Select a picture of yourself between ages 10 -15. Describe the intellectual, social, and/ or physical developmental characteristics which were the most challenging for you. Bring in the picture to class. Be ready to share.
Throughout my early adolescent years, I was going through multiple changes physically, intellectually and developmentally. As a middle school student I remember being very self conscious with myself, and constantly adjusting my hair and clothes. It was during this time that I soon became very involved in friendships, and took great pride in my extracurricular activities. I recall experiencing great changes, and always feeling very self aware. The developments during these stages always linked to feelings of embarrassment. Moments such as walking down the corridor or sitting at the lunch table are the events that seem to stick out greater in my memory than the content in which I had learned. In this picture, I was 13 years old and it is evident that I was coming into a different body as I was seemingly small in stature. Adjusting to my physical features took a great deal of time. I recall feeling very awkward in my body, feeling discomfort at my seat and always wanting to fix my hair. Looking back there were moments that I remember the fear of getting my period at school, or regretting the outfit for that day because it was drawing too much attention to myself. The aspects of puberty at times was very concerning. I remember feeling underdeveloped compared to my classmates. This was definitely due to the fact that I was very athletic. However, I do not remember anyone discussing the fact that everyone goes through changes at different rates. The lack of this discussion definitely lead to confusion. Nevertheless, I eventually accepted the rate of my development as I began to learn that not all of my friends had experienced these changes yet. The two years of Middle School, the “awkward years,” is when I developed my personality, who I wanted to be friends with and what type of student I wanted to be. In addition, my emotions ran high, and anything a teacher may have said that was anything but positive, I took great offense to. During middle school I began to form strong beliefs on relationships and how I wished to be conveyed by others. I was very concerned with picking the “right” friends and who I wanted to be associated with. I experienced the concept of differentiated self, in which I changed my behaviors based on the audience I was around (Brighton, p.26). The friendships, and the way I acted were solely based on what would elevate my status within the school. I was certainly not one of the popular kids, but I did choose who I wanted to be friends with. As a young adolescent I was relatively mature for my age. I recall being well like by my teachers, and taking great pride in academics. In the eighth grade I was in a middle level for two classes, and an upper level for two classes. This concept of switching between levels was devastating. I felt as though I was never comfortable with either class and that it was known amongst my classmates that I was not in all upper level classes. This created great distress throughout the whole year, and lead me to dread attending school. Middle school was a time of great changes, and looking back I remember the desire I had to fit in. I grew a lot over those two years both physically and mentally. I soon became independent and wanted everyone around me to like who I had become.
As a middle school student I rember it being very awkward. There were so many changes taking place. Physically I remember being not supper tall but taller than most of my classmates. This was always awkward for me. It wasn't until half way through middle school that everyone else, boys and girls, grew and we were either the same height or they were taller. During this time I was very self conscious. For me, I was kinda lucky, I went to a Catholic school so we wore uniforms. So outside of the maybe once a month dress down day we all were dressed the same so what you wore was never really judged. In a sense, I think I was pretty lucky. In conconlution middle school was a pretty awkward time for everyone. Personally I was very self conscious but fortunate I wore a uniform so clothing was not judged daily by my peers.
As most other girls in middle school, I was still trying to find "myself." I look back now and think "wow, I was awkward." I was basically the same height as I am now, but I had glasses and braces.. I played most sports and was part of most clubs. I attended catholic school, so my attire was already chosen for me, but during dress down days I wore outfits from "Limited Too." I tried to be unique, but I also looked around to older students to see what they were doing and wearing.
In middle school I was extremely uncomfortable with who I was in a physical sense. I was never comfortable with my body and how I looked. I remember being jealous of other girls, even though deep down I knew that no one was sure of themselves at that age. Every day I would wear a big sweatshirt and jeans because I didn't want to wear anything tight. This was especially troublesome when I would hang out with my friends because they all became comfortable with their bodies way before I did, so we had completely different senses of styles and I felt alienated socially. However, anytime there was a trendy style I would try to fit in with everyone else because if you're not doing what the crowd is doing in middle school, you stand out. I'm happy that we all grew up to realize that it literally couldn't matter less what you look like or how you dress.
Middle school was certainly an oddity in my life. It was when I was at my peak physically and performed amazingly well. I was the fastest in mile runner in my school one year. I came in second place at the East Providence Spelling Bee the same year. Great grades, great placements in cross country running, yet, was not popular or even well known. Mostly kept to myself, other than a couple friends whom I would see outside of school. It was definitely a finding myself period. I did not really know what I wanted or even liked. The idea of a romantic relationship seemed more like a part school but not an actual want. What sports did I like? I do not know, so I just did almost all of them, wrestling, soccer, track, even tennis. In fact, my middle school years must have been very muddled because I honestly do not remember that many memorable moments from them. They just sort of happened and I do seem to feel more of a fondness for them at least because of my apparent success during that time But socially? Not much seems to have transpired. Strong bonds did not really form, at least not until high school. The best way I can describe the years are that they were awkward. Everything and nothing happened because I did not know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to belong, which makes it rather...well...awkward.
I am on the right here. As you can see, like many adolescents, I was very attached to my friends. They made up a large part of my identity. I remember the time period that this picture was taken, although over ten years ago, I remember how uncomfortable I was with my body and how I used to compare my own physical developments with theirs, which was a detrimental thing to do (although, who's never done that?). At this time, I was trying hard to get good grades in school, because that was what all my friends did. Overall, I would say that I had it pretty great, as I had a great support system and was relatively well adjusted.
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ReplyDeleteThroughout my early adolescent years, I was going through multiple changes physically, intellectually and developmentally. As a middle school student I remember being very self conscious with myself, and constantly adjusting my hair and clothes. It was during this time that I soon became very involved in friendships, and took great pride in my extracurricular activities. I recall experiencing great changes, and always feeling very self aware. The developments during these stages always linked to feelings of embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteMoments such as walking down the corridor or sitting at the lunch table are the events that seem to stick out greater in my memory than the content in which I had learned. In this picture, I was 13 years old and it is evident that I was coming into a different body as I was seemingly small in stature. Adjusting to my physical features took a great deal of time. I recall feeling very awkward in my body, feeling discomfort at my seat and always wanting to fix my hair. Looking back there were moments that I remember the fear of getting my period at school, or regretting the outfit for that day because it was drawing too much attention to myself. The aspects of puberty at times was very concerning. I remember feeling underdeveloped compared to my classmates. This was definitely due to the fact that I was very athletic. However, I do not remember anyone discussing the fact that everyone goes through changes at different rates. The lack of this discussion definitely lead to confusion. Nevertheless, I eventually accepted the rate of my development as I began to learn that not all of my friends had experienced these changes yet.
The two years of Middle School, the “awkward years,” is when I developed my personality, who I wanted to be friends with and what type of student I wanted to be. In addition, my emotions ran high, and anything a teacher may have said that was anything but positive, I took great offense to. During middle school I began to form strong beliefs on relationships and how I wished to be conveyed by others. I was very concerned with picking the “right” friends and who I wanted to be associated with. I experienced the concept of differentiated self, in which I changed my behaviors based on the audience I was around (Brighton, p.26). The friendships, and the way I acted were solely based on what would elevate my status within the school. I was certainly not one of the popular kids, but I did choose who I wanted to be friends with.
As a young adolescent I was relatively mature for my age. I recall being well like by my teachers, and taking great pride in academics. In the eighth grade I was in a middle level for two classes, and an upper level for two classes. This concept of switching between levels was devastating. I felt as though I was never comfortable with either class and that it was known amongst my classmates that I was not in all upper level classes. This created great distress throughout the whole year, and lead me to dread attending school.
Middle school was a time of great changes, and looking back I remember the desire I had to fit in. I grew a lot over those two years both physically and mentally. I soon became independent and wanted everyone around me to like who I had become.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qxDYiWIk4Hgoluto3lQY736oOKRrtYZFmGmhfOqmj7Y/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteHere is a shareable link to my reflection and photo.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rPiZaPl90UA0AMxSWiZJgfNvsKAn3hrxPNzcjGmWDG8/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteHere is my shareable link to my reflection and photo
I had the same experience with clubs, they definitely introduced you into other cliques in school and gave you some great "automatic" friends!
DeleteHere is a link to my photo and reflection:
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1WZZrs1Mph0a6RUxVv6kfc6TRSuHYODvQc-CeDMcE71E/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MkKXdNOhiWoD0pEEqHd-MBbUGMfO87X_-3tyfEZUIrg/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteShareable link to reflection and photo
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTOf45cwpP8P-zHqIga7mPh9F6OKYXmWJHiMRMWXSt5Ztw_U6LQxWnCsMyMPwT8t90aODiur2F33JW0/pub
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to my reflection and photo
Here's a shareable link to my photo and reflection!
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1syjAEJcl3j0k5yoZYF8KrYq20ockZv8Eztjbk3oPcRo/edit?usp=sharing
As a middle school student I rember it being very awkward. There were so many changes taking place. Physically I remember being not supper tall but taller than most of my classmates. This was always awkward for me. It wasn't until half way through middle school that everyone else, boys and girls, grew and we were either the same height or they were taller. During this time I was very self conscious. For me, I was kinda lucky, I went to a Catholic school so we wore uniforms. So outside of the maybe once a month dress down day we all were dressed the same so what you wore was never really judged. In a sense, I think I was pretty lucky. In conconlution middle school was a pretty awkward time for everyone. Personally I was very self conscious but fortunate I wore a uniform so clothing was not judged daily by my peers.
ReplyDeleteAs most other girls in middle school, I was still trying to find "myself." I look back now and think "wow, I was awkward." I was basically the same height as I am now, but I had glasses and braces.. I played most sports and was part of most clubs. I attended catholic school, so my attire was already chosen for me, but during dress down days I wore outfits from "Limited Too." I tried to be unique, but I also looked around to older students to see what they were doing and wearing.
ReplyDeletehttps://scontent.fzty2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67528_10150095160929622_2137844_n.jpg?oh=9fe019dd3a94744c85e9e5d260285a0e&oe=5A4DE718
ReplyDeleteIn middle school I was extremely uncomfortable with who I was in a physical sense. I was never comfortable with my body and how I looked. I remember being jealous of other girls, even though deep down I knew that no one was sure of themselves at that age. Every day I would wear a big sweatshirt and jeans because I didn't want to wear anything tight. This was especially troublesome when I would hang out with my friends because they all became comfortable with their bodies way before I did, so we had completely different senses of styles and I felt alienated socially. However, anytime there was a trendy style I would try to fit in with everyone else because if you're not doing what the crowd is doing in middle school, you stand out. I'm happy that we all grew up to realize that it literally couldn't matter less what you look like or how you dress.
Middle school was certainly an oddity in my life. It was when I was at my peak physically and performed amazingly well. I was the fastest in mile runner in my school one year. I came in second place at the East Providence Spelling Bee the same year. Great grades, great placements in cross country running, yet, was not popular or even well known. Mostly kept to myself, other than a couple friends whom I would see outside of school. It was definitely a finding myself period. I did not really know what I wanted or even liked. The idea of a romantic relationship seemed more like a part school but not an actual want. What sports did I like? I do not know, so I just did almost all of them, wrestling, soccer, track, even tennis. In fact, my middle school years must have been very muddled because I honestly do not remember that many memorable moments from them. They just sort of happened and I do seem to feel more of a fondness for them at least because of my apparent success during that time But socially? Not much seems to have transpired. Strong bonds did not really form, at least not until high school. The best way I can describe the years are that they were awkward. Everything and nothing happened because I did not know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to belong, which makes it rather...well...awkward.
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTzhnHZRxRYqZSkAaf0fGq-u9WiEEeTIO4XyAVRf87ACSm1xYLdi5lZ8SMxjHWd7_msE-QbrxZe8YSP/pub
Deletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/15W70TZdx3p6ADQy9EGP8AMeXk-2ReUZSxra85TE7Pt4/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteI am on the right here. As you can see, like many adolescents, I was very attached to my friends. They made up a large part of my identity. I remember the time period that this picture was taken, although over ten years ago, I remember how uncomfortable I was with my body and how I used to compare my own physical developments with theirs, which was a detrimental thing to do (although, who's never done that?). At this time, I was trying hard to get good grades in school, because that was what all my friends did. Overall, I would say that I had it pretty great, as I had a great support system and was relatively well adjusted.