Hi everyone, I just decided to write this essay because I’m not really happy with the ones that I have so far. Please tell me what you guys think…I am awful at judging my own stuff. All advice and criticism welcome! Thanks
Topic: “meaningful event”
That all too familiar feeling reared up in my stomach again: the sort of tightening that happens right before you see your grade on a big test or while giving a presentation to thirty of your inattentive classmates and one very discriminating teacher. But this time it wasnt exactly the same yes, my leg bounced frantically and my heart beat a little more quickly than normal but excitement also pulsated throughout my body. I hugged my parents and waved goodbye and headed towards the room full of forty other teenagers I would be spending an entire week with. I was at medical camp.
I had heard horror stories from my friends a grade ahead of me: everyone is so mean; I left a day early because it was so terrible; my roommate was the worst ever! With this in mind, I slunk into the gathering room and found a seat next to a girl who seemed to share my fears.
Hi, Im Chris, I said in a quiet voice, scared that her expression would shift into a look of disgust and indignation. The reaction I got, though, was nothing of the sort.
Hey! she squeaked. I feel like such a dork sitting here all by myself! My heart instantly stopped palpitating and my breathing slowed: I had found at least one friendly cohort with whom I could pass the coming days.
Just as my nerves calmed down, however, came the unthinkable. The director of the camp told us all that we would each be doing a skit to introduce ourselves to the group and to break the ice. My new friend and I just stared at each other, jaws agape, wondering how the counselor actually expected getting up in front of everyone to make a fool out of ourselves would be a positive way to start off the week.
Chris *** came the first intonation, the counselor going alphabetically down the list of campers. Here it goes I thought to myself. I had concocted a skit that attempted humor, poking fun at my studious habits. Much to my surprise, my jokes actually evinced giggles and laughs and, by the end, I even got applause. As I sat down, I realized that perhaps the coming days held some true fun in store.
Luckily, my prediction turned out to be true. That night the counselor handed out the schedule and, glancing through it, I saw that in addition to the expected medical forays, she had planned many social activities. As the week progressed, I bonded with fellow doctor hopefuls from entirely different backgrounds and with entirely different perspectives. I danced, I swam, I laughed, I played volleyball, and I even sang karaoke to Baby Got Back. I found that my initial reservations were completely unwarranted and my usual shyness melted away. Not only was I having a blast exploring the different realms of medicine, but in the meantime, I was gaining self-assurance and making a few more steps towards adulthood.
Okay everyone, be sure to get up by 6:30 tomorrow so well all be ready by the time your parents arrive, shouted the counselor over the conversations. What? The week cant be over already! I declared to myself. Between all of the exciting adventures and new faces, I had lost track of time. After the next days brunch, I exchanged goodbyes and phone numbers with all of the people I had become surprisingly close to in such a short while. By the time the last picture was taken and the last farewell said, I realized that this week had been one of the best of my life.