Resolution of Resources by Allison

Resolution of Resources by Allison - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

My 2016 New Year’s resolution is to start utilizing all of the resources provided to me. I just completed my first semester of college as physical therapy student in a six year doctoral program. Needless to say, the program is intense as it crunches eight years of learning into a compact form. Although I easily excelled in high school, the transition into college education and environment hit me like a brick. My class size more than tripled, taking away the one on one aspect I had grown accustomed to learning in. Professors do not seek out students if a problem arises. Homework is no longer simple book questions or worksheets. Instead, assignments include reading, often ahead of the current class material, and to begin studying weeks in advance for upcoming exams. All responsibilities are pushed onto the students, which becomes even more difficult because guardians are no longer there to help them succeed.
Over the course of my first semester, I did fairly well. But that does not mean I am completely satisfied with my progress. I know I can do better; I want to do better. Now, I realize that there were ways I could have gone the extra mile in order to do so. That is the reason why next semester, and for all semesters to follow, I resolve to begin to take better advantage of the resources and opportunities available to me. In order to achieve better grades, I will begin to regularly attend professor’s officer hours—not just when I feel I am lost on material as I have been doing. Professors are always more than willing to help review and further explain information; I need to start scheduling specific times into my week in order to utilize them. Additionally, I will attend the review sessions offered by professors prior to exams to become better prepared. The academic success center also offers free peer tutoring in every subject and a writing center that will revise and edit any paper. These resources can help me understand material on a deeper level and help me improve my graded class assignments.
Despite popular belief, being a good student does not always simply mean doing well academically. The ultimate goal of striving for higher education is to become a better, more well rounded learner. At college, there are endless opportunities to get involved. I love the clubs and organization I am currently apart of, but next semester I want to try to get involved in a slightly different way. My goal is to join at least one new thing that challenges my comfort zone and expands my horizons. I do not want to be stuck inside the walls I build around myself forever. There is no better time to start breaking down the barriers down than now and diving head first into new experiences.
In 2016, I hope to become a better student by achieving my New Year’s resolution. Working with professors and the academic success center can help me earn my desired grades and fully understand information. Since learning is not limited to the classroom, pushing myself to take a chance and be adventurous can open my eyes to the world in a different light.