Reflective Essay

My Reflective Essay
Anthony N. Houston
Sept. 22, 2012
English 12 – 7TH Hour W hen I first arrived into the walls of Northwestern High School as a freshman, it was a new experience for me. Adapting to a new atmosphere was a big change in my life. From being use to Elementary, and Junior High Schools standards I had to critique my whole lifestyle. In doing this, I had to change the way I thought, my morals, values, timing, academics, and most of all my behavior.
I can actually sit back and remember my first day of school like it was yesterday. Like trying to find my classes, finding a place to sit in the lunch room, wondering if I’m going to make any friends and the list goes on and on. This thing called “High School” was a new and major beginning in my life. After being adapted to the customs of this new school: like homework, essays, reports, and exams. My only stress relief was from extracurricular activities. I always look towards it being like my little balm in Gilead.
By growing up in a house of athletes, I always was involved in some type of sport. Whether it be tennis, baseball, football, or even a game of amateur soccer, I was just so grateful to be away from school work. As I still wander the halls of Northwestern, I often reflect back on my life, and how far I’ve come to this point that I’m at today. I can say that my work ethic never caught up until my junior year. That’s when “life” really dawned on me.
Over the past four years throughout High School I’ve learned that you shouldn’t ask what the future holds because, you define it. You can control your destiny by the decisions you make, the manner in how you conduct yourself, and how you treat others. But, I can see the growth that I’ve achieved over the years. Not just my growth in school but as an individual. I no longer have the same goals as I once did; my standards and expectations are higher.
In such a huge school where almost everyone knows everyone and their cousin, I can say that I’ve made so many friends. Like my friends since the 9th Grade Ms. Allana Williams a.k.a “Lana Pooh”, Chantanae Fletcher, Kevin Chisholm, and Shannon Grant are just a few whom I’ve known almost the past four years. I can also that I’ve made quite a few enemies here and there to be honest. I truly can say that when you’re trying to do your best, some people just get jealous which is saddens me but, I have to keep on rolling. My friends and I have gone through a lot of things emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But, we didn’t let those things stop our determination to get through school.
I can say Northwestern High School has provided me with leadership principles that I couldn’t get anywhere else. From the social aspects of life, communication, mentoring, and guidance, these have put me in a position to where I can go into college with a ready and stable mind. I went from being just “Anthony” to “Mr. Anthony N. Houston” in Northwestern. I can’t receive this type of recognition without thanking God first. I also have grown spiritually stronger while maturing in high school.
Overall NWHS has equip and provided an ambiance which allowed me to transform from a boy into a young man. As for the academic aspect, this school has given me a better understanding of things that will be used in college but, most importantly in my future. Some things I might not come across in my following years nevertheless, I can say that I’ve enjoyed every minute in high school. As a student, I have some regrets but, I let those be me a remembrance, and my testimony.
These few and short years have taught me a lot about myself, and the world around me. I know that these “once in a lifetime” experiences will never be forgotten and it will serve as a path to success in my near and great future. As for my fellow class mates, I wish you all the very best in the future. I hate to say goodbye on graduation day, so it’ll just be a simple “See you later” to keep us encouraged. I hope that their experiences will make them better and most of all wealthy in their future.