I’m a 17 year old high school student, currently a senior. I don’t think my life has been that difficult, but it’s definitely not been perfect.

I was born in Cali, Colombia. My mother left my father when I was young to go to the United States in search of a better life for me. Adapting to the schools and language wasn’t as hard as expected. Soon I had a stepfather who became a big part of my life and then a younger brother who is fun to bother

Growing up, I had many friends who did drugs and sometimes hooking up with someone. I’ve never been easily influenced to do anything, so I guess it’s good to be stubborn sometimes. This saved me from the problems that soon came to my former friends. Some were arrested; others I knew had kids.
Incredibly, I started to see more of this as I entered high school. Kids just wanting attention, wanting to be “cool” in front of everyone. Sex was becoming a common conversation to many. I’d hear many stories about one person doing this and that. Name calling and bullying certain people who had multiple relationships with someone, started to become more common. You could you hear it everywhere. Guys thinking they’re “cool” because of who they have been with, spreading rumors, embarrassing girls, ruining their reputations. Shocked is the only way I could describe what I felt about high school in my freshman year.

Now, as a Senior, I have seen girls not even 18 yet, pregnant in school walking in the hallways. I feel bad for them only if they just didn’t have sex with someone their lives would be different. All in an instant, someone’s life is changed just because they wanted to be like someone else or finally be the “cool” kid in school. As a Senior in high school, I can tell you that they aren’t the cool kids. They’re the ones not succeeding in life. They’re the ones left behind.

Making the right decisions can be difficult. Also, knowing what really is wrong or right is challenging at times. No one is alone and you don’t have to make decisions by yourself. That’s why LoveSmarts connects hundreds of teens who openly share their experiences. It allows us teens to learn from their experiences and better ourselves. Don’t ever feel like you’ll never be heard, don’t let yourself to get down with the feeling of insecurity. Interact with the many teens who share the same feeling you do. Learn the consequences of immature choices and learn how to start making healthy choices.