Title: An Athlete's Purpose: Motivation & Focus Towards Physical Therapy by Amber

Title: An Athlete's Purpose: Motivation & Focus Towards Physical Therapy by Amber - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Amber Bryant, an eager student and rising freshman majoring in Kinesiology/Physical Therapy at the University of The Ozarks. I am absolutely thrilled to be submitting an entry for the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been physically active, passionate about sports, and the collective sense of teamwork and camaraderie they foster. Being an athlete has not only shaped my character but has also provided a unique perspective on the physicality of human life, consequently imparting a deep-seated impetus to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Throughout my time as an athlete, I have been a firsthand witness to the anguish of people close to me, slowly losing hope, drowned in the waves of physical suffering and mental agony. I want to be a beacon that guides them back to their regular lives, instilling hope and strength within their hearts through the means of physical therapy. This passion to contribute positively to the lives of those affected has motivated me to persistently pursue my academic goals. I work hard in the classroom with a refreshing curiosity and profound respect for our wondrously complex bodily mechanisms; I am fascinated by the promise that Kinesiology holds in empowering the human spirit by healing the human body.

When days become strenuous and academic demands escalate, focusing my mind can indeed be vexing. However, an image invariably surfaces in my head - it is of my friends, their unfulfilled dreams, and their despair during the post-injury rehabilitation process. My thoughts invariably return to those who were once passionate about their game, but their dreams were thwarted by unforeseen injuries. Remembering their plights provides me with a recharged strength and renewed vigor. This intensely personal motivation is my compass, guiding me through the labyrinth of academia, keeping me unabatingly focused on my final destination- a successful career in physical therapy creating meaningful positive impacts.

I am consistently motivated to work diligently to excel in my studies as I genuinely crave knowledge; my high school GPA of 3.9 is a testament to my dedication to academic excellence.

As a young woman entering college, I am aware of the demanding journey that lies ahead. Nonetheless, I am confident that my academic dedication, combined with a robust motivation to alleviate the suffering of the injured, will help me achieve my career aspirations. I believe walking this chosen path tailored to my passion, a recipient of the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship, will be a robust foothold in my future endeavors and I am prepared to seize any opportunity that would bring me closer to my vision.

In the end, I want to look back at my career as a physical therapist and feel a profound sense of fulfillment knowing that I started my journey from a place of empathy, harbored and nurtured it throughout, that in turn, contributed to making the world a better place, one patient at a time.