“Note to Sixth-Grade Self” is a coming-of-age story in which the narrator comes to realize how, even though people may show sympathy, one can only rely on oneself for strength and confidence. This is an important concept for the narrator to learn because in the future she will continually be disappointed that others will not help her in times of need. The narrator initially gives in to what the bullies want, when her bully trips her, but she learns from that experience through her bullies tricking her at the mall and Eric's statement that people don't always they will support. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the story, it is clear that the narrator does not stand up for herself when she is being bullied. In a fit of jealousy, one of the narrator's bullies, Cara, intentionally trips the narrator. She “falls and sprains her wrist. [His] glasses will fly off and break in two…They will lie motionless for a moment in the trampled clover” (82). The narrator lies there, waiting for someone to point out Cara's clear wrongdoings, but no one ever does. The narrator almost starts crying because she is shocked that someone would brutally harm her and that no one even helps her. The narrator begins to understand that she is giving her bullies exactly what they want, to make her appear helpless, and that most people will not defend her. The turning point for the narrator is when she finally comes to the conclusion that she can only rely on herself and have strength. To apologize for tripping the narrator, Cara and Patricia invite her to go to the mall with them. What seems like a kind gesture turns out to be a bad joke. Upon arriving at the mall, the narrator waits for Cara and Patricia to show up, but they never do. The narrator comes to the conclusion that this is a bad joke. He consoles himself by saying that he is in “Uptown Square with [his] mother's credit card” (84). When Cara had mercilessly tripped her a few days earlier, the narrator lay helpless, waiting for the others to come to her aid. Learning from his previous mistake, he doesn't do the same at the mall. Understanding from past experiences that others will not help him, the narrator decides to turn a previously negative experience into a positive one. He has the perfect opportunity to have some fun since he is at the mall and has his mother's credit card. The narrator does so, affirming his newfound strength and confidence.