Peer Pressure
Peer pressure has always played a crucial part in my life. I have experienced both positive and negative pressures from friends and family. At early age, I was taught that when your friends pressure you to do something bad, you should not do it. Hence, after I entered high school, I knew that several people might influence me to go on the wrong path, but I also knew that school should always be my priority. For example, others might try to persuade me to take drugs and alcohol, or go to parties, which would ultimately affect my education in a negative way. Therefore, I was determined to not fall for peer pressure. I kept my determination solid until I reached 11th grade when one of my friend pressured me to attend a wild party.
I felt that people in my high school cared less about education than they did about fitting in with other people. There was some sort of popularity contest among all students because every student was pressured to be cool. I also had a lot of friends, but having a lot of friends also meant being vulnerable to those friends who may influence you to do bad things. In 11th grade, I made a friend named Jack. He was in my AP Chemistry class, and was very smart and popular. One day he asked me to attend one of his parties on a Friday night. I usually don’t go to parties because I believe that parties could become a huge distraction to my schoolwork due to drugs, alcohol, etc. Nonetheless, I went to Jack’s party because I knew that someone as smart as Jack could not host a wild party with drugs, or any illicit products. However, Jack’s party was a perfect example of the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Jack invited at least 60-70 people to his house party, and the scene of his house was nothing but wild with people smoking and drinking everywhere. I was so disturbed by the scene that I decided to leave his house immediately. As I was about to leave, Jack stopped me and asked me why I was leaving, and also offered me a cigarette. I clearly told him that the only reason I came to his party is because I thought that both him and I could have a good time. However, after seeing underage drinking and smoking, I was very shocked to realize that someone as smart as Jack could host such a party. Hence, I didn’t talk to him afterwards because I knew that Jack could become a bad influence on my schoolwork. The reason for that is that his influence could get me addicted to smoking, which would ultimately make me less motivated towards my educational goals.
My story gives a clear point that some people might have a very appealing personality, but they may also use peer pressure to force you to go on a wrong path. This essay should be perceived as a guide to make readers aware that people should avoid focusing on the quantity of friends and instead focus on having great quality of friends. Today, before I make any friend, I make sure that they are nice, drug-fee, and smart because good friends are a part of life that are very crucial in showing you the right path.
I felt that people in my high school cared less about education than they did about fitting in with other people. There was some sort of popularity contest among all students because every student was pressured to be cool. I also had a lot of friends, but having a lot of friends also meant being vulnerable to those friends who may influence you to do bad things. In 11th grade, I made a friend named Jack. He was in my AP Chemistry class, and was very smart and popular. One day he asked me to attend one of his parties on a Friday night. I usually don’t go to parties because I believe that parties could become a huge distraction to my schoolwork due to drugs, alcohol, etc. Nonetheless, I went to Jack’s party because I knew that someone as smart as Jack could not host a wild party with drugs, or any illicit products. However, Jack’s party was a perfect example of the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Jack invited at least 60-70 people to his house party, and the scene of his house was nothing but wild with people smoking and drinking everywhere. I was so disturbed by the scene that I decided to leave his house immediately. As I was about to leave, Jack stopped me and asked me why I was leaving, and also offered me a cigarette. I clearly told him that the only reason I came to his party is because I thought that both him and I could have a good time. However, after seeing underage drinking and smoking, I was very shocked to realize that someone as smart as Jack could host such a party. Hence, I didn’t talk to him afterwards because I knew that Jack could become a bad influence on my schoolwork. The reason for that is that his influence could get me addicted to smoking, which would ultimately make me less motivated towards my educational goals.
My story gives a clear point that some people might have a very appealing personality, but they may also use peer pressure to force you to go on a wrong path. This essay should be perceived as a guide to make readers aware that people should avoid focusing on the quantity of friends and instead focus on having great quality of friends. Today, before I make any friend, I make sure that they are nice, drug-fee, and smart because good friends are a part of life that are very crucial in showing you the right path.
External Text:
I have included an infographic "Science of Peer Pressure" by Column Five Media that depicts the scientific perspective of Peer Pressure. This graphic also gives useful tips on how to tackle Peer Pressure
by Column Five Media.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.