Growing up in a low-income household, my parents wanted me to have as many opportunities as possible, opportunities that weren’t available when they grew up. My mom especially emphasized getting a good SAT score since it could open me up to many colleges. However, the pressure weighed on me because I was never good at math. It’s always been my weakest subject and biggest hurdle. In class, it was like my math teacher spoke in a foreign language that everyone else but me was fluent in. I felt like I didn’t belong there, like I was dumb. My insecurities worsened when my teacher started putting us in groups every day. My face would burn with embarrassment as I stood off to the side of my group, asking them countless questions and contributing next to nothing. So when I faced the math portion of the SAT, it felt impossible. I didn’t realize at the time that what I needed most was a new way to learn. So, I decided to approach studying for the math section with an open mind. No longer telling myself, “You can’t do this” or “You’re not smart enough,” I studied to truly learn the material, not just to improve my test score. Incorrect answers, small errors, and questions I didn’t even know, turned from discouraging moments into learning experiences. I studied by carefully reading through the descriptions in my textbook, and I started exploring Desmos to help with solving problems. Eventually, something finally clicked. I even became comfortable enough to solve problems by hand, and math no longer felt so intimidating to me. Comparatively, the Reading & Writing section came more easily. My English teachers were a huge inspiration because they spoke with eloquence and clarity. They made grammar and literary analysis feel completely natural, and studying for the SAT gave me an opportunity to apply their teachings. Additionally, I decided to be more consistent with studying by scheduling it every weekend. Because of that, the passages started to deeply interest me. Some taught me about history and science, while others discussed my interests in classical art, fashion, and music. I even turned my study sessions into something I looked forward to, spending evenings in my favorite cafés with a latte and my test materials. It was a big change from how doubtful I first felt, and when test day came, I didn’t feel nervous anymore. The day the SAT scores were released is one I remember vividly. I was at work when my phone rapidly started buzzing with messages: “Did you see your score yet?” “What did you get?” My heart raced as I opened the test scores page and waited in nervous anticipation… My eyes widened, my breath paused, and my jaw fell to the floor. “1410.” I immediately started jumping up and down, squealing. My co-worker noticed my excitement, so I showed her the screen, still in shock. For once, it truly felt like my effort, consistency, and self-belief had paid off. I felt such a deep sense of pride, and all my fears of “not being smart enough” melted away at that moment. With newfound confidence, I aim to score 1500 to challenge what I once thought was impossible and to reinforce my understanding of weaker subjects. The SAT started as something I feared, but it slowly became proof that while growth takes time, the effort to achieve it always pays off.