College Admissions Essay: How I Love Changed My Life

With all the attention on grades and extracurricular activities, many start to dislike the educational process, which leads to an absolute distaste with being involved in anything outside of school. Not to mention, the challenges that the growing adolescent boy faces, both socially and internally as he grows, is easier said than done. As a student who places great emphasis on growth in all aspects of life, I know I could have, and still can, crumble. However, my first love saves me. She always makes me feel calm when the ship I know as school hits rough waters or seems like it is going down. She takes me to a different place when unpleasant thoughts consume my mind. She lets me crash into sweaty bodies, perform for squealing crowds, and lets my intense focus I have crafted for academia be channeled into making
As I grow, the problems and challenges of life grow with me; playing basketball is no longer about just beating my brother. I turn to my love when I feel unsure; basketball is where I find that calm, comfortable place to think and garner strength to face new challenges. Am I capable to succeed at a high level in academia? Swish. What do I want to do with my life? Swish. Who am I? Swish. That sound was all I needed to hear to give me the solace I needed. In watching professional players, I learn the science and poetry of the game. Basketball has taught me lessons beyond those my parents taught me. When faced with adversity, she taught me how to overcome. She set me up in the form of close games where I could coordinate with my teammates and navigate gracefully through my problems. She taught me how to balance my life outside of my time with her; where I could continue my academics but still be able to make time with her. Whenever I was upset about school or got in an argument with my parents, we always had an unspoken way of talking to each other. She provides me with an outlet and a means to clearer thinking. For this, I owe