As someone who has struggled to be self-confident, I had never really considered myself talented in anything, no matter how well I did. However, all of that changed when I went to high school and took Algebra II. I was one of the few freshmen in a sophomore class, and that was intimidating. I was scared to answer questions and participate in class discussions for fear of what the older students would think of me. But, I soon realized very few students were answering questions, and this was my opportunity. So, one day, I worked up the courage to answer a question. I got it right, and I felt extremely proud of myself. I began to answer more and more questions, and I became increasingly confident in myself and my math abilities. My algebra class quickly became my favorite hour, and I looked forward to it every day because I got to push myself and show everyone that a freshman belonged in that class. I earned an award for being one of the top students, and, in that moment, I knew that I truly loved math, and it would always play a big role in my life. The next year, I took geometry, and I was the only sophomore in my hour. I had no one I knew, and this was another unfamiliar experience for me. But, I remembered how I persevered in my algebra class, and I did the same in this situation. I excelled and eventually started my own private tutoring business that year to earn a little extra money. I worked with a couple of juniors in my class, and I even helped one of my clients get her grade up from a D to a high B. It was extremely fulfilling for me to use my skills to help someone else. As a senior, I am now taking AP Calculus AB, the highest level math class at my school, and I am also an instructor at Mathnasium. Math has played such a huge role in my life since my freshman year, and I know it will always be important to me in my education, career, and future as a physician. If I had told my middle school self that math would be such an immense part of my life, I would not have believed it, but look at where I am now!