My most difficult period of life was in secondary school. In contrast, primary school seemed so carefree and innocent; all you had to look forward to was going to school and playing with your friends. Having said that, I made some really great friends during my time in secondary school, but regrettably, my academic standing placed me in a far lower class. Peers who didn't want to go to school were the ones who made my time there intolerable. I was heartbroken that I couldn't have the same level of confidence as my friends in my primary school class. My confidence was severely damaged and I became an easy target because I was too afraid to speak up. I tried everything to make my time easier, but I never succeeded, and the bullying significantly affected my academic performance. I made an effort to talk to a few teachers, but it didn't seem like it made a difference. Even though, in retrospect, I realize that I should have said more because I didn't want the bullying to worsen my already damaged confidence. What kept me going outside of class was my friends. I believe that my confidence issues from my school years persist even after fifteen years. I made the decision to apply to my local college's Counseling Studies program, and I eventually finished levels 1, 2, and 3. With the knowledge and expertise I had gained from the courses, I wanted to be able to help others who might have faced comparable difficulties. We learned a lot about self-awareness in the course, which can aid in developing empathy when listening to others. I was gaining more knowledge about the person I am now.