Throughout my high school experience, I always felt underestimated by the advising department. Freshman year I was placed in all regular classes and felt helpless in terms of my schedule. I did not take this personally until I was having difficulty in algebra class and my adviser dropped me from the class with assumptions that I would fail otherwise. Sophomore year came around, and my request to be placed into honors classes was denied. By the end of that year, I was cumulatively a B student. But in my high school, a 3.0 was significantly below average. Looking back, the condescending treatment undoubtedly manifested from their awareness of my math learning disability and moderate case of ADHD. Despite their concerns, they transformed the learning disability into a misconception that I was incapable of academically challenging myself.
During the summer, I had an appointment with my advisor to discuss college. I told her about my top choice, Florida State, as well as my intention to apply to other prestigious universities. She took a look at my PSAT score and GPA, and then suggested that my preferred college choices were “reaches.” Instead of encouraging me to keep a positive attitude or make any substantial recommendations, she urged me to lower my standards and expectations throughout the application process.
As devastating as her implications were, I took the skepticism as an opportunity to dedicate myself towards improving my grades and raising my PSAT scores. Regardless of the discouragement, I was granted permission to take honors classes the following year. Studying significantly harder wasn't easy, but with the reassuring support from my amazing teachers and family, I was persistent and confident. However, during the period of my notable academic improvement, the advisors still denied my request to switch into pre-calculus and several AP classes.
Senior year I met with my adviser again and shocked her with my nearly perfect grades and incredibly higher SAT/ACT score. But, even while acknowledging the new consequences, she said my application still fell short. There was no better feeling than when I was accepted into eight out of the 10 colleges I applied to, including the Florida State University.
So, throughout high school, there have been a few lessons learned: the most important one was to not let others underestimate you and vice versa. I would be a completely different person if I allowed the pessimistic attitude and limitations set on me by my former advisers affect my drive to succeed. As unfortunate as the situation was, I also learned that it’s never too late to chase your goals.
And if any of my former advisers happen to stumble across this, just know that I’m becoming successful each and every day.
