Discipline by Chris

Discipline by Chris - September 2014 Scholarship Essay

Discipline is one of the most overlooked qualities when it comes to college life, but those that have good discipline more often than not exceed those that might excel in other skills but lack discipline. College can be a troubling experience for individuals that lack discipline because they are present with more opportunities to think and act for themselves. This is a stark contradiction to high school where lives are dictated by teachers and parents or guardians. Students in college find themselves having seemingly infinite more choices in their own life than they did prior. Discipline plays an important rolls in this because students now have to control much more of their owns lives, and this includes making sure they are where they need at the right times, avoiding the temptation to party when they have work that needs to be done, and also planning out times to study.

One of the biggest problems students run into quickly while in college is time management. Students with good discipline will make sure they have all their class times mapped out while also allotting time for studying, work, etc. Students that lack discipline will run into problems here and may even miss classes because they lose track of time. A calendar is an underrated tool when it comes to college life. Whether it is on your phone or a wall calendar, keeping one will vastly improve a student's ability to keep track of all the different places they need to be. Disciplined students will learn early that keeping a calendar will make all the difference in their college life.

Perhaps the most popular aspect of college is that of partying. It is extremely easy for new freshmen to get sucked up into the party experience during the first few weeks of school, and for some it is even harder to get out of it. Disciplined students will recognize when something is not for them, and even if it results in them staying home studying instead of going out and having a good time, they will still be the winners in the end. On the opposite end of the spectrum, never going out and having fun is also detrimental. While some may go out and party every day, students who exhibit discipline will only go once their schedule is free and more often than not, have a better time because they do not have anything to worry about because they are not skipping out on anything for their good time.

Most students probably did not have to study in high school. They simply listened in class and read over a few things before the test, but college is completely different when it comes to that aspect. Studying is perhaps the most essential part of a student's college life as they're supposed to spend more time studying that even going to class. Most students simply can not make themselves do this and it is because they lack the discipline. The students who have already disciplined themselves will study the material and make sure they have it as soon as the class is over. It may take a full semester or even a year for some students to realize how much they need to study, but the very few students who have disciplined themselves prior to college will be able to keep their study schedule going throughout their entire college experience.

College can an overwhelming experience for many students. Many are able to adapt and make their way through it while some are not, but those with discipline are the ones that can adapt to the change. With so much extra free time and responsibility, it is no surprise that disciplined students are the ones that rise to the top and can complete college without near as much stress as undisciplined students. Spotting a disciplined student can be easy even throughout a big campus because while other students appear groggy and stressed, the disciplined students will be the ones well-rested and ready to go about their day.