continue to criticize. Few drops of tears fell as I wiped them out with my purple sleeve. It was nerve-racking.

​Later that day, I thought to myself and repeated everything that my parents said on my head. It was indeed heartbreaking and hurtful, and also unfair for them to judge me only from their point of views.

For a senior girl who is only 17, pleasing her parents while maintaining good grades in AP classes, volunteering, studying SAT, doing college applications, and socializing with schoolmates at the same time can be a bit overwhelming. But from that moment on, I realize that sometimes I just need to push myself a little further. At first, I ridiculously declared hatred toward my parents' attitudes. But fortunately now, I have cleared my mind and took their criticisms from different perspectives. They preached me not because they hated me, but because they wanted me to learn and be responsible. Once I figured it all out, I found myself inspired to move forward and grow. I learned that with more tasks to come, I have to train myself to be more responsible. That's why right now, instead of hatred, I dare to say "thanks, Mom and Dad."

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