Abundantly Blessed by Aryn

Abundantly Blessed by Aryn - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

As Americans, we are blessed with an abundant amount of education. I know in my own life I have been blessed abundantly through my education and the opportunities that I have been given by it. I am the most thankful for having the opportunity to attend college classes as a high school student.
As a high school senior, the most important one to me is having the opportunity to be concurrently enrolled in two college classes at my high school’s expense. Having the opportunity to further my education to a higher level while still being in high school has taught me many things. This experience has taught me to think on my own. It has prepared me for what I will endure on campus at a university. It has also helped me to overcome my shyness and to act without the help of my parents.
This opportunity has given me the chance to begin to think on my own. Up until now I have always known people in my class and have always gone to them for anything I needed. But now since I am in a class with complete strangers, I have to solve problems on my own. This has taught me the valuable skill of thinking outside the box and completing tasks on my own.
Another valuable aspect of this experience is that it is preparing me mentally and physically for life on a university campus. Having to interact with older students has taught me communication skills. This experience has taught me to manage my time so when I do move off to college I will not become overwhelmed by all the activities to keep track of. It has also given me a taste of what assignments in college classes consists of on a smaller level. The assignments in college are nothing like high school. Professors do not hold students accountable. Studying is a must, “winging it” is not an option. The environment is completely different, and there are no “blow off” classes. Everything that happens in college affects the future.
The biggest change that I have experienced is being taken out of my comfort zone. until this year I have been shy and have always had my parents do the “grown up” things for me, . Now that I am enrolled in two college classes, I do things that take me out of my comfort zone every day. In English 1113, I participate in group work almost every day. Talking to strangers is something that I have never wanted to do, but since I am made to do it, it has helped me to overcome shyness and meet new people.
Through this experience I have grown up so much, I have been taken out of my comfort zone countless times, and I have been equipped to successfully manage my time on my own. I am very thankful for this experience and all that it has taught me. Out of my entire education at Dickson High School, this is what I will cherish the most.