-
2.1 Early Maturer
I don't exactly remember the time when I hit puberty, but it was around 11 to 12 years old. I started growing breasts in fifth grade, but my public hair grew in fourth grade. I match the description of precocious puberty where I hit puberty earlier than usual. I definitely felt uncomfortable putting on certain shirts when I hit puberty. I believe that if I matured at the same time as my peers, I would have been more comfortable talking about it. But, yes, I hit puberty earlier than most. -
1.1 Entering Adolescence
The day I first got my period at the age of 12. I felt the adolescence phase started right then and there because of the stain on my underwear at the first sight. I reacted in a way I believe now is fitting to emerging adolescence: I screamed and called for mom. -
7.1- Transition to Middle School
At the time, my puberty was still developing. I was excited to leave elementary and be a little more independent. By the time I entered Middle School, I started to have identity issues. I was not sure who I was and what I will do with my life. It was pretty difficult to navigate through life without knowing my identity. -
“7.3- Intrinsic Motivation
In sixth grade, I had a wonderful English teacher and I loved the English subject. We had a test that keeps track of improvements, and the teacher supported me the most, and praised me the most when I had one of the highest levels of scoring. Because of that teacher, I felt motivated to read and write more, leading me to fall in love with poetry. -
3.1- Personal Fable
I was about 13 years old when I broke up with my boyfriend. I was so hurt and I thought the world would end. My mom tried to tell me that that boy is nothing and I will forget him. I believed so much that my mom was wrong, which now that I look back, sounds very funny! Looking back, there was a part of me that wanted to believe we would last, and I also realized I did not really pay attention to all the red flags. I did not understand or recognize the absurdity I was going though when I was 13! -
6.1 Parent-Adolescent Conflict
There is this time where I was struggling with authority when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old. I'm very independent, but my mom was strict with curfew. I would read books all night and my mom will get so tired of telling me to go bed she would just leave me alone. I grew out of that eventually. -
2.2- Niche-picking
My mom always made me read books when I was little. During my teenage years, libraries were my home. I loved engrossing myself in books. I especially loved the young adult section, where I relate to all the romance comedy stories about teenage girls and their lives. I was obsessed with books that made me feel aesthetic, like The Fault in Our Stars and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I think I was often around books to the point where a part of my personality is formed from it. -
3.2- Differentiation
I'm 14 years old, and I have only one best friend who understands me and could, like, read my mind! We sing all the high school musical songs together because we both like music and love Zac Efron! But with my mom, we do different things like cooking dinner together because we love mexican food. We often make tacos. My siblings are very annoying but we love each other even though we fight a lot. -
3.3- Possible Self
I want to become a lawyer, but will I ever achieve it? Can I do it? I'm afraid I'll fail and work odd jobs for the rest of my life. I know there are many possible things I could do and be, but what if none of them work? What if I fail at life and just become homeless? Oh god, I hope that does not happen. I know I'm a good student, but I feel like I'm only barely getting by. Will I make it? How do I know? Oh, the stress!! -
6.2-Stimulation
A good friend of mine, Farrah, and I shared a lot of hilarious moments. Our friendship included a lot of stimulation, because at school, we did many things together and always found humor in everything. Because of her, school was bearable and I was able to find thing I felt were fun for us. -
4.1- Gender-typed behavior
I knew a guy who demonstrated heavy aggression inside and outside of the classroom. He would often make noises, yell at his male friends whenever he is rebutting with them or arguing. He sometimes randomly wrestle with his friends. In the classroom, if he gets noisy sometimes and the teachers would scold him and punish him if he does not stop. He does clearly show aggression that is constantly associated with his gender. -
4.2- Nongender typed behavior
Relational aggression often happens in girls, but I knew this guy who liked to cause problems between people just for fun. There were some other students fighting over him as well. Sometimes, when he does not like the person or what has done to him, he would spread rumors and act like he was not the one who started it. He is very smart, so it was hard for teachers and authorities to catch him doing "relational aggression". I'm glad I don't see that guy around anymore! -
1.2 Emerging Adulthood
I have been independent since I was a child. At the time, I was discharged from a psychiatric hospital. It was my 15th birthday. I remember the night very clearly: I understood the traumatic events I went through and I sensed that change was coming. I felt more evolved and stronger of what became of me. I believe I'm a little early that what the textbook says and it's because of the environment I was raised in that forced me to grow up quickly. -
6.3- Ego Support
I have a childhood friend named Dylan, and we grew up together doing so many different things. She is the one I come to for support or to vent, and in return I get positivity, reassurance, and advice on what to do whenever I ask it. She helps me to be the best person I can be. She is the kind of friend I will have for a lifetime. -
7.2- Transition to College
I remember feeling the senioritis and wanting to leave high school and its "cooties". However, it was a lot of work planning my future just by applying to colleges and finding money to fund college. As I enter college, my stress level increased just like it said in the book. However, I was still able to enjoy it as I met many new people and made friends. -
8.1- Rite of Passage
I do not think I have any significant rite of passages. Based on what the book says, having sexual intercourse for the first time is considered one of them. I had intercourse for the first time at the age of 18. Unfortunately, as mediocre as I was, I've done it on the roof of Union Station here at Washington, D.C.! The experience was not at all pleasurable but it is still an experience.