As the oldest child in family, I have always wielded a considerable sense of responsibility over my own actions. Having two younger siblings look up to me, even subconsciously, in everything I say and do has definitely put me under a lot of pressure to be a shining example for them, from manners to academics. Furthermore, within my family extends a long line of college graduates, so there is also the expectation for me to follow in their footsteps.
Being biracial, I inherited a fusion of the cultures of each of my mom and dad, who are white and Japanese, respectively. Upon a closer look into myself, my personal culture could be better described as a patchwork of sorts, taking bits I like from each side of the family. This forged cultural identity has given me a certain sense of individuality, as I have not met many people who have one similar to me, especially not in my hometown of Waco, Texas. In this way, I have also…show more content… I try to get everything done as soon as I can, and being involved in several different activities has taught me to manage my time. I have maintained a pretty hefty course load throughout my entire high school career, taking almost every course as pre-AP (Advanced Placement) and AP when available. I tried in earlier school years to take easier classes for the good grades I knew I could earn with little effort, but they always left me feeling bored or unfulfilled. Challenging courses that require real effort and thought processing can be stressful, but are ultimately very rewarding, at least in my experience. It is quite common for students at my school to attend college, especially in my peer group of AP students. Seeing others around me striving towards similar goals inspires me to keep on achieving all that I
