Step Up My Game by Avery

Step Up My Game by Avery - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

“Shaking in your boots” is a phrase used by some people when referring to how nervous they were doing something out of their comfort zone. Many “shake in their boots” for a lot of different reasons, class presentations, taking a test, talking to a teacher, etc. For me, my moment was sophomore year when I chose classes to participate in junior year.
Freshman year, I partook in the regular college prep classes, apart from honors Spanish. I ended Freshman year being remote due to the covid pandemic so when I chose classes for Sophomore year, I continued the same college prep courses. However, as Sophomore year ended, I noticed a change in myself. I was more confident with how high school operated and made the decision to step up my game when it came to the classes I chose for Junior year. Instead of participating in college prep classes, I reached out to my History and English teacher and explained to them I wanted to take Honors classes in those two subjects. They both expressed to me they did not think it was a good idea due to more classwork, but I was hard pressed to show colleges I could take it on.
The end of August 2021, Junior year started. This was my “shaking in my boots” moment. Did I make the best decision for myself when choosing these honors classes? Was I going to be able to take on the extra work that came along with them? At first, I was a little overwhelmed and felt I made the wrong decision, yet I remained with those classes and was proud of the grade I received at the end of the year; Honors U.S. History A- and Honors American Literature B-. Now, Senior year starts in a couple weeks and the first semester I decided to up my game once again. I am enrolled in AP classes this upcoming year. Bring on graduation.