A common mistake within our society is that we judge people on their past too much. If I were the same person I was ten years ago, I’d be in serious trouble. People learn from previous mistakes and experiences and change. Let me take you on a journey of a piece of my life to show you how much people can change if you just give them the chance.

When I was younger I was a real troublemaker. In elementary school, I was considered an idiot because I was in the slower math and reading classes and I would do terribly in school. I tried hard to fit into groups I wasn’t apart of and I would make myself look like a fool to feel like everyone else. I also had a serious anger issue when I was in my earlier stages.

Starting in second or third grade I had an anger issue that not many kids had. I would enter a fit of rage that would be hard to get out of until I hit something. I laugh about it now, but when I was younger it was no joking matter. I would fight a lot with my family and it made me a bad person.

Junior high rolled around, and I got even worse. I was always in detention or in suspension when I was not failing my classes. I had a hard time getting B’s and struggled a lot. I didn’t care at the time, so I just went on with my bad behavior like it was nothing. It was probably my 30^th detention when the vice principal brought me down to his office. I could tell he was disgusted with my behavior.

He asked me what college I wanted to attend when I grew up. I said that I wanted to go to any four-year university, specifically the University of Illinois but I didn’t really care because I was only in seventh grade. What he said next makes me laugh today, but really pissed me off back then. He told me that I would never get into any college and that my future was sad unless I changed my attitude.

I was pissed! How could a vice principal say that about a student? I realize now that it was tough love, but I took that as such an insult at the time. For a short period of time, I got worse.

My attitude got worse and my grades dropped even more. My parents brought me to a psychiatrist to work on my anger problem. Thankfully that helped me work on my stupidity. I played football to let out my anger by hitting people legally. Both things started to mold the person I am today.

Finally, I was in high school. I joined the football team and made a lot of friends through the team. My anger started to diminish, and I started to become more like me. I focused on my grades a lot more because I started to mature, and I was finally happy with myself. I was slowly but surely proving my old vice principal wrong. My GPA was skyrocketing and my attitude was getting better.

My hard work in high school helped me get into college. I got into Illinois State and I couldn’t be happier. My GPA is in the middle threes and I’m doing well in school. My point is, if I were the same person I was ten years ago, I’d probably be working at McDonald’s with no future in sight.

Imagine If I were still treated like that angry little kid who couldn’t pass a class.

I would be misjudged, and I know I’m not my past. It doesn’t matter who you used to be, it matters who you are now. It is never too late to change, so if you want to change, do it. Always remember, your past is your past for a reason.