To some people, education is not their preferred road to success. However, to me, it is the only way to get there. I dedicate most of my time to studying, learning, and getting good grades, no matter how challenging the courses and situations are. Switching a nation is always hard, and yet I am proud of myself for still being near the top of the class. This comes with other consequences that I have never realized until recently. Five years ago, I was still in the hot, tropical country of Vietnam when I heard the news that we were moving to America. I did not think much of it because I had already traveled to the United States almost a dozen times and thought this one should be the same. It turns out I was wrong. At the airport, I realized that my home was no longer in Vietnam and that I would only be a visitor there in the future. It feels strange also to know that my brother had to stay behind and that I won’t be able to see him for a year or so. From then on, no other details of this flight and trip were the same as before. COVID lockdowns started around the world just a month later. With all governmental offices locked down and reduced efficiency, no paperwork was delivered to us. And with no paperwork, for the first time, I have experienced the difficulties of living in an economically restrained condition. However, the confounding of all my hardships – being an immigrant, the pandemic lockdown, and the limited financial capabilities – were beneficial to me. My paperwork arrived just in time for the new school year, and the pandemic perfectly adapted me to the new school system. My entire eighth grade was virtual, and I only started my classroom learning in 9th grade. Everyone was having a new start in high school, and so did I. Starting from then, I spent even more time for school. Knowing that I would need more time and effort to do school assignments than others, I barely went outside of my house for the first two years. However, this came at a cost. I realized the lack of social activities that I was experiencing, and how it would affect me in the long run. To accomplish my goals, I had to achieve every aspect, big or small, of what is required for it. This means I need to be well-rounded in my academics, social skills, and personal development. Focusing on my studies alone would be insufficient, as I was missing out on the other two aspects, which are as equally important as academics. With this in mind, I am starting to open myself more to be more socialized, through gathering with friends as well as starting a job, and making myself better every day, while still staying on top of my schoolwork.