After months of stress from family and friends about getting into a "good" college, I was ready to burst. How could I ever live up to everyone's expectations? I was a fairly good student (I received mostly A's and fairly good test scores), but the schools that I was pressured to get into were extremely competitive. My family had given me the impression that I could only be successful in life if I graduated from one of the few, well known, "elite" schools. It was enough to make me not want to go to college at all!
Thank goodness I talked to my track coach. After a long discussion, I realized that I could get just as good an education at a lesser known school as long as I worked my hardest. I learned that my coach, who was also one of my most respected teachers, had gone to a college with a reputation as an average school, and had the experience of a lifetime.
Now, as I begin to apply for college, I know that no matter where I go, I will get an education that will benefit me for the rest of my life.
