It is very important that teenagers slowly adapt to an independent nature. Though no man is an island, we shouldn’t get used to being spoon fed all the time. We should try to figure out the solution to our problems on our own first, and then seek help from family and friends after we have given it a try.  I remember how weak I was in Mathematics. I never calculated anything on my own, reason being I was falsely convinced that I couldn’t solve the calculations, hence, relying on other people’s work. The point is I was neither weak nor daft; I simply had no confidence in myself and believed I had to depend on others to get through an exam. However, the time came when I had to move on and stop relying on others. I called it a journey to self-reliance and sure, the journey was tough, but hard work, dedication and commitment made it to success. I discovered that the secret to passing Mathematics was to study harder, inquire where things were unclear and above all, believe in myself.My basic principle now is to always give it a try before consulting others. I never let go of anything before giving it a try. It gives me a great sense of freedom, a feeling of independence. Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom and being one’s own person is its ultimate reward, goes a quote I read by Patricia Sampson. Teenagers should strive to be independent. Yes, we all need a little help sometimes but let us try to get that help after we have tried helping ourselves first. Sitting around waiting to be spoon-fed all the time just isn’t acceptable.