The Horror Story Turned Around by Alexa

The Horror Story Turned Around by Alexa - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

My most successful academic achievement was my senior year of high school. I have always found myself to excel in writing. My senior year I decided to opt out of English VI and to take Writing and Composition through a college for my last English credits. I knew it was going to be risky because it was a higher level than I had done before, but I was willing and ready to accept the challenge the class would bring me. I took two separate semesters, completing Composition I and Composition II. It was an online class so I did not have to commute three times a week, so I did not have a teacher right there with me. The first assignment was a massive reading and a decent length paper following the reading, due three days after it was assigned. My presumption of the class was very correct, it was a challenge and I was in for a ride I had never taken before. When the end of the semester came around I had to write a lengthy paper, fifteen pages to be exact, and I was sure I was going to do it wrong. Long story short, I wrote seventeen pages, had a teacher look over it after reading the writing assignment and they told me I did it wrong. The day before the paper was do I scrambled to redo my final paper, crossing my fingers I was doing it correct this time, and I did. I turned in my final that day and received an email of my final grade about a week later. I received an A in the class and on my paper.

Needless to say I learned a lesson to read instructions very carefully. I kept that experience in mind as I went onto Composition II the following semester and received an A in that course as well.

Those two courses, and what I like to call my ‘horror story’ from my first semester impacted me to always take my time. I also like to think they impacted the student I am today and the quality of work I am able to do. For if I had decided to stick with English VI in my high school, I never would have had that experience and I never would have learned from that mistake. I also would not have challenged myself or realized what I am capable of. I feel like learning those valuable experiences are a great part of academic achievement, especially my academic achievement.