Jul 23, 2016

What's in It for You?

By Navya Sethi / filmsforaction.org
What's in It for You?
A teen just trying to figure stuff out...

What’s in it for you?

*Author's note: Hey Guys! I'm just a high school freshman/teen girltrying to figure stuff out,  or atleast I hope I do someday. This is just some high school striy tat I wrote decribing the various incidents. Ihope you ys like reading it as much as I enjoyed writn it! (The girl in the Blue Mask/Undiscoveredgirl01)

 

    So, what is Woodstock for me? If you happened to ask me in the beginning of Year 7 (my first year in WS), I would be crying and in an instant, talk about how much I dislike this school, myself and the people around me. It turns out that Woodstock has something special in store for people from all walks of life.  Woodstock became my go-to place and I fell in love with it. My dance performance at Talent Show just got over. Drama was done a week ago. Banquet is one of the best times I have ever had at Woodstock. I am speechless. A few minutes ago, I was in the bathroom, preparing for Talent Show and talking to myself. I was shivering, I told myself, “What are you worried for? You have performed before. Get rid of those What If’s- Do it, Go for it. You’ve got this.” And I went, not only because I wanted to show people what I’ve got, but also learn to be the best version of me, and be passionate. I did it. That feeling caused a sense of excitement, restlessness and just accomplishment. Suddenly, I just sit there and ponder upon a bunch of thoughts-What do I really want to do? Why am I here at Woodstock?

        Hmm..Let’s see, How Woodstock changed my Life is an intriguing question, which I honestly don’t know how to answer. I think sometimes we take things for granted that it’s hard to be grateful and just reflect at my time here. The endless opportunities available at school, the diverse culture of people, the daily challenges and choices that I have to make, the friendship problems that I have, sleepovers in dorms, all those nights spent crying when I felt like I was nothing worth it and ugh ugh- waking up in the morning for music practices- these are just some fun yet challenging things in Woodstock. This is just what I can think off the top of my head, Woodstock is more than just that, it’s about learning to understand yourself, who you want to be, exploring, getting to know people, make ever-lasting friendships, and try and be the best person you can be.

    Some days ago, I asked my to-be PE teacher, somebody who gives the best advice. I asked him, “I like Basketball. I want to play more, but I feel judged.” He simply said, “Welcome to High School! You get judged every second. Either let go of it or give up on your dreams.” And that just answered all my questions- It was just as simple as that. People will judge me everywhere I go, I just have to let go of it. Those endless conversations with my dorm parent, - That was the time when I was just so stuck in the past. I could not do anything, I was scared. My biggest fear is being alone, having nobody and I had to face it, I had no choice. I had to let go of people giggling, laughing and leaving me. I was ditched- and had nobody to be with.
That was the time I realized that it’s alright to be alone. The point is to live in the present. I knew I could not give up on my dreams. I didn’t want to live under the prison that people wanted me to live under- I no longer wanted to to be a people-pleaser. I am here at Woodstock to do things for myself. That is what it was all about.

I have been in Woodstock since the past one year and will be finishing my last year of Middles Years this spring. Looking back at all the memories that I have had, the arguments, the endless times of laughter, screaming, fun and frolic has really influenced me. I have had many problems both in dorms and school, it has been a challenging but a hopefully ‘worth it in the end’ experience. I have learnt to adjust with people, control my temper, try and get to understand people, be a good kind friend, be more decisive, not just assume things and most of all, earn to love myself (I’m still trying to like myself the way I am- I guess I’ll figure it out someday!) To be honest, I was a very innocent, short tempered, irresponsible, careless girl in the beginning. I feel like I really have come a long way getting to understand life better and become more caring, loving, responsible and an independent person.

Woodstock teaches you endless things, most of them probably might turn out to be the best life lessons you could ever learn. It just depends on where you wanna start. There are days when I feel nervous and slightly overwhelmed for even the tiniest things, I don’t know what to do- but that’s the point of learning, that’s what I am continuing to learn here. I was stressed out about finding a date for banquet, or for who to be roommates with- but you know what, it really doesn’t matter. It’s about having fun. I cannot go around chasing people to be with me. I just gave up on running after people. I was upset, nobody could help me except myself. I really just had to stop- and I did; I gave up and felt that “That was it, no more…”

    As I transition into being a freshman in Highschool, I can just look back at the wonderful memories and the significant impact they have had on me. At one point it was impossible for me, but I changed, learnt, fell down, got up and I am ready to start again. A fresh start. This journey will still continue- full of adventures. And I know each one of us out there is passionate, and has a unique special journey of your own. That adventure soon begins, infact it has already begun, and Woodstock will continue to enthrall you and spread its snicker of magic everywhere around. What you need to figure out in WS/or just high school life is: What’s in it for you?

*Author's note...continued..: Hey Guys! I hope you enjoyed this. Do you have any high school tales? How was Highs chool for you? Do you have anything to tell me about your teenage life? Do you have any advice fro me? I welcome your comments and suggestions. You can email me at: [email protected] or check out my blog: [email protected] 

Have fun! Perhaps life has something in store for all of us and we all shall figure it out one day. Love, The girl in the Blue Mask/Undiscoveredgirl01

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