“One Life to Live”
Winnie Khaw
11th grade
“One Life to Live”
First, I apologize for the unoriginal title.
11th grade
“One Life to Live”
First, I apologize for the unoriginal title.
Second, I do not ask for your sympathy, only your understanding. Please know that I am not so pretentious as to believe I may rectify every failure, every mistake I have made in my life. I am painfully aware that is impossible. However, I do wish to regain my life, and if I must lose another half year, so be it.
I have been ill for nearly a year, and that negative experience has deprived me of the opportunity to develop and grow as a normal, healthy junior. I do not feel adequate to the task of adjusting to 11th grade, not because of the academic challenge but because of the maturity required of me. I am not mentally prepared to face colleges and think of later goals.
In 10th grade I missed the most crucial time of the year. I received “credit only” in Theatre and P.E., F’s in chemistry and math for not taking the finals, and a B in Spanish for a project I could not finish. I missed out on clubs, extracurricular activities, and community service. I have not taken the PSAT nor the SATs.
Before that episode, I had achieved straight A’s, an accomplishment accompanied by wild cheering and an embarrassing dance of which I will make no further mention. I realize that some teachers believe the “stress” of my grades caused my illness, or, at least, exacerbated it. I would respectfully like to differ. The difficulties I encountered were mainly internal and genetic.
I attended Independent Study after I began to recover, but that cannot truly compare to scholastic life in the classroom with a teacher and students.
My schedule this year was the stuff of dreams, at least my fantasies, which are geeky like that. I despise myself for giving it up, but I would abhor myself even more for attempting what I could not offer the best of my ability.
I believe that rejoining the latter part of sophomore year and finishing what I have begun will be most conducive to a successful future life.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Most sincerely,
Winnie Khaw
