I recently read a tweet from a girl at my university that read "girls who wear makeup and dress cute for 8 AM classes need to get a life" as I was walking into my 8:15 class in my favorite jeans, Birkenstocks, and of course, my usual makeup. What I had read immediately annoyed me, but worse than that, it struck a familiar feeling inside of me that I couldn't get rid of, but desperately wanted to.
Ever since my freshman year in high school, I have been labeled as an "over achiever". Whether it comes to writing an extra half-a-page on an essay, or always having my nails freshly painted, to making good grades, I have probably been teased about it. Teasing and making jokes is fine, but honestly, since when is it a bad thing to try hard?
It had never once occurred to me that when I was being called an over achiever all of these years, that it was an insult. But once I read the tweet from a girl who was saying that the people, who happened to fit my description perfectly, needed a life, it struck a chord- the last chord. I am so over getting annoyed looks from classmates while they roll their eyes after they ask me how well I did on a hard quiz- that I happened to study hard for and do well on. I'm over getting judged for trying and looking presentable to the world, myself, and my peers an teachers everyday. I'm over getting stereotyped as a snob just because dressing nice and doing my makeup each morning makes me feel good about myself and prepares me for my future profession as a teacher.
As I write in my planner and take notes to get ahead on studying in my classes, I've concluded that I will officailly stop caring what people think or say about me caring "too much" about school or impressing people. I try hard to be successful for me. I dress cute and make good grades for me, and I will never be ashamed of "over achieving", yet will be proud. I don't judge people who flunk tests or wear sweat pants to class or forget to do their homework, so please, stop judging me for remembering.
So, to all of those who will still say that I need a life for getting up early enough to put on my makeup, and take the time and effort to put together a nice outfit for class everyday:
I will be too busy being confident and comfortable with myself to care.
And to all of you other "over achievers" out there, keep on keeping on. Keep trying hard and working for what you want. Don't ever let people's judgement of you stop you from working hard, being happy with yourself, and, as always, over achieving.
Sincerely,
The queen of over achieving.
