School Projects Are What You Make of Them by Faith

School Projects Are What You Make of Them by Faith - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

I am a very indecisive person. I take forever to make decisions, and I second guess myself all the time. This information may make me seem unreliable when it comes to completing a task, but it actually has the opposite effect: I feel motivated to be more constructive. I think that I am very productive, especially when it comes to my school work. I consider school projects to be my specialty, and I have narrowed my strategy down to a science.
Usually, my school projects coincide with reading a book or completing research on a topic. If I get to pick the book or research topic, I like to brainstorm multiple ideas. I break down the different parts of the project prompt and meditate on possible topics. I want to pick a topic that best fits the project. I like to get that part out of the way fairly early on in the project span, so that I can get started. Throughout my reading or research, I like to take notes to look at later on. I constantly keep in mind the prompt and adapt my ideas for the project. I love to read and learn new information, so I thoroughly enjoy this portion of the project. Once this step is complete, it is time to start working toward the end goal.
Now that I have completed the beginning stages, it is time for me to decide what exactly I am doing. I need to finalize the plan for my project. Generally, there are two parts for each of my school projects: a writing portion and a creative portion. I like to get the writing portion out of the way first, because it is the most challenging for me. Prior to writing the paper, I organize all of my notes. I use the notes to determine what stood out from my research the most and needs to be included in the paper. I like to designate myself one week to write. This allows me to take my time and avoid stressing out if I get stuck along the way. I do not create a strict outline for myself before writing, because I have found that my thoughts develop and change as I am drafting the paper. However, I do like to write down some specific details or quotes, so that I do not forget to include them. Once I am done with the writing process, I give myself one day to edit my work into the final product. When I have completed this section of the assignment, I am relieved and ready to move on to the next.
Creative projects are what I prefer. I believe that they have a wider range of possibilities and are easier to complete, because they are more enjoyable. The planning process for a creative project is similar to that of a writing project for me, but I prefer to give myself a little more time if possible. I want more time to perfect my work as much as possible. I record general project ideas during the research portion and finalize my topic soon after it is finished. While creative assignments are more engaging, they also require more effort and originality. I take pride in finishing a project successfully, and I try to make mine stand out from the rest by incorporating crafty “do it yourself” techniques. I also try to make the decorations on my project symbolic or relevant to the focus of the overall creation, because the information being presented it what is most important.
School projects can be overwhelming to me at times, but I always try to stay positive throughout the entire undertaking. It is vital to stay focused on the task at hand, so that I can create the most successful project possible. I believe that school projects are where I have the most control of my grade. I have the power to decide how much effort I will put in to the assignment. Personally, I always try my best, because I want to do well. School projects are not always easy, but I think that they are what I choose to make of them.