The time to change is now by Adele

The time to change is now by Adele - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

Last month, a beloved science teacher at my high school passed away due to natural causes. As an Editor-in-Chief of an online news publication, it was my job to lead the staff in writing an article that captured the sadness reverberating through the community and an obituary that celebrated the entirety of his life. By talking to his friends, children, and co-workers, we crafted a multi-paragraph obituary that provided insights into his achievements, hobbies, and personal philosophies. Within a week, our compilation of memories served to beautifully encompass the essence of a former science teacher.

During this time of remembrance, I began to ask myself how I would like to be remembered as a human being in future years. After hours of obituary research, I came to realize that even if I never knew the deceased, I felt most connected to the people whose obituaries characterized the powerful impacts they had made on others. I want to be remembered for similar impacts. Whether I have a brief interaction with a barista at a coffee shop or someone starts their day by reading an article I published, I want to have made a difference.

I am one who tends to push aside the idea of a New Year’s resolution, truly believing that if you would like to change yourself, then there is absolutely nothing stopping you from doing so right now. When I realized the power of framing my life in terms of how I want to be remembered, I began to immediately turn my vague sentiments into reality.

In the act of becoming a person who dreams of differentiation, I will strive to be the best I can be on all fronts, including as a student. As I embark on the long-anticipated graduation year of 2016 with an undetermined future and a meaningful set of experiences from the past, I want to use my passion to succeed. I plan to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way in the last few months as a high school student, so that as a college student, I will have had more meaningful experiences and connections. By framing my world in terms of how I want to be remembered, I am reminded of the need to study, learn, and grow as a student to fulfill my dreams of worthwhile remembrance.