My life Lesson by Drew

My life Lesson by Drew - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

In life we learn lots of lessons, whether it is from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or even friends. The most important lesson I have learned is from a teacher, and the lesson is to never give up when it starts to get hard. I have had hard times in life, especially during school, with sports, school work, tests etc..

One day my teacher came up to me and asked me what was going on, because my grades were falling rapidly (especially during math) and I told him i was having a difficult time juggling sports, school work and then on top of that all the test that were occurring at that particular time. I told him, “maybe I am not good enough to continue because my grades are way to low to bring them up to a passing grade”. That's when I learned the most important lesson of my life. He told me not to give up because if I give up when it is rough then how am I ever going to continue in life. Overcoming obstacles is part of life’s journey. That is where I gained a valuable lesson, putting in the time necessary to achieve my goals, and that quitting does not accomplish anything when it gets rough. That only contributed the feeling like I was defeated. You see I allowed my medical diagnosis of having ADD, which influenced my academic grades--that was until I utilized my teacher's advice and put it into action.

Ever since that defining moment when the teacher encouraged me to never give up, I took a new look at what I loved to do the most and that was playing basketball for my school and the importance of academics for my future. I have decided that sports isn’t everything in life, and that there is a balance needed. After that, I focused on my academic work and committed to getting tutoring daily for the next 5 years. My grades improved rapidly, not only a passing grade that year but to my current grades of A’s and B’s in my educational path. My GPA is at an all time best, and giving up is now never an option I even consider in life’s choices. The following the basketball season my basketball coach came up to me and tried to get me to play basketball again. My confident immediate response was “ thanks for the offer and opportunity, but I need to focus on my academic school work and I just do not have enough time anymore to do that.” He understood my decision. My gratitude to the things my teacher had instilled in me such as: cooperation, teamwork, dedication, respect for others and most of all sacrifice helped me gain the strength to work hard to achieve my academic goals.

Teachers are not just people who stand up in front of a class and teach kids they also help them when needed. They are our lifetime friends, and will be there for you no matter what even when you have to make tough choices in our lives.That is my most important lesson I have learned from a school teacher.