Without struggle there’s no progress” was the quote I looked up to throughout my high school experience. As I woke up every morning, I hated the fact that I had to go to school and felt stressed about it. The only positive aspects I thought about were “you have to graduate and prove society wrong.” From the first day I stepped into the halls of high school in the U.S., I felt overwhelmed, confused, and shy. I came to the United States as an immigrant three years ago, during my sophomore year, and it was really hard for me to make friends and fit into a totally different society and education system. 

 The whole idea of being in high school was exciting, but the work and pressure made it very hard. I had many emotional, stressful, and unforgettable memories while being a student. Every day in the car on the way to school, my dad was telling me to stay focused, work hard, and get my grades up. At home, my mom always forced me to do my homework and not fail any classes. That’s what made me try my best, to not give up, and to be responsible. Also, playing soccer for my high school team made school not feel boring. 

In my first year here, everything felt strange and difficult, but now I can look back and see how much I’ve grown. 

 One thing I will always remember from high school is how hard it was to adjust as an immigrant. I didn’t understand people well, I didn’t talk much, and I was afraid of being judged. But over time, I learned to be strong and brave. High school taught me that even when you feel like giving up, you have to keep going. The people around me helped me stay positive and reminded me that I can succeed if I keep trying. Everything that I’ve been told positively, I will take into consideration and apply it to my life. 

 The best part of high school for me was learning how to be more confident. I started opening up, speaking more, and making new friends. I also discovered my interest in journalism. Being in journalism class helped me express myself better, understand the world, and work with others. I enjoyed writing stories and learning how news is made. This class showed me the power of communication and how important it is to share your voice. 

 What I like most about my journey is that I never gave up, even when things were hard. I came from a different country, learned a new language, adapted to a new life, and still made it to the end. I can honestly say high school was not easy, but it made me stronger. In conclusion, I can honestly say that high school was