Mermories+of+feeling+different

There have been many times I have felt misplaces, weird or different. For example, I can still remember being misplaced on my first day of Epstein School, my first day of Camp Tevya or even when I started at my Tennis Academy. The most vivid experience was my most recent memory, starting at my Tennis Academy.

In early August of 6th grade I had gotten home from school around 4:00. As usual, I went to see my mother who was either on a conferences call or working. To my surprise, my mother was waiting for me. She told me I would be going to a new tennis place today. I had gotten ready, and then left for the 4:30 drills there. As I walked through the gate to the tennis courts, I could already feel the butterflies in my stomach. All the kids looked amazing, and I wasn’t really too good. I was soon put in a group with six kids, and one coach. As we began hitting, I could feel the eyes watching me as I hit. By the end of drills, it was time for me to see if I had gotten into the Academy. I was not accepted, and was asked to have three months of private lessons. Three months later, I again walked through the same gate yet, with more confidence. I was evaluated again and was accepted. I was very proud of myself, and could tell how surprised the coaches were on my improvements.

If I could have experienced this memory again, I would change how I was hitting and would try not to be nervous. The one thing I would not change is the fun I had at that drill and what I learned to improve my strokes. In that one drill, I had learned to hit a backhand. I was originally horrible at backhands, but now they are my best shot. The reason I would change being nervous is because when you’re nervous you hitting is worse, and my peers could see I didn’t hit the best that day.

To cope with this situation better, I could have been more positive about my tennis experience, and not let my nervousness let me down. If I had seen the kids walk in, and say I am as good as them, I could of have maybe gotten into the Academy the first time. The advice I have to my peers is to never let first impression take control, and never be nervous in a situation you have experienced before.

-Elana A.