How My Persistence Saved My Grade by Alyssa

How My Persistence Saved My Grade by Alyssa - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

Most people would describe me as a perfectionist - I know that I shouldn't push my limits, but I tend to do so anyways because I want to see how far I can go. I take classes above my grade level, try my best to maintain a 4.0, and participate in several STEM activities to test my mind. I like challenging myself, but sometimes I take on so many responsibilities that I can't possibly complete fulfill all of them.

I found this out the hard way a year or so ago when I checked my grades one Saturday night. I tend to keep an A- average, so I was shocked to see my GPA dropped to a 3.2. I furiously checked my courses and found that my grade in World Geography had dropped from an A to a D. Apparently, I'd failed my eastern Asia geography test and I forgot to turn in an assignment, and both tests and homework counted for a large part of the grade. I realized that although I paid attention in class, I never took time outside of class to study the geography of the region we were assigned, and maybe even thought that I didn't need to. I was in classes a level above my grade and put priorities on those classes and my extracurriculars instead.

I knew that I had to change my attitude. Even if I wasn't the biggest fan of the class, I knew that if my grade dropped in my other classes, my GPA would drop below a B average. Besides, if I failed, I would be left behind in World Geography while my friends took European History. So, I did something I'd rarely done for the class before: I studied day and night. I skipped my clubs to study the geography of the regions, completed mock quizzes, and had my friends test me on the material at lunch. I was persistent on getting higher grades in the class even if I had to sacrifice my enjoyment. I figured that studying more rigorously would prepare me for future AP and college courses either way.

It wasn't easy at all to regain my grade, but slowly, my grade evened out. I got half credit on the assignment I turned in late and I scored higher on tests. I understood my homework quicker and was able to answer questions in class. I felt more confident in my grades and even applied my same studying techniques to the other classes I had B's in. All the while I continued with my schedule, bringing my grade up to an A, studying right up until the semester final.

I felt as if I was melting through the final exam, but I knew my studying had paid off. I was more confident in the final than I was at any other point in the class. Still, I knew my weaknesses, and I waited on edge until I got my final results back. I definitely will relish the moment of accomplishment I felt when my results came back as a "B", leaving my final class grade as an A-.