My worst enemy by Angela

My worst enemy by Angela - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

During my first semester of college, I faced one of the most challenging academic experiences of my life: General Chemistry. I had always been a strong student in high school, excelling in subjects like biology and physics. However, when I enrolled in General Chemistry, I quickly realized that it was unlike anything I had encountered before. The material was dense and the course was taught at a fast pace. I struggled to keep up, and my grades on the early exams reflected my difficulty in grasping the material. I felt frustrated and overwhelmed, questioning my ability to succeed in the course.
At first, I attempted to study on my own, relying on the textbook and lecture notes to make sense of the concepts. However, despite my efforts, I found myself confused and unsure about how to apply the theories in practice. I quickly realized that my usual study methods were not going to be sufficient for this level of difficulty. Instead of letting my frustration dictate my success, I decided to take a more proactive approach to overcome these challenges.
The first step I took was to attend my professor's office hours. I had been hesitant to ask for help, thinking that I should be able to figure things out on my own. However, after struggling with several topics, I realized that it was important to seek assistance when needed. During office hours, I was able to ask specific questions about the material I was struggling with, and my professor provided clear, concise explanations that helped clarify some of the more confusing topics. It was in these one-on-one sessions that I truly began to understand how the concepts fit together and how to approach the problems in the course.
In addition to meeting with my professor, I also sought help from my teaching assistant (TA) and attended review sessions. The TA was able to offer more detailed explanations and guide me through practice problems that I found difficult. These additional resources helped reinforce my understanding and gave me the confidence to tackle more complex material. By the end of the semester, I had developed a better grasp of the content and felt more prepared for the exams.
Another crucial step in overcoming the challenges of General Chemistry was improving my study habits. I realized that simply reading the textbook and attending lectures were not enough. I needed to develop a more structured approach to studying. I began to break the material down into smaller, more manageable sections and studied a little each day, instead of cramming the night before exams. I also focused on practicing problems regularly, created a study schedule and committed to consistent, focused study sessions to ensure that I stayed on track.
Finally, I found that collaborating with classmates in study groups was extremely beneficial. We would meet weekly to discuss difficult concepts and work through problems together. Explaining concepts to others helped reinforce my understanding, and I learned different approaches to solving problems that I hadn't considered before. These study sessions not only made the material more manageable but also created a sense of community and support.
By the end of the semester, I had improved significantly in General Chemistry. My grades on subsequent exams and assignments reflected my increased understanding of the material. Through persistence, seeking help when necessary, and adapting my study strategies, I was able to overcome the challenges I faced in the course. This experience taught me valuable lessons about the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and the willingness to ask for help when facing academic challenges.