Chris+L

http://animoto.com/play/3tiZ9KAIHqxxZGLvoVo0oQ

As much as I hate to admit the timeless realization of how much one has changed during their high school years, I have no other choice but to accept it. I have developed both as a person and in height (even if only a few inches) from a chubby thoughtless freshman to a slightly less chubby but evermore thoughtless senior. Though it’s kind of a stretch, I could say that my hair has both grown with me and represented the various stages of this portion of my life. Freshman year was kind of boring. Against my will, I had a buzz cut with which I would always struggle with my mom to let me grow out. While developing my identity, I started out plain as my demeanor—I didn’t join any clubs, had no extracurriculars, and only looked forward to playing video games after school. I thought little of school besides whatever it took to get As, and never actually studied for anything. I guess I was your stereotypical asian loser guy, albeit one that didn’t prepare for college. Is it more than coincidence that my last name with “ser” added to the end is loser? As my hair grew though, I joined key club and marching band, and started actually even talking to the occasional girl or two. This isn’t to say I was smart though; I somehow obtained a mullet. Stupid, right? Yeah, I was (and I guess my hair too). I realized I actually had to study for tests and that there was more to life than video games. My sophomore year, I joined more clubs, actually made some friends, and starting thinking critically in my spiritual life. However, I was still weird and as if proving a point, my hair started turning curly. Into junior year, I signed up for a few APs and utilized the full extent of my ability, practicing hours for marching band by afternoon and doing an enormous load of APUSH and Calc homework by night. My hair grew to an all time low and was an unruly mass, the very reflection of my mental stability. How much longer could I stay up until 3 doing APUSH study guides, still stay awake in class, and worry about the SAT and marching band all at the same time? Despite my discomposure, I grew nevertheless and learned how to focus my attention and ability on certain things at a time. For some reason, I went and permanently straightened my hair. Identically, I somehow learned to use my workload to better myself and began to understand the endless content my classes threw at me. It was in the spring of my junior year that I at last cut off the growth on my head that I called hair and got a “normal” haircut. After this moment of “awakening”, I was able to concentrate and truly focus my ability. I did fine on my last SAT after months of worrying (although only a week of actual preparation), and also on my AP exams. I acquired various leadership positions in preparation for senior year, and all the while kept God and my grades balanced. Senior year was kind of frightening at first, since I actually had to finally deal with the dreaded college application. While my hair grew, I managed it okay (though some object), and additionally dealt with my schoolwork accordingly. I learned how //not// to lead, how to slack, and even how to dance at the very first dance in my life, Charity Ball. After my acceptance into Carolina, I was somewhat plagued by senioritis despite the looming threat of AP exam season. Nevertheless, I was able to combat the disease and consequently was able to experience prom after years of hype. It wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Though a ridiculous comparison, my life in high school has undergone many changes just as my hair has. As I grow in my future years, I can only hope I become mature enough to sport a buzz cut again.