STEM has always spoken to me. Whether through woodworking, coding, or algebra, it always felt like the right fit. While I might have loved it, I wasn’t always good at it. Even now, as a senior in high school, I struggle with grasping concepts that might seem easy, but since I love the feeling when all the pieces finally click into place, I persist until I understand them.
When I joined the Jacket in the spring of my sophomore year, I was excited to apply my passion to something beyond a class project. However, it wasn’t as easy as I thought it might be. Although I had the qualifications and had learned the key concepts in coding classes, I struggled to apply my knowledge to the website. I guess I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was. I would stare at my computer, utterly confused and unsure where to go next. I couldn’t give up, though. I had committed to Jacket and wanted that feeling when everything came together to make sense. Swallowing my pride, I asked for help. My web editor at the time, Eliot Hertenstein, was the person I turned to. Even though it was terrifying to ask for help, he walked me through the issue I was trying to tackle and helped me solve it. This wasn’t the only time I needed help; I turned to him numerous times when I was struggling and discovered that I would only improve at coding by making mistakes and putting in the effort to learn.
This past summer, I took over the role of web editor along with Nathaniel Brundjar. With Eliot’s help, we undertook the massive project of redesigning the website. This was an incredibly daunting task, and I again found myself overwhelmed and confused. I didn’t let that stop me. After working on my own and coming to some dead ends, I knew I needed to ask for help. So, I contacted Nathaniel and Eliot, and we worked through the issue. Not only did this teach me how to solve the problem if it ever came about again, but it emphasized the support system I had.
During my time at Berkeley High School, I have learned that having people to support you is crucial for success. When tackling large essays or studying for tests, being surrounded by a support network was incredibly helpful. I had people to help me figure out the right word to fit into a sentence or help me unpack a complex math problem. The Jacket taught me that the only way to access this support was by asking for help. This was not always easy; I would have to accept that I was struggling and that the only way forward was with help from others. Like reaching out to Eliot or Nathaniel, I would go to my teachers or get tutoring until I understood the concept.
While I might be done with high school, I am not done asking for help and support. I know that throughout college and even beyond, I will reach out to my mentors like I did with Eliot and ask how to fix a problem, because if he taught me anything, it would be that the most crucial skill is to ask for help and learn from your mistakes. I am so grateful for all of the skills and friends the Jacket has brought me. So, if you are scared to do something or feel stuck, ask for help, rely on the people around you, and you will figure it out.