Striving for a Calling: Balancing Motivation and Focus in an Academic Pursuit by Chloe

Striving for a Calling: Balancing Motivation and Focus in an Academic Pursuit by Chloe - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

From the time I was a child pandering to injured strays in the neighborhood, my yearning to become a veterinarian has been the beacon guiding me toward my academic goals. My name is Chloe Gagnon, a rising freshman at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, UT, where I aim to major in Animal Sciences. This dream of mine, combined with my deep love for animals, fuels my continual motivation and relentless determination.

Passion is what defines motivation, and in my case, it manifests in the form of advocating for and attending to animals' health needs. For as long as I can remember, I've been inherently drawn to animals. Their silent loyalty, their untainted purity, their implicit trust in humans – it engrosses me. I envision a future where I can make a tangible difference in their lives, and this lofty aspiration motivates me to pursue my academic goals persistently.

However, aspiration without direction is as formidable as a ship without a compass. It is easy to be consumed by the rigors of academic requirements and lose sight of the ultimate goal. This is where my mantra of focus comes in. How do I stay on track? I do this by repeating my work over and over until it transmutes to muscle memory. Regardless of the subject, I spend countless hours thoroughly understanding concepts; not merely memorizing them, but grasping the extensive links between different concepts. This relentless repetition strengthens my understanding, thus forming a robust knowledge foundation that keeps me firmly aimed at my future career aspirations.

Moreover, I find that my concentration is bolstered when I connect my academic studies with the milieu I aspire to enter. My interest in Animal Sciences is not abstract; it has practical applications in the field I am eager to join. By constantly reminding myself of how every academic interest or course directly correlates with my aspiring vocation, I maintain focus and visualize the bigger picture beyond the immediacy of homework and tests.

Alongside this, maintaining a healthy balance between academia and personal life helps keep the burnout at bay. To ensure this, I visualize my academic path not as a sprint, but as a marathon. Understanding that learning is an ongoing process rather than a race allows me to pace myself, avoid burnout, and stay motivated and focused on my long-term goal.

Entering as a first-time college student with a sturdy high school GPA of 3.97, I am unwavering in my determination to succeed. The privilege of being awarded the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship would significantly aid my pursuit of becoming a veterinarian, ensuring that I can focus on my studies without undue financial stress.

In conclusion, the desire to serve animals as a committed veterinarian is what propels me to keep pursuing my academic goals, and the perseverance to repeat and internalize my studies helps maintain my focus. I believe that this dynamic blend of motivation and unfaltering attention primes me not only to succeed academically but also to make the significant impact on the veterinary field that I have always dreamt of.