My Toughest Classes by Angela

My Toughest Classes by Angela - June 2016 Scholarship Essay

When I went to college the first time, I was ready for the experience. I was already fairly responsible and independent. So prioritizing school work over socializing wasn’t a problem for me. I was also taking classes at a pace that I needed for a change. My mind became a sponge, soaking up all the information that I could get my hands on. Soon, I started taking heavier loads each semester and I kept pushing myself to learn more. I had even declared three minors with my degree and was set to graduate in only five years. That was with changing my major twice. I had even gotten married during this time. It was ‘smooth sailing’ and I had everything going for me…until I didn’t.
You see, just after I was married I had taken the four hardest classes for me all in one semester. One was a senior level class and was certainly understandably difficult. Two of them were sophomore classes. Yes, I said sophomore classes. Worst of all was the freshman level language class that I found so difficult. What I didn’t realize is that I was quickly burning myself out up to this point and was about to hit a breaking point with the courses I had chosen to take.
Additionally, I didn’t realize how much being married would affect me. In many ways my mindset and priorities had shifted, and so had my financial aid. I suddenly had to find myself a job. Up to this point in my college career, I had never worked more than 10 hours per week while taking classes. Suddenly, I found myself in a retail job working 20 hours per week. Then, I was asked to stay just a little later, and another day. Before I knew it, I was working 40 hours with the possibility of overtime. I was way over my head. I even went to management to complain. After all, I was told when I took the job that I would not be working more than 20 hours per week. Now I was told that since I did not have that in writing, they did not have to follow it. I was told that they were sorry this was the way things were, but if I still had a problem with my hours “there’s the door”.
I continued to work. After all, I needed the funds. It was also too late to withdraw from the classes I was taking. I was just going to have to adjust my personal schedule in such a way that allowed me to do both until the holidays. That is just what I did. In the end, I received all D’s for the semester. I was disappointed with my grades and myself. I had never received anything below a C and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I couldn’t take a much needed break after such a blow. I didn’t want to take a chance of never finishing what I started.
So, I forged ahead. I took some easier classes for a couple of semesters and found a much better job with fewer hours. It wasn’t a break, but it helped. I was slowly finding my second wind when I took those same courses the following year with renewed vigor. I went to every class. I joined study groups. I got help from a couple of teachers and I went to the writing center for help. I even called in sick to work a couple of times, just to focus on classwork. I was determined to get past the stigma of my D’s in the previous year. I had never worked so hard, and wouldn’t work so hard after that semester. All I could do was done and I was relieved to know it would all pay off. I was even overcome with excitement when I received my grades in the mail. I practically bounced down the hall to my apartment. I ripped the ends off and unfolded the page so fast that it ripped. I looked down at the courses I had taken. They were all F’s.
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I couldn’t stop starring at the F’s on the page. It took a few minutes for the tears to come, but they certainly came. I starred at the grades until I couldn’t see them through the tears. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. It filled me with all sorts of doubt in myself. Not knowing what else to do, I picked myself up and did what I had to do. I kept moving forward. I took easier classes that were somehow related to the harder ones and I focused on going up my mountain in a circular way.
The next year, I took those classes a third time. This time I passed them all. I then finished my schooling, graduating with my degree, three minors, and a newborn baby boy. I learned a lot from this experience. I found an inner strength and determination I didn’t know that I had. I learned that sometimes obstacles in life come in unexpected forms and can seem unsurmountable. I learned that such mountains are easier to climb in a circular fashion, rather than straight up. Finally, I learned that with sheer determination and fortitude, I will overcome all obstacles that enter my path in life.