I have played piano for as long as I can remember. Nothing comes as naturally or feels as fulfilling as sitting down at a bench to start working on a new piece. I have read music for nearly as long as I have read English. Music is intertwined throughout my life in ways words cannot describe. It is not shocking, then, when I explain that a Bluetooth page turner pedal most inspires me about how technology can make the world a better place. Though simplistic and unassuming, these page turners exemplify how technology can accommodate anyone, anywhere, for whatever they need. Technology plays a key role in allowing people with disabilities to live to their full potential, from screen readers and closed captions to physical devices that interact with phones, tablets, and computers. Assistive technology benefits everyone, whether someone requires assistance with daily tasks or just needs a bit of extra help to make their life easier. Page turners are the epitome of such an idea: something as mundane as turning a page on digital sheet music can be a life-changing accommodation to a person with a physical disability that prevents them from using a touchscreen. A Bluetooth page turner allows musicians to devote their entire focus to the piece they are playing, removing the need to worry about finding an acquaintance to turn pages for them or figure out when there are breaks in the music that will allow the performer to use a free hand. Thanks to the Bluetooth page turner, the musician has less to worry about, which improves the quality of their performance and increases the enjoyment of the audience. When life is easier for one person, the quality of life improves for everyone.

For many, college is incredibly stressful, but it doesn't have to be. The first step of maintaining physical and mental health as a student is to know your limits and take time for yourself, but this is easier said than done. Throughout my life, I have struggled to prioritize my health and wellness amidst academic and extracurricular commitments. Worried about letting others down, I would internalize my struggles and sacrifice my mental and physical health to maintain a packed schedule comprised of many activities, volunteer hours, and rigorous classes. My lifestyle was unsustainable, but I didn't stop overwhelming myself in every area of my life until my junior year of high school, when my mind could no longer withstand the pressure I had placed upon myself. During the fall of my junior year, I became involved in numerous activities and programs reflective of my passions and goals for the future, including a full-time internship, participation in my local school district's marching band, a part-time job, and rigorous preparation for a classical piano recital at Carnegie Hall. The commitments made towards these endeavors, combined with the high-volume academic workload I had assumed, eventually stretched me to my limit. I was unable to handle the time commitments of my activities and academics. Unwilling to disappoint any of those to whom I had promised my time, I chose to sacrifice my academic success over my other responsibilities. However, as I gained leadership roles in my extracurriculars, I soon began to struggle with balancing my activities, even as academics took a back seat. In my quest to avoid disappointing anyone, I let down everyone who depended on me, including myself. My academics suffered the most, and in my attempts to regain my footing and raise my grades before the end of the school year, I had to drop many activities. Although I assumed those I had let down would be upset with me for the impact it had on them, my teachers and friends were more concerned about the fact that I had prioritized everyone's needs but my own. My experience during my junior year had a lasting impact, both positive and negative; though my grades suffered, I learned a fundamental lesson about how to say "no" when I cannot handle additional commitments, whether they be academic or extracurricular. My knowledge of personal boundaries was invaluable during my transition to college, and whilst I saw my friends struggle to balance college-level coursework and the enhanced requirements of college clubs and activities, I was able to understand my limits. Today, I am highly involved on campus at the University of Southern California. I actively participate in and contribute to campus life as a member of the USC Trojan Marching Band, an Admitted Student Outreach Volunteer for the School of Dramatic Arts, a Research Assistant for the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and the Social Media Chair for the Sack of Troy, USC's parody newspaper. Still, I always make sure to take time for myself; I build at least one day with as few classes as possible into my academic schedule so I can focus on recharging and catching up on assignments for classes and clubs. I leave myself an hour before bed to unwind, read a book, and relax, creating a consistent sleep schedule that leaves me feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day when I wake up in the morning. Although my road to self-care was lengthy, I am grateful for the experiences that led to my appreciation of my mental and physical health. I hope other high-achieving students can do the same.