The College Experience I Will be Most Thankful for and why by Brenden

The College Experience I Will be Most Thankful for and why by Brenden - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

As you walk into high school teachers want to set you up for success as you continue your education. This is also the point when I heard the word college and realized it is not that far away. At college visits and through research on the schools I realized that college is a lot more than four more years of schooling. There are many opportunities and experiences that I will have and be thankful for throughout my college career. The college experience I will be most thankful for is the people I will meet and the relationships I will form.

Sometimes it can be hard to meet new people but college makes it very easy with all the events and activities going on at the campus whether it is a club, sport, internship, or volunteer work. I will have the chance to join something I am passionate about and meet people with similar interests. College will give me opportunities that I would not otherwise have and will make me feel like a part of something bigger. It is great to know I can join sports teams and it can be as competitive or laid-back as I want and that I can meet new people in clubs whether it is in fashion, business or other areas I am interested in. Many people I meet in college will be there for me during tough times throughout my life. As an example, going into high school was not easy for me at first, but I formed relationships with peers, teachers, and other faculty who helped me get through struggles like picking classes, studying for tests and helping me find resources to benefit my personal growth and academic success.

Interacting with people helps develop social skills which is beneficial. In high school I played soccer which was a great experience to be part of a team and work together. I am also part of the Senior Student Council, which is an opportunity to help get other people involved in our school, showing school spirit, and putting on events like homecoming and prom. I have volunteered for different organizations including captain of a Relay for Life team. This experience is one of my favorite, where the community comes together and raises money to help fund research for the American Cancer Society.

In all the things I got involved in. I learned how easy it is to be a part of a bigger picture and build bonds. I feel all of these things and the people I met helped shape who I am and helped me to become more outgoing and independent at the same time. Social interactions are a large part of most jobs like making calls, writing e-mails, giving presentations, or working on group projects. The more interactions I have with professors, students, and other adults and other peers through classes, organizations, clubs or sports the more prepared I will be for life after college. Forming connections with people in different areas helps to see other people’s point of views and be respectful of them, learn how to deal with conflict and problem solve to come up with solutions, which all gives you an advantage with many careers or fields. To have the opportunity to form more relationships, while enhancing my social skills throughout my college experience will help me continue to contribute positively to society. Not to mention the lifelong friendships and avenues for networking I will have.