Writing Challenge Day 4: We Can Be Taught

Tell us a moment or an incident that you treasure — not necessarily because it brought you happiness, but because it taught you something about yourself. 

Well, I treasure my decision to transfer from The Lyceum to Trinity High School right before I started my junior year. I kept saying "I'll give it another year. It'll get better here." But sadly it never did. I had to realize that I was seriously unhappy and that my mental stability needs to come first, but that was hard for me since all of my friends (who were and still are wonderful) were there and I didn't want to leave. But I was FAR from being the straight A student I had been before and knew I could be again. I had to make a change and I did.

Now, Trinity was NOT perfect. It was extremely flawed. I was not all that happy there either, but I made good friends, I worked hard (maybe too hard - a lot of nights were spent in tears because I was under so much stress), and I made the best of what I had. Since I had chosen THS because it was both co-ed and Catholic (two absolute musts for me, although THS was a sad excuse for a Catholic school) I could not very well leave. Long story short, I just graduated third in my class of eighty-six. That's right. Third. I am immensely proud of my GPA. At one point in the middle of my junior year I was ranked first. I worked my butt off for that recognition, because I was determined to shake the opinion I had of myself because of The Lyceum. I didn't think I could accomplish anything. 

ANYWAY I learned that I was smart, despite what had happened in 7th grade-sophomore year, and I learned that I needed to have more faith in my decisions. Even though Trinity was not a great place filled with not great kids, I did what was best for me. I learned that I could win the battle with self-injury I'd been fighting for years. I learned I could deal with loss of an extremely close relative, a long distance relationship, poor health, and any other struggles thrown at me and still come out on top. A little tired, and little bitter at times, but on top.  

I hope that didn't sound like bragging -  because I'm honestly not trying to. I'm just excited that I finally get to write that I'm proud of myself for something. BAM.

Yours Truly,
Hannah