<p>Middle school sucked. I went to a magnet/charter school, with a bunch of so-called talented kids. Unfortunately, these kids lacked social skills, and I spent 2 years of my life barely making eye contact with girls. I also barely hung out with anyone outside of school, since I didn’t identify with those kids at all. Then to make matters worse, I was universally known for being extremely good at math, meaning I was a “nerd” in a “nerd school.” Yeah, it was awful.</p>
<p>As a result, my freshman year of high school was just plain awkward. I had no sense of social ability and I rarely spoke to anyone. I was also tiny (5’4", 105) and had no self-confidence.</p>
<p>Sophomore year, I joined football, and started lifting. I got bigger (5’8", 145) and I started to talk to more people. Things kept progressing until now, I’m a senior and 5’11, 175 and I finally feel like a man. I’ve learned that I don’t care what people think of me, and believe it or not, I’m talking to (and hanging out with) girls. When I look back at where I was as a freshman, I laugh since I’ve came so far socially.</p>
<p>I think that given where middle school left me, I’ve done about as good as I could do for myself in High School. I just think that my middle school years left me at a huge disadvantage.</p>