For me, one thing I noticed to be significant during this time was, I started puberty at a young age. I felt slightly outcasted from my friends and battled self-esteem.

For me, a big social transition in my life was graduating a very small high school, and going to college. I remember when I first came to Lourdes, I felt overwhelmed. it was a whole new reality for me and a new responsibility. And, I remember feeling excited, but very nervous about this new reality. Since I graduated from such a small high school, I wasn't used to large crowds of people and new social dynamics, so it was the birth of a whole new beginning for me.

Authoritative, authoritarian, neglectful, and indulgent.

For me growing up, I think I lived in a mix of all of these things. While I was in middle and high school, there were some rules on what time we needed to at least be upstairs and in our rooms for bed, however, it was not reinforced. My parents weren't very strict, but when they were, they were very demanding and unwilling to compromise. from time to time, they would make us turn our phones in at 9:30, so that we would go to bed on time but it only lasted for two weeks.

However, I have always been very open with my parents and have felt that I could come to them with pretty much anything.

When reflecting on my adolescent years, I remember having a wide range of friends. I really never had a set friend group because I was always involving myself with other people. However, I did find myself for the majority of my time hanging out with the same small handful of people that I would always fall back on and was the closest with. In grade school, I had a huge group of friends from all over the school and would socialize with almost anyone. However, once I got into middle and high school, my friend group started to dramatically shorten and I did not talk to a lot of people. I think this happens because as you age, I think you start to pick up on who truly are your friends and who you really care about having in your life versus several people. Your adolescence is a time period of growth and change, so you tend to grow out of older friend groups and mentalities.

Likewise, throughout my education, I had an IEP since 4th or 5th grade. I was always a "slow processor" and could not keep up with my comprehension of the materials, like my peers. I was always pulled from class and taken to the "little rooms" where I did most of my school work and tests with only 5 other students. While it was for my benefit and helped me with my education tremendously, there was always a reputation around the little room, and that is when I started to notice more bullying.

1. Adolescents often seek part-time jobs to earn their own money. This helps them learn financial responsibility and independence, as well as the value of money.

1. Skill Development: Working during adolescence allows individuals to gain valuable skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential for future career success.

2. Career Exploration: Part-time jobs or internships provide adolescents with the opportunity to explore different career paths and industries, helping them make more informed decisions about their future careers.

3. Sense of Responsibility: Having a job instills a sense of responsibility and accountability in adolescents, as they learn to meet work expectations, manage their time effectively, and fulfill their duties.

4. Socialization: Workplaces provide adolescents with opportunities to interact with people of different ages, backgrounds, and perspectives, helping them develop social skills and expand their networks.

I began my work history around the age of 12. I began babysitting and pretty much babysat most of my middle and high school career. I also did a cleaning company job with one of my friends towards the end of high school. Because I was constantly moving around and doing something, I was able to socialize with others and become more extroverted. I did not normally talk to a lot of people; however, the more I started to babysit and clean houses, the more acclimated I became.

The pursuit of autonomy may lead teenagers to engage in activities such as spending time with friends, pursuing personal interests, and making decisions about their education and future goals. Intimacy, on the other hand, involves the ability to form close, meaningful connections with others, including friends, family members, and romantic partners. Adolescents often experience a strong desire for intimacy as they seek emotional support, validation, and understanding from their peers and romantic interests.

Developing intimacy requires teenagers to navigate complex emotions, communicate effectively, and establish trust and mutual respect in their relationships. Balancing autonomy and intimacy in adolescence can be challenging, as teenagers strive to assert their independence while also seeking close connections with others. Healthy relationships during adolescence foster both autonomy and intimacy, allowing teenagers to maintain their individuality while also experiencing the emotional fulfillment that comes from close, supportive connections.

Ultimately, the development of autonomy and intimacy during adolescence lays the foundation for healthy adult relationships and emotional well-being.