Essay On Identity Archetypes

2. Many students today consider themselves to be multidimensional, but media portrayals of high school are full of identity archetypes (e.g. the nerd, the jock, the rebel, etc.). Reflecting on your high school experience, would you say you identify with one of these? If so, why and why do you embrace it? If not, why not?

While high school students are multidimensional, there is a bit of truth behind each stereotype. For example, if my life were a television show I would be the nerd. I always do my homework, I'm in the honors program at my school, I worked part-time at a bookstore, I get good grades, participate in too many activities, I love Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings (and frequently quote both), and stress about each of these things. However I have more layers to me than a two-dimensional television character. For instance, I also play a varsity sport and I enjoy dancing - ballet and jazz. Further, I have been elected to the student government each year and currently am the student government's vice president. Finally, I am outgoing and social; I have a large group of friends and am …show more content…
One friend, for example, I often simply categorize as a jock because she is super athletic. In the long run though, she is so much more than that as she also loves playing with animals, shopping, and getting dressed up. However I try not to categorize people because I can remember a time that I was consumed by my archetype. Back in elementary and middle school (when I did have glasses, braces, and generally messy hair), people did categorize me as a nerd. Instead of trying to change their perception of me, I embraced it. I was actually known as "the quiet one" for the longest time. This little nerd is a part of me that I can never, nor do I want to ever, shake off. Now I am not an archetype, but rather a multidimensional teenager with a lot to offer Elon