Title: When Your School Rewards Reflect More Than Academic Achievement
In a recent graduation ceremony, I experienced an unexpected moment that made me reflect on perceptions and labels assigned by institutions. As part of the tradition, our school handed out awards recognizing students’ accomplishments, often accompanied by personalized gifts such as books or practical items. For example, a student headed to France for university received a travel guide for Paris, while others received subject-specific books or fun accessories.
However, I was surprised—and somewhat taken aback—when I received the “Anxiety Therapy Journal” as my award. It felt a bit awkward, especially since I’m already engaged in therapy, and the journal’s prompts—like “What color does your stress feel like?” or “List ten things you’re grateful for”—felt a little personal for an awards ceremony. From my observations, no other recipient received something quite so tailored to mental health or emotional well-being.
While I appreciate the gesture—albeit somewhat unconventional—I couldn’t help but feel a bit overlooked. Is this how others see me? Is that the message my teachers and peers collectively sent? It’s intriguing how awards meant to celebrate academic or extracurricular success can sometimes inadvertently reinforce perceptions about our personalities or struggles.
This experience served as a reminder that the symbols we’re given can carry unintended messages. It’s important to recognize and challenge these labels, ensuring they reflect our true identities rather than simplistic judgments.