experience yu had as a teenger

Manuela Almeida

Student

134 Perry St

Exam

Reflective Writing

The teenage years are for some the most traumatic or wonderful years they will ever experience . Many experiences through these years decide how individuals will act as adults , the paths they will take in life the careers they will choose , and if and how they raise their families I remember a choice that I made as a teenager that would forever change my life . To this day , that choice still affects me . Choosing not to go to a party with

my friends saved my life . My friends were in a terrible car accident leaving the party , and one of them did not survive . This experience has affected the choices I make today . Because of the loss of my friend , I do not take unnecessary risks , I monitor my behavior in social situations , and I have a greater respect for life

Losing my friend when I was a teenager has made me very cautious about getting into potentially dangerous situations . Just as the night I chose not to go to the party , I often opt out of celebrations that involve alcohol or have the potential to offer drugs . I usually will go to the coffee shop or to dinner with a friend or family member instead Potentially dangerous or volatile friends scare me as well . I don 't get close to risk takers for the fear of losing them . My group of friends in high school was a little bit wild , and since the night of the party that took my friend 's life , I have changed my circle of friends . I don 't go to the clubs to drink , but will go to dance every now and again if I am going with another friend who is also planning on staying sober Even when I stay in , I do not partake in risky behaviors . I do not drink alcohol or take drugs . Unnecessary risks are just that unnecessary

Going out ' doesn 't mean the same thing to me now as it did to me in high school . Then , it was all about finding a place to party , listening to music , drinking alcohol illegally , and hooking ' up with people Since that fateful night years ago , I monitor my behavior in social situations very carefully . Before even going out , I make sure that I have a safe friend to accompany me . I make sure that I am always prepared with a cell phone and extra money in case something happens and that someone in my family knows where I am at all times . When I do go to a club to do some dancing , I don 't drink , and I leave well before 1 a .m , which is when people seem to be getting the most drunk and impaired . Again , I try not to attract any risky people by portraying myself as wild . I keep a careful eye on what is going on around me at all times . I can still have fun...