Enthusiasm by Cassandra

Enthusiasm by Cassandra - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” the colorful sign in my Advanced Placement United States History classroom is forever etched into my mind. It was one thing to have motivating signs around a classroom, but it was quite another thing to live life by those signs. This was one of the many features that shocked me about my junior year History teacher.
During a school year that contained so much stress: visiting colleges, taking standardized tests and advanced classes, having increased responsibility in athletics, my sixth period History class served as a much needed reprieve. Of course, the advanced class was no walk in the park, but there was an enthusiasm that seemed almost palpable in the classroom. My teacher was genuinely excited about every aspect of the subject, and my classmates and I soon found that this excitement was contagious.
About halfway through the school year, the time came to decide on classes to enroll in for senior year. Because my History teacher was also the Vice Principal, I sought her advice regarding my schedule. I was torn between taking an academic course that seemed fascinating and taking an advanced course that did not really interest me. I thought my teacher would tell me that the advanced course would look better on my future college applications. To my surprise, however, she simply asked which class I thought I would enjoy more. She dismissed my theory that colleges would prefer to see more advanced classes and urged me to take the class that I would look forward to attending. Little did I know how much of an affect this advice would have.
The next year, I sat in my chosen class and loved every second of it. I was accepted into my first choice college, despite not taking that advanced course. This class inspired me to change my planned college major and even my thoughts about a future career. When I met with my now former History teacher to tell her the good news, she simply smiled and nodded to her infamous sign. She knew how valuable enthusiasm was to realizing goals, and in her own subtle way she taught me that lesson as well. Now, I look forward to my college schedule, crafted around what I am interested in, not what I think will impress future employers. But most importantly, I am enthusiastic to learn and truly believe I can accomplish something great because of this.