There Is A Light That (Sometimes) Goes Out by Carla

There Is A Light That (Sometimes) Goes Out by Carla - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

One more word… Just one more hour… After so many failed attempts to go to bed at a reasonable hour, I would just give in to the artificial light of my computer screen. Unfortunately, the screen’s brightness was never comparable to the rays of sunlight poking out from behind the skyscrapers that surrounded me. Those rays were a reminder that I was not prepared for the day ahead. I have seen the sun set and rise one too many times in the city that supposedly never sleeps, while frantically trying to complete my assignments. When there are immense amounts of pressure on you to make A’s, score internships, make money, get involved in extracurriculars, etc. you convince yourself that there is no need for sleep.
When sophomore year of college rolled around, sitting in libraries until the sun came up was no longer an option. Honestly, I wanted to sleep for a year, but life would not allow it. I had to keep going. A few weeks into the fall of my second year however, my fuse had finally blown out. The lightbulbs that are never put out do not last nearly as long as those that are. This was my wake up call! As the spring of junior year creeps up on me, I must not fall into the trap of staying up to “get things done.” I will only find myself unproductive, just minutes after my body cries out for the desire to rest. This year, I will not live by the stereotype that college students never sleep before midnight. No, I want to be the early bird that sees daybreak on a full tank of energy!