Life in Struggles

Personal statement #1
Perhaps the most important influence that has shaped the person I am today is my upbringing in a traditional Punjabi family with the Sikh religion. My family has been an important source of support in all of the decisions I have made, and the Sikh’s three basic rules are to love yourself, your family, and your god; have been my guiding principles in life. Not only do I try to do things for others, but I always push myself to be the best I can be in all aspects of my life. I believe that to be a good person you must take the most challenging obstacles because they give the biggest rewards, help others for no profit except the feeling of self righteousness, and go for what you believe in.
One of the most important experiences that have had a large influence on me the past few years has been AVID (Advancement. Via. Individual. Determination) and taking rigorous classes. AVID required a person with major time-management skills and who will flourish as a person. I replaced the maunder person inside of me and became a diligent and meticulous working machine in honors programs, by having the same people in all my classes it was easy to get to know each other. Thus, I was not exposed to people very different from my self. Then AP classes arrived in front of me and they were full of diversity. I had people of all backgrounds and abilities in my classes just like AVID but these people were new to me, and I have been fortunate enough to get to know quite a few of them. This experience has made me more acceptable of differences. AVID has also made me take more AP courses to boot.
My religion has occupied a large portion of my time in high school. Along with this experience I have become more knowledgeable and more skillful that could never be gained in the classroom. I have gained a better appreciation for the religious discoverers and discoveries of the past and the years of frustration endured and satisfaction enjoyed by my people. I have also... [continues]

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