Adapt

Oh, no! Don’t look! Keep walking! Why are there so many people? Is this how every new student feels? My brain is in pandemonium. I cannot even think. RING RING! I guess that’s the bell? I nervously walk into my homeroom, quickly find my seat, and stare at the table. 

“Hello, Everyone,” the lady says as she goes on to share some facts about herself. Immediately afterward, these deathly words emerged from her mouth: “Now it’s time for you to introduce yourselves.” Strangers begin to say their names, favorite activities, and interests. With every person who introduced himself, the time came closer for me to do the same. Calm down! It’s just a simple introduction, I say to myself. I clear my throat. “M..my name is Julian, an...and I like t…to run,” I say at the lowest volume ever. I do not mean to speak this quietly, it’s just...nerves.

Nerves were the dominant feeling of that cringe-worthy day. I came from a small predominantly black school and switched to a predominantly white school. I had never been around so many people with a different background. I had to adapt quickly.

My adaptability is my greatest skill; it started with my first day of middle school. The new students, new teachers, new friends, and the new format of the school itself were much for my eleven-year-old self. Ever since, I have become comfortable at Mount Paran Christian School; I have learned how to become more social each year I attend this school. My shyness never affects my ability to learn as I have always been a great learner; however, it did influence how quickly I needed to change. Today, I am still a quiet kid, but my nerves are all gone because I know how to adjust myself to be able to fit a need. This malleability will allow me to thrive in many more situations.