— Arya Choudhury (Year: 10)

Life as a teenager is a mix of excitement, challenges, and discovery. It’s the stage where you start to figure out who you are, while balancing school, friendships, family, and personal goals. Growing up comes with new responsibilities and pressures, but it also brings freedom and opportunities to explore your interests and passions. Every day feels like a step closer to adulthood, yet there’s still a sense of curiosity and learning as you navigate the changes that come with being a teenager.

Still paving my way through life, I often think about who I want to become and what I truly stand for a lifelong journey that begins now. Being a teenager is a unique and special stage, yet it is often misunderstood. Society sometimes frowns upon teenagers, seeing us as caught in the “grey area,” no longer children but not quite adults. In this in-between stage, we are exploring new paths, letting go of parts of our childhood, and testing our independence. While it can be challenging to discover who we are and what we value, it is also an exciting time of growth and self-discovery.

Personally, I’m conflicted about who I want to be and what I want to do in future. For much of my life, I believed a meaningful existence followed a simple path, work a 9–5 job, get married, raise children, and eventually fade quietly into the sunset. But as I grow older, I’m beginning to see life in a broader way. I’m learning that true meaning comes from making a difference and contributing to society in ways that matter. I no longer aspire to just have a job, I want a career that reflects who I am, one that aligns with my values, passions, and identity. I want a career that allows me to express myself while also helping me build the kind of life I truly envision.

I’ve learnt so much from my parents, grandparents, teachers, and even from celebrities, whose words inspire me. I’ve heard countless quotes about what success means and how winners are made, and they’ve shaped the way I see myself. Throughout my short high school journey, I’ve faced both highs and lows in my studies and sports, but each experience has taught me more about who I am and what I’m capable of. Quotes guide me because they serve as reminders of the person I want to become.

Growing up, one of the biggest challenges I faced was being Indian in Australia. I often felt the weight of silent judgment, as though I started life behind the starting line and was always trying to catch up. For a long time, I didn’t address those feelings. But as I began making a greater effort to embrace my roots, I discovered the richness and strength in my identity. Instead of something to hide, I realized it was something to celebrate. Today, I am honoured and proud to wear the badge of being Indian-Australian, carrying both cultures with pride every day.