Describe a challenging situation that you have exp Essays - Jos Gmez

Describe a challenging situation that you have experienced and how you responded. The challenging situation I selected for this essay topic is coming to Massanutten Military Academy (MMA). This challenge was more than just coming to a new school, and much bigger than I could have imagined at the time. When I arrived at MMA, on a sunny, but cool January morning, I knew there would be some differences from my life a home. I had visited MMA in the spring a year before and I had viewed the website. I knew I would be wearing a uniform, as well as, other differences, but I did not realize that it would be a total departure from the life I had lead for the previous thirteen years. I have lived in Annapolis, Maryland and the surrounding area for my entire life, with exception of living in Thailand for two years. I had the same general group of school friends, raced sailboats with the same friends, at the local yacht club every summer, for the last eight years (more on that later). I played lacrosse and basketball with the same friends every winter, and spring, ate at the same locale restaurants and shopped at the same places. I guess you could say my life was comfortable and predictable. I was also given a lot of freedom and independence provided I meet expectations placed on me. For example, if I knew I had to be ready to leave the house at 7:45 am for school, I had the freedom to set my alarm for any time as long as I was ready in time. I could visit with friends after school, as long as I finished my homework before dinner. One of the things I loved most about sailing was the independence it gave me, especially when I was younger. When a sailor is on the race course, they alone decide when they should tack, which side of the course to take and how to approach the race, and in the end, they are responsible for those decisions. It is total independence and responsibility. When I arrived at MMA, I was extremely nervous and anxious to start a new school, but also excited to meet new people and make new friends. After registration, my phone, computer and clothes were taken from me. I was issued and dressed in a military uniform called ACUs, and immediately taken to class. I arrived during exams, so I sat quietly reviewing the school handbook, nervously thinking about what would happen next. After classes, I was escorted back to the dorms by my roommate. There I was provided the daily schedule, and given a tour of the barracks. I was now a "new cadet". The first night, all of the girls were punished because two girls were talking during formation, and had "drop (the schools term for pushups) for twenty". I could not understand why I was being punished. It was all overwhelming, but not just because I was unfamiliar with everything, but also because everyone was different from me and the friends I had my whole life. As a new cadet, I have no privileges. I only had access to my phone on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. I only received my laptops for school, and evening study period from 8:00 - 9:30 pm, and I was not permitted to leave campus. To receive privileges, like daily access to your phone after school, a new cadet must complete a series of six tests. This was challenge, because I had to find time to study for the tests, and still maintain my grades. All other privileges are awarded on the basis of other accomplishments. The greater the accomplishment, the bigger the privilege. The challenge I faced now, was how I was going to adapt to an environment completely different from the one I had known. My old environment was one of individuality, independence and privilege, while my new one was of rigid structure with no independence or privileges. At first, it was very hard to adjust to my new surroundings. As time passed, I adjusted to the military structures and I have learned to flourish. It was not