Solutions to Academic Challenges by Catherine

Solutions to Academic Challenges by Catherine - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

Academic challenges are what make schools competitive, but how a student handles those situations is what separates him or her from others. I have had my fair share of academic challenges. Some I rebounded quickly from while with others, it took me some more time to recover.
There was a time, my senior year of high school to be exact, where I found myself in over my head. I had decided to take a challenging course load which included 2 Advanced Placement classes. I took AP Chemistry and AP Calculus within the same year, and it was my hardest academic year. On top of the two AP classes, I had a few other classes I was enrolled in, I was on the varsity soccer team, I was a part of the drama club, and I attended regular dance classes. I was stressed to say the least. I also had learned a hard lesson the previous fall when this kind of overwhelming lifestyle had caused me to become sick with pneumonia. I knew I needed to balance all of my activities with rest and healthy habits so I wouldn't fall behind due to illness again. About half way into senior year, my grades began to slip. I was tired all the time, lacked motivation, and just could not manage my time well. After a few weeks of feeling discouraged and frustrated, I decided to take a deep breath and make a detailed schedule weekly. Included in this schedule were time slots dedicated to activities, homework, and healthy habits. I knew that for this season, at least, I needed to keep distractions to a minimum so that I could excel at the priorities I had set for myself.
The hard part was actually sticking to it. Often, I would use the excuse that I was too tired, but my parents did not really fall for it. As college decision season approached, I was reminded of the importance of a strong academic record for both acceptance into the University I was hoping to attend as well as scholarship opportunities. That was the turning point for my academic career. I knew that I had to step up my game and improve my grades so that I would receive scholarships from potential schools. This motivator worked to push me to improve my grades, and I am proud to say I have received scholarships because of the changes I made.
I have no doubt that I will continue to face challenges, both academically and in my career, but I know of a plan that works, and one which I will continue to improve upon. No challenge will be identical, but I am ready for whatever lies ahead of me.