Disorganization Save My College Career by Denise

Disorganization Save My College Career by Denise - May 2015 Scholarship Essay

I am a nontraditional student. I wanted to earn a degree and at the tender age of 39 returned to college. I had no idea how to actually focus on what was important in the class room and what could be weeded out. I just showed up on the day classes started with every book for every class. I noticed right away that no one else brought their books and that I looked like everyone's mom who thought her college student had left books at home so I brought them. I got noticed. But it was good to be seen through young eyes as mercy was taken upon me and my disorganization saved my college career.

After that first blunder of a day, one of my peers talked to me about what I would need, how I would organize, and what I would not need. I was informed that I would need a planner to organize my classes, assignments, test days, etc. I was also informed that unless specifically instructed I did not need to bring my books to class but could gladly leave those at home. I also learned that if I organized my assignments in my planner I would not be taken by surprise that a project, paper, or test was coming up.

I listened intently to my peer turned friend as she went on to also tell me a not-so-secret, secret. I could do my assignments ahead of time and have some free weekends during the semester because the syllabus outlined all that was due and could be completed any time for the most part. I just had to turn in my assignments on time and check them off the list.

I earned a 4.0, graduated May 2014, and I was recently accepted into graduate school and start on May 19, 2015. If I had not set such a bad example of what not to do I may never have the experiences of so much success! I believe that this essay, if shared, can help other students.