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2.2- Niche-picking
When I was 10 years old, I had my very first international experience as an athlete competing in the Pan Am Deaf Youth Games. I found the experience to be "compataible & stimulating," because I enjoyed making the most of my skills. The fact that I come from a family of athletes (in the genes, maybe?) has greatly influenced my life. Other than doing well in the competition, I especially enjoyed meeting new people from all over the world. To this day, I still enjoy playing sports and traveling. -
1.1 Entering Adolescence
I chose this date, because I was 11 and that was when I entered middle school. It seems appropriate, as my challenging transition from elementary to middle school involved taking on greater responsibility & interacting with older students. I started to notice biological changes followed by puberty. I'd say my transition to adolescence matches the textbook. There was a change in my sleeping patterns. I also remember building more "advanced thinking," for I started to ask more profound questions. -
4.2- Non-gender typed behavior
There was this time when the "most popular jock" at school and I ended up in a group meeting with the principal. There were a total of 3 boys and 2 girls. I don't exactly remember what the meeting was about, but I remember how emotionally attached the jock was. He was understanding and empathetic. I thought it was interesting, because the way he talked in the room with us was different than how he normally behaved outside around everyone else. -
7.3 - Intrinsic Motivation
For my 7th grade English class, I remember re-reading my assigned novels all the time, because I wanted to challenge myself. Things like successfully recognizing and interpreting a metaphor was rewarding. The achievement might not be equivalent to finishing a marathon, but it felt awesome. Exploring, learning, and maximizing my potential felt good - not for others, but for myself. Intristic motivation is driven by internal motivation and my self-confidence skyrocketed as I invested in academics. -
4.1- Gender-typed behavior
Thinking about 7th grade, my female friends certainly engaged in relational aggression. We made each other feel left out, or rejected through our words. The rumors and verbal bullying were all unnecessary and hurtful. If I sat in a room with a group of girls, most if not all of us would have very similar personal experiences regarding the infamous "mean girls" phase. -
3.1- Personal Fable
When I was about to finish middle school, I remember having a hard time sharing my feelings about my parents' upcoming divorce. Even if I had several close friends with divorced parents, I thought no one would understand me. My parents encouraged me to see my school counselor, but I always insisted I didn't need extra support. Contributed by formal operational thinking, believing that my feelings and thoughts were entirely "unique" reflected cognitive egocentrism. -
2.1- Typical maturer.
I hit puberty when I was in 7th grade. Getting my period, I think, was when I started noticing significant physical changes. My breasts started to blossom. Many of my female friends "developed" slightly earlier than I did, but I think it was because I was the youngest in my class. I remember feeling pressure, as adolescent girls typically value body image (p. 60). At times, it felt like some kind of competition. I believe it would have been different if I matured earlier, or even later. -
7.1 - Transition to High School
My transition to high school fits most of what the text says. Becoming a freshman was an overwhelming, but a exciting experience. I had more responsibility and independence, I had new sets of friends. Academic expectations were higher. As the text says, the transition came with more challenges in the classroom. My road to self-discovery also went to the next level. -
8.1 - Rite of Passage
If I had to pick, graduating from high school would be my rite of passage. The day I walked off stage, it felt like a whole new world was creeping in. The summer before I entered college, my parents let go of that "leash." My parents always gave me space, but I remember having a lot more of it as soon as I graduated. I did plenty of things on my own that summer - which I believe helped prepare me for the next step. Even more independence came along when I started my freshman year in college. -
6.1- Parent Adolescent Conflict
One night, I wanted to go out to a local amusement park with my dad's car. I asked him for permission and he said "No, not tonight." After arguing with him for a good bit, he let me go. Naturally, going out with my friends and not missing out on anything used to be incredibly important to me. Sure enough, I got in a car accident. As part of pubertal growth, I refused to listen and wanted evertything my way. Afterwards, I quickly realized how I should have been more considerate of my dad's wish. -
7.2 - Transition to College
Like the text says, the transition from middle school to high school and the transition from high school to college share similarities. The feeling of newness is the same, yet different. In high school, I made new friends. But, in college - I made new connections with people of all ages, from all over the world. I was surrounded by new perspectives. My independence multiplied. I was no longer under my parents' wing. I started working, paying my own bills, making my own decisions, etc. -
1.2 Emerging Adulthood
Although I already do things like making independent decisions, establishing my own beliefs and values, and traveling the world, I think I won't officially call myself an adult until I am financially independent... which includes having my own place, a full time job, et cetera (p. 20). Who knows what I'll do and where I'll go, so this date is just an estimate. For the time being, I'm almost 21. I'm still in college and I depend on my parents here & there.