Normalcy by Sara
Sara's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest
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Normalcy by Sara - October 2025 Scholarship Essay
Uncle Adam in A Corner of the Universe taught me a lesson I didn’t expect: that being different isn’t something to hide or be ashamed of—it’s something to understand and respect. Before reading the book, I think I had a pretty limited view of what “normal” meant. I didn’t realize how much society pressures people to fit into certain boxes, and how painful that can be for someone who doesn’t.
Watching Hattie get to know Uncle Adam really opened my eyes. At first, she’s confused and even a little uncomfortable around him, just like I probably would’ve been. But as she spends time with him, she starts to see how smart, funny, and kind he is. He’s not just “the guy with a mental illness”—he’s a whole person with feelings, dreams, and a unique way of seeing the world. That made me think about how often people are judged by labels instead of who they really are.
The biggest lesson for me was about empathy. Uncle Adam’s story shows how important it is to listen, to be patient, and to try to understand someone else’s experience—even if it’s totally different from your own. It also made me realize how damaging it is when people are excluded or treated like they don’t belong. That kind of isolation can hurt more than the actual condition someone has.
After reading the book, I started paying more attention to how I treat people who seem “different.” Whether it’s someone with a disability, someone who acts or thinks differently, or just someone who doesn’t fit in, I try to be more open-minded and kind. Uncle Adam taught me that everyone deserves to be seen and heard—not just the people who fit into society’s idea of “normal.” That’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for life