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Entering Adolescence
My first school camp the summer of my 6th grade year was the first time where I immersed with an expanded social circle. My life started to shift into strengthening relationships with peers, which had prompted a series of abstract thinking within our interactions. Puberty had came and I found myself questioning my own identity. I saw myself to be more responsible and independent. -
7.1: Transition to Middle School
My transition to middle school was not stressful or chaotic. I went to a K-12 school with only under 100 students, so I knew everyone there and had some connections already. My teachers and family told me what to expect in middle school, so I felt prepared. Knowing that I won't be staying with one teacher all day, that excited me. I enjoyed being challenged by academic work as well as opportunities to spend time with friends. -
4.1: Gender Intensification
Around 7th to 8th grade my friends started to tell me the way I acted and dressed deemed feminine. Happy with myself, I was not bothered or obligated in how I should act for my gender but I did not face pressure until they begun to question my sexual identity. I would claim as bisexual or gay, but was confused about my true orientation. Once I confirmed my identity, I felt free of pressure to conform. -
Maturational Timing
My puberty began when I was 14 years old, making me an average maturer. I saw physical changes such as hair growth and acne. I resonate mostly with the characteristics of late-maturing adolescents given my high devotion for academic and career advancement. -
6.2: Stimulation
One big parts that I experienced in my friendships during adolescence was stimulation. My friends exposed me with many new information and experiences that I have never seen or heard of before. They were huge motivator encouraging me to come out of my comfort zone, where I essentially landed in activities that made me tackle my motivation and purpose. The stimulation prompted me to do bad things as a teen but then towards landing onto leadership positions in my school organizations. -
Parent Adolescent Conflict
When I started to engage more with my peers, I have recognized the generation gap between my mom and I. As I became more autonomous, I saw myself trying new things and believing things that my mom disagreed, politically and religiously. She questioned expectations and our disagreements, but our conflict was never severe because of our openness, compromise, and willingness to solve issues. -
Niche Picking
When I arrived at Youth Leadership Camp, I remember I was originally reserved in making new friends because of my passive traits. Although I was laidback, my evocative correlations allowed me to remain steadily cooperative and attentive to my environment. These have slowly pushed me to discover interests and skills, as well as contribute to activities. -
Social Cognition
One summer I realized I needed to move on from unhealthy relationships and experiences I had. My junior year, I showed up to school with a new mindset for pursuing academic and extracurricular focus. I saw how I was different with my peers in this endeavor- I maintained a 4.0 GPA and was elected officer for a few organizations. I had good metacognition and an ideal about the future possibilities. My personal fable believed I had an easy way of getting through in school, contributing to my ego. -
7.3: Intrinsic Motivation
When I came home from Youth Leadership Camp, I told myself I wanted to change how I approach schooling. Prior to my junior year, I was not mature in school and I was given choices to change that. I was determined to focus on my own good-will and engage academically and that is when I saw flow in my learning. Seeing that my GPA change from low 3.0s to consistent 4.0, I realized that being cognitively engaged and possessing responsibility for my actions are what motivates me to accomplish. -
3.2: Social Comparison
I remember questioning my identity and satisfaction in my relationships during high school. I was confused about what my interests were, so I evaluated my personal and social worth, and saw that my friends had different motivations and pursuits. I realized I would be better off focusing on myself, school, and family. I was able thrive given my high level of self-esteem and self-actualization. -
3.3: Abstraction
Social comparison having led me to better understanding of self and my motivations, it helped me to tackle more on goals and pursue progress. It allowed me to be more abstract in my interaction with the world, by thinking broadly about how I could contribute to my career and public service. This helped me narrow towards realistic plans. -
6.3: Intimacy and Affection
Throughout high school, I was close to certain people. I would be attending to small circle of girl friends who I felt understood and supported me for who I am. I appreciated being able to share experiences and interests, which secured bond and trusting relationships. As time goes by, I became more comfortable with them and that is when my self-disclosure had developed. -
8.1: Rite of Passage
My rite of passage is quite ambiguous. I am not certain exactly a time in which the coming-of-age event has happened. But, when I passed my driver's test at 15, my family would start to rely on me for driving. At 17, I graduated from high school but would not move out until a year later due to the pandemic. Although this and my graduation were not universal changes, these were the times I saw increased responsibilities and commitments. This is a different plate than the one in my childhood. -
Emerging Adulthood
At 18, I moved to live at Gallaudet and that was the first time I had been separated from my family for a long time. I carried my independence and identity confidence along, and had started to be open to the possibilities and opportunities. Having took on them, I realized I was self-focused and wanted stability. I started to assume responsibilities/roles with my financies, work, and community collaborations. -
7.2: Transition to College
Moving to college was a bit stressful for me because I was never away from my family for more than a month. But because of my autonomy and previous experience at community college, I was confident in embarking this journey. Here, I find myself interacting with diverse people more, learning different cultures and values. I felt there were more opportunities and challenges offered for me, giving me the opportunity to explore lifestyles and careers.