What I Wrote For My TSI Essay

So I went and took my TSI placement test for college today.
To my knowledge I was only being tested on Reading, Writing and Math... well.

After the Writing portion I was anticipating the Math section to be next.
Instead I see a paragraph about how "we're taught that it's good to get along and fit in" and then it was followed by (in layman's terms):

"Is it more valuable for people to fit in than to be unique and different? Write an essay (300-600 words)"

Great.

Luckily I have strong opinions on this so it was easy. I just treated it like a blog post (but as if Mrs. Engler was going to be grading it) and started typing away.
I might not get everything down as I wrote it exactly... but I will do my best to recreate my TSI Essay for 2018.

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It wasn't until this past year that I realized that there are going to be people that aren't going to like me. On the other hand, there are also going to be people who I don't particularly like either. While my parents did teach me both of these things, they also taught me to be accepting and kind to everyone, even if they aren't my cup of tea. 

Relationships are important. Whether it's friendships that last forever, or they're the kind of friendships that are in the work place or school. We need those kind of relationships to survive. Humans weren't meant to be alone living in seclusion. However, it is important to not lose oneself by conforming or compromising ones self into what people expect or want. Whatever makes someone unique is part of who they are as individuals. I, or anyone for that matter, shouldn't feel forced into changing that thing about myself to fit in to a group of people, no matter who they are. People are either going to be accepting, or they aren't.

What is it that makes someone unique? For me, as and example, my eyes are two different colors. Growing up, there wasn't anyone else in the school like me, which I took some pride in. There were some kids that would make fun of me because of my eyes. Even as a kid I knew that those weren't the kind of people that I needed fit in with. It was obvious they didn't like me, and I wasn't going to waste my energy on trying to please them. Fitting in has its place, but I believe staying unique, different and one's authentic self is more important.

In conclusion, a person doesn't need to be friends with everyone they meet, or fit in with every group they come into contact with. It's always important to be kind to everyone. In the words of Dr Seuss, "those who mind won't matter, and those who matter won't mind."