Don't Do It All by Ana Grace

Don't Do It All by Ana Grace - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

Nowadays, New Year’s resolutions go unfulfilled, especially for individuals who lack the motivation to change themselves positively. As a student, it is essential that I achieve my New Year’s resolution: don’t do it all. Although a resume embellished with a lengthy list of clubs and organizations participated in may seem impressive, it is not practical. Rather, one should focus on a few essential activities and excel in them than join every sport and club that exists in the school. Concentrating on a small handful of extracurriculars exhibits commitment and lessens stress. As a college student, commitment and minimal stress are a luxury! Possessing these two will allow me to become a better student as a college freshman.
I entered high school aiming to join every club in my school with the expectation that I could be equally and actively involved, and ultimately be an officer in each one. Unfortunately however, it was difficult to keep up with each club meeting and regularly attend events. Although I am currently a senior, I still attempted to join clubs at the last minute with the hopes that maybe I can expand my resume before I began applying to colleges. Expectedly, my attendance for these newly-joined clubs dropped as I prioritized other clubs that I valued. I missed photography club meetings because I needed to attend Interact Club meetings; I missed art club meetings for Key Club officer meetings; and I missed Drama club meetings for Yearbook staff meetings. But, now that it is a New Year, I hope that I can deviate from my high school expectations when I attend college.
Focusing on only a few activities and organizations will not only minimize the stress that I will surely endure, but it also reveals commitment. Stress is a major factor in a student’s health that prevents him/her from reaching their full potential. Likewise, active involvement in a small amount of extracurriculars exhibit commitment and responsibility that employers and interviewers look for in an applicant or candidate. As an upcoming college freshman these two entities are rare to achieve as it will be my first year in a new school and a new environment.
Despite the temptation of joining all the clubs that exist in the school, I hope that I will stay motivated in order to become an improved student during my freshman year of college.